New features & additions

* Added option to hide gallery section from File Explorer
* Disabling telemetry now also disables activity history
* Disabling suggestions now also disables 'Show me notifications in the Settings app'
* Updated info page & README

Get.ps1

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ param (
     [switch]$ClearStart,
     [switch]$ClearStartAllUsers,
     [switch]$RevertContextMenu,
+    [switch]$HideGallery,
     [switch]$DisableOnedrive, [switch]$HideOnedrive,
     [switch]$Disable3dObjects, [switch]$Hide3dObjects,
     [switch]$DisableMusic, [switch]$HideMusic,

Menus/Info

@@ -10,22 +10,24 @@ through all the settings yourself, or removing apps one by one!
  All Features
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 App Removal
-- Remove a wide variety of bloatware apps
+- Remove a wide variety of bloatware apps.
 - Remove all pinned apps from start for the current user, or for all new & existing users. (Windows 11 only)
 
-Telemetry & Suggested Content
+Telemetry, Tracking & Suggested Content
-- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
+- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
 - Disable tips, tricks, suggestions & ads across Windows.
 
 Bing, Copilot & More
-- Disable & remove bing search & cortana in Windows search.
+- Disable & remove bing web search & cortana from Windows search.
 - Disable Windows Copilot. (Windows 11 only)
 - Disable Windows Recall snapshots. (Windows 11 only)
 
-Windows Explorer
+File Explorer
 - Show hidden files, folders & drives.
 - Show file extensions for known file types.
-- Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer navigation pane.
+- Hide the gallery section from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 11 only)
+- Hide the 3D objects, music or onedrive folder from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer sidepanel.
 
 Taskbar
 - Align taskbar icons to the left. (Windows 11 only)
@@ -36,8 +38,10 @@ Taskbar
 
 Context menu
 - Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. (Windows 11 only)
-- Hide the 3D objects, music or onedrive folder in the Windows explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' & 'Share' options from the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
-- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' & 'Share' options in the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
+
+Other
+- Disable Xbox game/screen recording (Also stops gaming overlay popups)
 
 Advanced Features
 - Sysprep mode to apply changes to the Windows Default user profile.
@@ -47,13 +51,13 @@ Advanced Features
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The default mode applies the changes that are recommended for most users, this includes:
 - Remove the default selection of apps, the list can be found in the 'Appslist.txt' file.
-- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
+- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
-- Disable & remove bing search & cortana in Windows search.
+- Disable & remove bing web search & cortana from Windows search.
 - Disable tips, tricks, suggestions & ads across Windows.
 - Disable Windows Copilot. (Windows 11 only)
 - Show file extensions for known file types.
 - Disable the widget service & hide the icon from the taskbar. 
 - Hide the Chat (meet now) icon from the taskbar.
-- Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in windows explorer. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' from File Explorer. (Windows 10 only)
-- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' and 'Share' options in the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' and 'Share' options from the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
 

README.md

@@ -16,24 +16,31 @@ You can pick and choose exactly which modifications you want the script to make,
 > Select the custom mode to customize the script to your needs or select the [default mode](#default-mode) to apply the recommended changes.
 
 #### App Removal
-- Remove a wide variety of bloatware apps
+
+- Remove a wide variety of bloatware apps.
 - Remove all pinned apps from start for the current user, or for all existing & new users. (Windows 11 only)
 
-#### Telemetry & Suggested Content
+#### Telemetry, Tracking & Suggested Content
-- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
+
-- Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications, Windows explorer, and on the lockscreen.
+- Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
+- Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications, File Explorer, and on the lockscreen.
 
 #### Bing Web Search, Copilot & More
-- Disable & remove bing search & cortana in Windows search.
+
+- Disable & remove bing web search & cortana from Windows search.
 - Disable Windows Copilot. (Windows 11 only)
 - Disable Windows Recall snapshots. (Windows 11 only)
 
-#### Windows Explorer
+#### File Explorer
+
 - Show hidden files, folders and drives.
 - Show file extensions for known file types.
-- Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer navigation pane, so only the entry under 'This PC' remains.
+- Hide the gallery section from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 11 only)
+- Hide the 3D objects, music or onedrive folder from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer sidepanel, so only the entry under 'This PC' remains.
 
 #### Taskbar
+
 - Align taskbar icons to the left. (Windows 11 only)
 - Hide or change the search icon/box on the taskbar. (Windows 11 only)
 - Hide the taskview button from the taskbar. (Windows 11 only)
@@ -41,14 +48,16 @@ You can pick and choose exactly which modifications you want the script to make,
 - Hide the chat (meet now) icon from the taskbar.
 
