No, the W10 Creators update does not include Bloatware.
No, the W10 Creators update does not include Bloatware.
After stewing on this a little, here's another point: why would Microsoft push a third party AV when they have an AV themselves? And even if the EU forced Microsoft to advertise other AVs, they wouldn't install some third party AV for you, they'd just give you a list of options. Or something.
Review the Task Scheduler. I noticed in some Windows 7 images that after removing Avast, a "Windows 10 update" pop-up would still appear. It turns out the scheduled task window remained active even without Avast installed.
Upgrading Windows can trigger automatic reinstallation of certain programs based on the setup configurations. The installation process reads the setup script, verifies files, and configures the registry accordingly. If a bug exists—such as bundling Avast or another tool—it might install alongside your chosen software. Alternatively, if you removed a program and the uninstaller failed to fully remove it, Windows may detect the original setup and reinstall it. Windows 10 includes Universal Apps as a small amount of bloatware; these are isolated in sandboxes, allowing clean removal when you choose not to install them. This approach benefits Microsoft by ensuring secure, efficient removal without leaving traces, supports the UWP platform, and promotes services like Facebook, Twitter, and Candy Crush. These apps are typically available only during the first login or account creation, ensuring a fresh installation.