Windows 11 debloat: Flyoobe 1.40 removes bloatware and Microsoft Copilot directly during installation

The ongoing integration of non-deselectable, resource-intensive components into Windows 11, such as Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot, has led to the development of various tools by the developer community that enable the removal of these components.

One of these programs, Flyoobe, developed by builtbybel, is a modular toolkit that aims to give users back comprehensive control over the installation process. The application (current version: 1.40), whose name is derived from the "out-of-box experience" (OOBE), merges the original functions of the well-known Flyby11 upgrader assistant with a comprehensive debloater and tweak toolkit.

Pre-emptive cleanup when installing Windows

The key new feature of the recent update to version 1.40.564 is the option of carrying out a preventive system cleanup. According to developer builtbybel, the new overview page lists all Microsoft OOBE apps and system components, enabling the targeted deactivation and uninstallation of bloatware directly before the first system startup. This early intervention avoids the subsequent removal of unnecessary software deeply integrated into the system and is intended to potentially increase system stability compared to post-installation debloaters.

Particular attention is paid to the removal of AI features. While Microsoft is steadily deepening the integration of Copilot into the operating system, Flyoobe now offers a direct way to prevent this integration. The tool's configurations can completely disable the AI features, thereby preventing both resource consumption and potentially privacy-relevant telemetry activities from the outset.

Four presets for maximum control

The tool structures its diverse customization options across four selectable presets that cover different requirement profiles:

• Minimal setting: This option eliminates only the most obvious advertising bloatware.
• Full version: This configuration results in a radical reduction in system scope. It also uninstalls core apps such as Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and even the Microsoft Store, creating an extremely lean Windows foundation for specialized applications.
• Gaming PCs: An optimized profile that aims to free up maximum system resources for games by disabling unnecessary background services.
• Privacy-oriented presets: This comprehensive option primarily disables all telemetry and synchronization services, ensuring a maximally isolated Windows environment.

Bypass-debloat duality

The technical complexity of Flyoobe lies in combining the Debloat approach with the original function of Flyby11: bypassing hardware restrictions. The tool continues to enable the installation of Windows 11 on unofficially supported hardware by circumventing checks for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and non-qualified CPUs.

Builtbybel positions this bypass capability as an environmentally friendly approach to preventing premature electronic waste and promoting user freedom, but it requires careful consideration, as bypassing official system requirements can lead to problems such as missing security updates or reduced system stability. Hence, users who utilize these features should inform themselves of the potential risks.

The integration of these two core features—hardware bypass and software debloat—into Flyoobe 1.40 makes it one of the most comprehensive configuration tools for Microsoft's operating system currently available.