 #### Context Menu
+
 - Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. (Windows 11 only)
-- Hide the 3D objects, music or onedrive folder in the Windows explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only)
+- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' and 'Share' options from the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
-- Hide the 'Include in library', 'Give access to' and 'Share' options in the context menu. (Windows 10 only)
 
 #### Other
+
 - Disable Xbox game/screen recording (Also stops gaming overlay popups)
 
 #### Advanced Features
+
 - Sysprep mode to apply changes to the Windows Default user profile.
 
 ## Default Mode
@@ -61,12 +70,12 @@ The default mode applies the changes that are recommended for most users, expand
     
     Default mode applies the following changes:
     - Remove the default selection of bloatware apps. (See below for full list)
-    - Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
+    - Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads.
-    - Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications, Windows explorer, and on the lockscreen.
+    - Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications, File Explorer, and on the lockscreen.
-    - Disable & remove bing search & cortana in Windows search.
+    - Disable & remove bing web search & cortana from Windows search.
     - Disable Windows Copilot. (Windows 11 only)
     - Show file extensions for known file types.
-    - Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in Windows explorer. (Windows 10 only)
+    - Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' from File Explorer. (Windows 10 only)
     - Disable the widget service & hide the icon from the taskbar.
     - Hide the Chat (meet now) icon from the taskbar.
   </blockquote>
@@ -227,14 +236,17 @@ Download & run the script automatically via powershell.
 
 1. Open powershell as an administrator.
 2. Copy and paste the code below into powershell, press enter to run the script:
+
 ```powershell
 & ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat/master/Get.ps1")))
 ```
+
 3. Wait for the script to automatically download Win11Debloat.
 4. A new powershell window will open showing the Win11Debloat menu. Select either the default or custom mode to continue.
 5. Carefully read through and follow the on-screen instructions.
 
 This method supports [parameters](#parameters). To use parameters simply run the script as explained above, but add the parameters at the end with spaces in between. Example:
+
 ```powershell
 & ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat/master/Get.ps1"))) -RunDefaults -Silent
 ```
@@ -257,18 +269,23 @@ Manually download the script & run the script via powershell. Only recommended f
 1. [Download the latest version of the script](https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat/archive/master.zip), and extract the .ZIP file to your desired location.
 2. Open powershell as an administrator.
 3. Enable powershell execution by entering the following command:
+
 ```powershell
 Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process
 ```
+
 4. In powershell, navigate to the directory where the files were extracted. Example: `cd c:\Win11Debloat`
 5. Now run the script by entering the following command:
+
 ```powershell
 .\Win11Debloat.ps1
 ```
+
 6. The Win11Debloat menu will now open. Select either the default or custom setup to continue.
 7. Carefully read through and follow the on-screen instructions.
 
 This method supports [parameters](#parameters). To use parameters simply run the script as explained above, but add the parameters at the end with spaces in between. Example:
+
 ```powershell
 .\Win11Debloat.ps1 -RemoveApps -DisableBing -Silent
 ```
@@ -294,12 +311,12 @@ The quick and advanced method support parameters to tailor the behaviour of the
 | -ClearStartAllUsers                |    Remove all pinned apps from start for all existing and new users. (Windows 11 update 22H2 or later only) |
 | -DisableTelemetry                  |    Disable telemetry, diagnostic data & targeted ads. |
 | -DisableBing                       |    Disable & remove bing web search, bing AI & cortana in Windows search. |
-| -DisableSuggestions                |    Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications and Windows explorer. |
+| -DisableSuggestions                |    Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications and File Explorer. |
 | <pre>-DisableLockscreenTips</pre>  |    Disable tips & tricks on the lockscreen. |
 | -RevertContextMenu                 |    Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. (Windows 11 only) |
 | -ShowHiddenFolders                 |    Show hidden files, folders and drives. |
 | -ShowKnownFileExt                  |    Show file extensions for known file types. |
-| -HideDupliDrive                    |    Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer navigation pane, so only the entry under 'This PC' remains. |
+| -HideDupliDrive                    |    Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer sidepanel, so only the entry under 'This PC' remains. |
 | -TaskbarAlignLeft                  |    Align taskbar icons to the left. (Windows 11 only) |
 | -HideSearchTb                      |    Hide search icon from the taskbar. (Windows 11 only) |
 | -ShowSearchIconTb                  |    Show search icon on the taskbar. (Windows 11 only) |
@@ -310,9 +327,10 @@ The quick and advanced method support parameters to tailor the behaviour of the
 | -DisableWidgets                    |    Disable the widget service & hide the widget (news and interests) icon from the taskbar. |
 | -DisableCopilot                    |    Disable Windows copilot. (Windows 11 only) |
 | -DisableRecall                     |    Disable Windows Recall snapshots. (Windows 11 only) |
-| -HideOnedrive                      |    Hide the onedrive folder in the Windows explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only) |
+| -HideGallery                       |    Hide the gallery section from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 11 only) |
-| -Hide3dObjects                     |    Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in Windows explorer. (Windows 10 only) |
+| -HideOnedrive                      |    Hide the onedrive folder from the File Explorer sidepanel. (Windows 10 only) |
-| -HideMusic                         |    Hide the music folder under 'This pc' in Windows explorer. (Windows 10 only) |
+| -Hide3dObjects                     |    Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in File Explorer. (Windows 10 only) |
+| -HideMusic                         |    Hide the music folder under 'This pc' in File Explorer. (Windows 10 only) |
 | -HideIncludeInLibrary              |    Hide the 'Include in library' option in the context menu. (Windows 10 only) |
 | -HideGiveAccessTo                  |    Hide the 'Give access to' option in the context menu. (Windows 10 only) |
 | -HideShare                         |    Hide the 'Share' option in the context menu. (Windows 10 only) |

