Windows 11 version

[itgeek]

Hi,

 

I am just starting planning a new Windows 11 image and start deployment from windows 10. Please can you give me recommendations for the following please?

 

Currently using WDS version 10.0.17763.1 and MDT

Windows 11 version education version ect?

Microsoft Office version 2024?

 

 

And any other settings you would recommend? removing apps etc.

 

 

Thanks in advance

[3s-gtech]

Don't bother with anything other than 24H2 if you're starting fresh now. It's okay, mature enough, and you will have a longer support window.

 

WDS/MDT just worked for me, from a build from 2022. Update as necessary, but it tends to work.

 

Office 2024 if you won't miss Publisher, otherwise 2021.

 

Yes, you'll want to remove apps. Do it post install in the TS, or via GP.

[mikes]

We are making an image using 24H2. Not had any problems so far apart from SCCM not wanting to deploy a few apps which I'm investigating but am not an SCCM expert. But agreed I wouldn't bother with anything earlier, it'll only end up having to do updates unnecessarily in the future.

[itgeek]

Thanks for the reply.

 

What script do you use to remove all the apps xbox etc?

[mikes]

Am experimenting with these powershell commands

 

Get-AppxPackage *amd* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *gaming* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *feedback* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *BingNews* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *GetHelp* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *phone* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

 

Basically it searches for packages with those strings and removes them for all users. I have ran them manually for now on a test machine but am testing adding them to the build. The AMD one is for the AMD Catalyst software that seems to come with the PC build/driver.

Am using AppLocker and GPO's for the rest of the restrictions.

Got a lot more work to do as there's other crap in the start menu as well.

 

I also replaced an XML file to get rid of the Edge pin but I can't remember exactly how sorry.

 

Bear in mind there might be side effects - removing the *gaming* one has made Minecraft Education pop up an error about the overlay when you run it - it still does run though.

 

I wish there was a standard school build - but everyone does things differently - we are still on SCCM not Intune or anything like that!

Edited January 28, 2025 by mikes

[jthompson]

You probably want to use Get-AppxProvisionedPackage and Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage as well as or instead of.

[CHiLL]

I don't remove AppX packages anymore, in fear it might break something else in the future if it's not there (like removing the Store did back in the day). Instead I have AppX restrictions in place preventing users from launching the applications. It does mean they still appear in the Start menu, but they're harmless there.