QuoteWindows 11 looks clean and polished, but it still installs a bunch of stuff I never use. After a fresh install, it takes around 25GB or more before I add my first app... The script takes an aggressive approach because it aims for a lean system. It removes Windows Update, Defender, some language packs, and legacy Internet Explorer components, and also prunes the WinSxS component store, which brings the ISO size down to around 2GB.
https://www.makeuseof.com/i-cut-windows-11-down-to-2gb-with-this-debloat-tool/
You go first. I'd keep Defender, though.
Unless forced to do so, I only change, install or reinstall an OS when I change computers. Sometimes the old one gets an experimental OS if it's still functional enough.