Win11Debloat.ps1

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ param (
     [switch]$ClearStart,
     [switch]$ClearStartAllUsers,
     [switch]$RevertContextMenu,
+    [switch]$HideGallery,
     [switch]$DisableOnedrive, [switch]$HideOnedrive,
     [switch]$Disable3dObjects, [switch]$Hide3dObjects,
     [switch]$DisableMusic, [switch]$HideMusic,
@@ -396,9 +397,9 @@ function RegImport {
 }
 
 
-# Restart the Windows explorer process
+# Restart the Windows Explorer process
 function RestartExplorer {
-    Write-Output "> Restarting Windows explorer to apply all changes. Note: This may cause some flickering."
+    Write-Output "> Restarting Windows Explorer process to apply all changes... (This may cause some flickering)"
 
     # Only restart if the powershell process matches the OS architecture
     # Restarting explorer from a 32bit Powershell window will fail on a 64bit OS
@@ -407,7 +408,7 @@ function RestartExplorer {
         Stop-Process -processName: Explorer -Force
     }
     else {
-        Write-Warning "Unable to restart Windows Explorer, please manually restart your PC to apply all changes."
+        Write-Warning "Unable to restart Windows Explorer process, please manually restart your PC to apply all changes."
     }
 }
 
@@ -806,7 +807,6 @@ if ((-not $global:Params.Count) -or $RunDefaults -or $RunWin11Defaults -or ($SPP
                         Write-Host " (1) Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for this user only ($([Environment]::UserName))" -ForegroundColor Yellow
                         Write-Host " (2) Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for all existing and new users"  -ForegroundColor Yellow
                         $ClearStartInput = Read-Host "Remove all pinned apps from the start menu? This cannot be reverted (n/1/2)" 
-                        Write-Output ""
                     }
                     while ($ClearStartInput -ne 'n' -and $ClearStartInput -ne '0' -and $ClearStartInput -ne '1' -and $ClearStartInput -ne '2') 
     
@@ -824,14 +824,14 @@ if ((-not $global:Params.Count) -or $RunDefaults -or $RunWin11Defaults -or ($SPP
 
             Write-Output ""
 
-            if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking and targeted ads? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+            if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking and targeted ads? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                AddParameter 'DisableTelemetry' 'Disable telemetry, diagnostic data & targeted ads'
+                AddParameter 'DisableTelemetry' 'Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads'
             }
 
             Write-Output ""
 
             if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications, explorer and lockscreen? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                AddParameter 'DisableSuggestions' 'Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications and Windows explorer'
+                AddParameter 'DisableSuggestions' 'Disable tips, tricks, suggestions and ads in start, settings, notifications and File Explorer'
                 AddParameter 'DisableLockscreenTips' 'Disable tips & tricks on the lockscreen'
             }
 
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ if ((-not $global:Params.Count) -or $RunDefaults -or $RunWin11Defaults -or ($SPP
 
             Write-Output ""
 
