WIMSimple for Windows 11

WIMsimple is a free tool designed to help simplify the deployment of Windows 11 by removing pre-installed apps and unwanted image indexes, speeding up the overall OSD process.

This script automates many of the common tasks involved, making the process more efficient and streamlined.

What is WIMSimple?

As of V1.0.0, My WIMSimple PowerShell script is designed to streamline the process of managing Windows images (WIM files) by automating various tasks such as mounting Windows 11 ISO files, extracting WIM files, removing unwanted apps/packages and injecting drivers into the image.

Let’s delve into the key components of the script:

  • Mounting and Extracting: The script automates the process of mounting an ISO file, extracting the WIM file from it, and copying it to a designated directory.
  • Removing Unwanted Apps & Components: Using the DISM module, the script allows users to remove unnecessary Indexes and packages from the WIM file, streamlining it for specific use cases.
  • Injecting Drivers: The script enables you to select a folder and inject the drivers directly into the WIM file.

Remove built in apps from Windows 11

WIMSimple allows you to remove unwanted or unnecessary system apps, before you deploy it to your client machines. Using the DISM process, the script will offer you 3 options;

Optimise for Education 
This option removes the majority of pre-installed apps from the Image based on what i believe is suitable for and education image, for example anything Xbox related is removed, along with the Microsoft Office Hub (conflicts with Microsoft365 deployments)

Full List of apps that will be removed

  • Microsoft.WindowsMaps
  • Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI
  • Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay
  • Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay
  • Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider
  • Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay
  • Microsoft.BingNews
  • Microsoft.BingWeather
  • MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist
  • Microsoft.ZuneVideo
  • Microsoft.ZuneMusic
  • Microsoft.YourPhone
  • Microsoft.WindowsTerminal
  • Microsoft.WindowsAlarms
  • Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub
  • Microsoft.Todos
  • Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop
  • Microsoft.People
  • Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub
  • Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection
  • Microsoft.Getstarted
  • Microsoft.GetHelp
  • Microsoft.GamingApp

Manually Remove Apps
If this option is selected, the script will loop through each app on the image and ask if you’d like to remove it (Y/N)

Don’t Remove Apps
Use this option if you don’t want to remove any system apps

Inject Drivers into Windows 11 .WIM File

WIMsimple allows you to inject drivers from a driver pack folder, directly into the WIM file. Simply choose the option to inject drivers, browse to your driver folder and let the script do the rest.

 

How to use WIMSimple for Windows 11

I have created a full step by step guide available here

 

Troubleshooting

The script should work out of the box however there may be times where it fails or closes unexpectedly. If the image fails to dismount you can manually unmount the image using

Dismount-WindowsImage -imagepath C:\WIMSIMPLE\STAGING -Discard

and run the script again.