Choose a thin version of Windows 10 or opt for a straightforward, minimal Linux setup.
Choose a thin version of Windows 10 or opt for a straightforward, minimal Linux setup.
I want to make Windows 10 lighter and more tailored to my needs. I feel there’s too much unnecessary software and the interface doesn’t match what I prefer. I’m open to suggestions on how to personalize it without relying on multiple apps. Ideally, it should resemble a Linux environment while keeping the original Windows foundation intact—like file types staying consistent. If customization isn’t an option, I might consider switching to Linux, as I’ve experimented with it before and have some experience. I’ve tried installing it on a Chromebook a couple of times (dual boot with Chrome OS and Ubuntu), but I’m not sure which version is best for someone just starting out. So far, I’m leaning toward POP! OS or Manjaro, keeping things simple and lightweight without heavy terminal work.
I always optimize any operating system on my newly assembled PC. I’ve done this with Windows 10 too—it only uses about 1.2GB of RAM when you first boot. My approach is to identify unused services or programs, disable them, or remove them entirely. I also use Blackbird to block Windows telemetry and other monitoring features. What counts as unnecessary varies from person to person. Gather the apps and services you wish to eliminate and look for online tutorials on how to do it. It’s simple: just turn off a service, or you’ll need to adjust settings in the registry or use Gpedit. When I have Windows configured exactly how I like it on a particular machine, I take a snapshot for safety since doing this manually can be time-consuming and complex.
System changes to Windows can often cause instability with each release. Even minor updates like the uxtheme patch may affect performance. To achieve a unique appearance, consider using different software and overlays instead of standard tools. This usually results in a heavier Windows experience. On Linux, KDE Plasma tends to use fewer resources compared to GNOME, matching or surpassing other options such as lxqt and xfce. However, KDE Plasma comes with more dependencies, meaning more packages are needed. Determining what counts as lightweight depends on your preferences; highly pre-set systems tend to be heavier in both package count and resource usage. If you desire strong customization, the KDE Desktop Environment is a good choice. For a straightforward, low-maintenance setup, GNOME is ideal. For robust out-of-box support with minimal tweaks, Ubuntu-based distros are recommended. PopOS offers regular updates but requires manual configuration. Manjaro provides frequent updates while allowing manual adjustments. Arch empowers users to manage their environment fully. Ultimately, explore several desktop environments and distributions to find what suits your needs best.
I’ve chosen to test Pop OS first. If I don’t like it, I’ll probably just reinstall Windows 10 again. It might be simpler to downgrade it if it’s not what I want.
The goal of clearing out de-bloating windows is to lighten the system by eliminating unnecessary services and telemetry tools like gpedit. The outcome isn’t a heavier Windows—it’s the opposite. I’ve done this for years, and it really improves performance.
Review more before sharing. I didn’t mean debloating would increase resource usage. The person asking was discussing heavily tailoring Windows 10 to resemble Linux, which would need Desktop Overlays and different programs. The original poster likely expected that would be needed.
Yeah, I actually tried POP OS but ran into some issues. For example, my Wi-Fi card didn’t work properly. So I went back to a brand new Windows 10 installation, uninstalled it, and everything seems fine now. Also, the warnings about not debloating are worth noting—my customization tools would consume too many resources. If you debloat it, you’ll use less CPU and RAM than usual, which frees up space for your programs. It might not boost your FPS, but you can still personalize it without extra memory or processing power.