After a reboot, Windows skips loading those components, effectively removing them.
: Stripping components marked as "Permanent" breaks the dependency tree of the Windows Component Store. Future cumulative Windows Updates will fail to install, resulting in error codes like 0x800f081f .
Example to hide Windows Defender:
install-wim-tweak.exe is considered . Most users today prefer:
Offers a complete visual suite to configure components, remove tracking, and integrate drivers. PowerShell / CLI install-wim-tweak.exe
The tool is the result of a community-driven evolution. It was originally created by Michał Wnuowski (alias wnuku ) in 2008, who conceived the idea of "un-hiding" Windows packages. The concept was later expanded upon by another community member, Aviv00 , in 2011.
: Often used to bypass the "Owners" keys in the registry that prevent DISM from deleting certain system components. Common Usage & Syntax After a reboot, Windows skips loading those components,
Limitation: Cannot touch protected system packages.
: While it is widely used for Windows 7, 8, and early versions of Windows 10, some modern debloating scripts (like Win10BloatRemover ) have phased it out in newer Windows 10/11 versions (e.g., version 1903 and later) because it can cause system bugs and broken Start menu icons. Example to hide Windows Defender: install-wim-tweak