How to perform a truly clean install of Windows 11
If you've ever bought a new PC (windows 11), you may have noticed that it comes with a lot of pre-installed software that you don't need or want. This is called bloatware and can slow down your system, take up valuable disk space, and expose you to security risks. Bloatware is not a new problem, but it has gotten worse over the years. In the past, bloatware primarily came from third-party vendors who paid PC manufacturers to include their products in new machines. These were often trial versions of antivirus programs, games or media players urging you to upgrade or purchase the full version.
But now, the biggest culprit of bloatware is itself Microsoft. The company has been adding more and more unwanted apps and features to Windows 10, making it difficult to enjoy a clean and simple user experience. When you install Windows 10 from scratch, you'll find apps like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Facebook in your Start menu, even if you never use them. You'll also see ads for Microsoft's own services, such as OneDrive, Office 365, and Skype. And don't forget Solitaire, the classic card game that now requires a subscription to remove annoying ads.
This is unacceptable for a modern operating system that aims to be fast, secure and easy to use. Microsoft should respect its customers' choices and preferences and not force them to use applications and services they don't want or need. Bloatware is not only a nuisance, but also a potential threat to your privacy and security. It can consume your bandwidth, drain your battery, and expose you to malware or phishing attacks. It can also make it difficult to troubleshoot or customize system settings.
That's why many users opt for a clean install of Windows, which means erasing everything on their PC and installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 from an official source. This way, you can avoid all the bloatware and start from scratch. However, this process is not easy or convenient for everyone. It requires some technical skills and time, and may void your warranty or cause compatibility issues with some hardware or software.
There has to be a better way. Microsoft should give its users the option to choose which apps and features they want to install on their PCs and which ones they want to skip. This would give users more control over their own devices and improve their satisfaction and loyalty. It would also benefit Microsoft in the long run by reducing the number of complaints and support requests from dissatisfied customers.
Bloatware is a problem that needs a solution. Microsoft should stop adding unnecessary apps and features to Windows 10 and let users decide what they want on their PCs. This would make Windows 10 a better operating system for everyone.
How to install Windows 11 without bloatware
If you want to install Windows 11 without any unwanted software, there is a simple trick you can use. I learned this from a post by Daniel Aleksandersen, who explained that the installer will add different programs depending on your region. But if you don't choose a region, the installer won't know what to add.
I tried this trick myself and it worked perfectly. These are the steps you must follow. First, install Windows 11 as usual, but when you get to the screen where you need to choose the time and currency format, select English (World) instead of your actual country. This will prevent the installer from adding regional software.
If you followed the steps in the previous section, you should have a bootable USB drive with Windows 11. Now, you need to connect it to your computer and reboot it. Make sure to change the boot order in the BIOS settings to boot from the USB drive first.
The installer will launch and guide you through the Windows 11 installation process. You will need to accept the license agreement, choose a partition to install, and enter your Microsoft account details. The installer will copy the files and restart your computer several times.
At some point, you may encounter a problem. Instead of seeing the welcome screen where you can customize your settings, you may see a blue screen with an ice cream cone on the ground and the words "Something went wrong" at the top. Below that, you will see an error code that says "OOBEREGION." What does this mean and how can it be solved?
The error code “OOBEREGION” means “out-of-the-box experience region.” The out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) is the part of the installation where you can choose your language, region, keyboard layout, privacy settings, and other options. The error means that the OOBE could not start because it could not detect which region it is in.
This can happen for several reasons, such as corrupted installation media, faulty network connection, or misconfigured BIOS settings. To resolve this issue, you must do one of the following:
– Restart your computer and try again. Sometimes this error is temporary and can be fixed by simply restarting your computer.
– Recreate your installation media. If your USB drive is damaged or missing files, you may need to download the Windows 11 ISO file again and use a tool like Rufus to create a new bootable USB drive.
– Check your network connection. If you are using a wired or wireless connection, make sure it is stable and working properly. You may need to unplug and reconnect your cable or router, or use a different network.
– Change your BIOS settings. If your BIOS settings prevent OOBE from detecting your region, you may need to change it. For example, you may need to enable or disable Secure Boot, Legacy Boot, or UEFI Boot options. You may also need to update your BIOS firmware to the latest version.
If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or visit a local service center for further assistance. We hope this article helped you understand and fix the OOBEREGION error on Windows 11 installation. For more tips and tricks on Windows 11, stay tuned to our blog.