Windows Update Autoinstalling Bloatware on Laptops

[Kaladryn]

On some laptops, a large amount of bloatware is baked into windows update, when doing a winutil iso install (following Chris's latest instructions on his video) I find it unavoidable that all that bloatware is reinstalled.

What can I do differently or could the iso be made differently (perhaps by default would be a good idea?) so that each update has to be confirmed before it is installed?

Sorry if this is a noob question, I searched for this issue but didn't see anything relevant. This issue doesn't come up on my desktops because I built them myself and windows update doesn't try to autoinstall bloatware...

[Kaladryn]

I thought it might be appropriate to post the workaround I used and it now only autoupdates critical stuff. This was generated by chatgpt after some badgering (initial stuff it came up with didn't work) and these steps worked well for me.

1. Notify for download (don’t auto-install)

gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage end user experience → Configure Automatic Updates → Enabled → choose 2 – Notify for download and auto install → Apply.

2. Exclude drivers from Windows Update (blocks the Acer “SoftwareComponent/Extension” flood)

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage updates offered from Windows Update → Do not include drivers with Windows Updates → Enabled.

3. Don’t fetch OEM device metadata over the internet (icons/manufacturer fluff)

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation → Prevent device metadata retrieval from the Internet → Enabled.

4. (Optional, to stop “consumer experience” app suggestions)

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Cloud Content → Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences → Enabled.

After changing policies: run gpupdate /force and reboot.