There’s an enticing version of Windows 11 making its rounds on the internet right now, offering a slimmed-down design without any of the usual bloatware (e.g., pre-installed software you didn’t ask for) bogging down and bloating up the operating system.
Dubbed “Windows 11 Government Edition” (allegedly meant for government agencies and the like), the version seems tempting at first glance. But you shouldn’t fall for it! Because there are some risks.
Is Windows 11 Government Edition real?
This version of Windows 11 was apparently caught in a tweet by user Andy Kirby, who showed screenshots of the alleged government edition.
He describes the Windows version as a “maximally deflated version with all telemetry and Microsoft apps removed and no hardware restrictions like the retail version. Just as God intended.”
For many, this would be the dream. Not only would programs like Edge browser, Windows Store, Windows Defender, and built-in advertising be removed, but hardware restrictions and built-in telemetry that collects user data would also be cut out.
The end result? A Windows 11 system that’s extremely neat and tidy. But, unfortunately, this is not an official Windows version, nor is it a version specially customized for governments.
Why the alleged “Government Edition” of Windows 11 is dangerous
Again for emphasis: the alleged “Windows 11 Government Edition” is a fake. It isn’t an official Microsoft product created for governments or authorities—it’s a privately modded version of Windows.
In fact, since it uses an unofficial activation service to authenticate Windows, this version is even technically illegal. The context note added to the tweet draws attention to this.
You should therefore refrain from trying out this promising Windows version, no matter how tempting it might be. Otherwise you run the risk of your data falling into the wrong hands—or, in the worst-case scenario, getting a Trojan in your system.
Note: We don’t want to imply that the author of the tweet is trying to lure inexperienced users to malicious sites with his statements. However, the term “Government Edition” is misleading at best, as it implies official involvement by Microsoft and/or governments.
Windows 11 without bloatware? It’s possible in another way
“Purifying” Windows 11 by removing bloatware from the system isn’t a bad idea in itself. It can improve overall performance, and it can make the operating system easier to use.
Fortunately, there is a way to de-bloatware Windows 11 legally: you can uninstall many of the annoying programs manually, or you can use tools like Tiny11 Builder to clear out your system for free.
See our article on how to declutter Windows 11’s bloatware for even more useful tips and information on this topic.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.