-            if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Do you want to make any changes to Windows explorer? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+            if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Do you want to make any changes to File Explorer? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
                 Write-Output ""
 
                 if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Show hidden files, folders and drives? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
@@ -943,33 +943,42 @@ if ((-not $global:Params.Count) -or $RunDefaults -or $RunWin11Defaults -or ($SPP
                     AddParameter 'ShowKnownFileExt' 'Show file extensions for known file types'
                 }
 
+                # Only show this option for Windows 11 users running build 22000 or later
+                if ($WinVersion -ge 22000){
+                    Write-Output ""
+
+                    if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the gallery section from the File Explorer sidepanel? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                        AddParameter 'HideGallery' 'Hide the gallery section from the File Explorer sidepanel'
+                    }
+                }
+
                 Write-Output ""
 
-                if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer sidepane so they only show under This PC? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer sidepanel so they only show under This PC? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                    AddParameter 'HideDupliDrive' 'Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer navigation pane'
+                    AddParameter 'HideDupliDrive' 'Hide duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer sidepanel'
                 }
 
                 # Only show option for disabling these specific folders for Windows 10 users
                 if (get-ciminstance -query "select caption from win32_operatingsystem where caption like '%Windows 10%'"){
                     Write-Output ""
 
-                    if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Do you want to hide any folders from the Windows explorer sidepane? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                    if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "Do you want to hide any folders from the File Explorer sidepanel? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
                         Write-Output ""
 
-                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the onedrive folder from the Windows explorer sidepane? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the onedrive folder from the File Explorer sidepanel? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                            AddParameter 'HideOnedrive' 'Hide the onedrive folder in the Windows explorer sidepanel'
+                            AddParameter 'HideOnedrive' 'Hide the onedrive folder in the File Explorer sidepanel'
                         }
 
                         Write-Output ""
                         
-                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the 3D objects folder from the Windows explorer sidepane? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the 3D objects folder from the File Explorer sidepanel? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                            AddParameter 'Hide3dObjects' "Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in Windows explorer" 
+                            AddParameter 'Hide3dObjects' "Hide the 3D objects folder under 'This pc' in File Explorer" 
                         }
                         
                         Write-Output ""
 
-                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the music folder from the Windows explorer sidepane? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
+                        if ($( Read-Host -Prompt "   Hide the music folder from the File Explorer sidepanel? (y/n)" ) -eq 'y') {
-                            AddParameter 'HideMusic' "Hide the music folder under 'This pc' in Windows explorer"
+                            AddParameter 'HideMusic' "Hide the music folder under 'This pc' in File Explorer"
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1183,7 +1192,7 @@ else {
             continue
         }
         'DisableTelemetry' {
-            RegImport "> Disabling telemetry, diagnostic data, app-launch tracking and targeted ads..." "Disable_Telemetry.reg"
+            RegImport "> Disabling telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking and targeted ads..." "Disable_Telemetry.reg"
             continue
         }
         {$_ -in "DisableBingSearches", "DisableBing"} {
@@ -1258,20 +1267,24 @@ else {
             RegImport "> Enabling file extensions for known file types..." "Show_Extensions_For_Known_File_Types.reg"
             continue
         }
+        'HideGallery' {
+            RegImport "> Hiding the gallery section from the File Explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_Gallery_from_Explorer.reg"
+            continue
+        }
         'HideDupliDrive' {
-            RegImport "> Hiding duplicate removable drive entries from the Windows explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_duplicate_removable_drives_from_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer.reg"
+            RegImport "> Hiding duplicate removable drive entries from the File Explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_duplicate_removable_drives_from_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer.reg"
             continue
         }
         {$_ -in "HideOnedrive", "DisableOnedrive"} {
-            RegImport "> Hiding the onedrive folder from the Windows explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_Onedrive_Folder.reg"
+            RegImport "> Hiding the onedrive folder from the File Explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_Onedrive_Folder.reg"
             continue
         }
         {$_ -in "Hide3dObjects", "Disable3dObjects"} {
-            RegImport "> Hiding the 3D objects folder from the Windows explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_3D_Objects_Folder.reg"
+            RegImport "> Hiding the 3D objects folder from the File Explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_3D_Objects_Folder.reg"
             continue
         }
         {$_ -in "HideMusic", "DisableMusic"} {
-            RegImport "> Hiding the music folder from the Windows explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_Music_folder.reg"
+            RegImport "> Hiding the music folder from the File Explorer navigation pane..." "Hide_Music_folder.reg"
             continue
         }
         {$_ -in "HideIncludeInLibrary", "DisableIncludeInLibrary"} {