Furthermore, Windows Defender is almost always removed. While not the most robust antivirus, Defender provides a critical baseline of protection against common malware. Its absence forces the user to rely on third-party solutions, which may not integrate properly with the stripped-down OS. The removal of system files can also lead to unexpected instability. Software that relies on .NET Framework components, certain printer drivers, or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) may fail without warning. For a gamer running only Steam and Discord, this may be fine. For anyone using the PC for work, school, or sensitive data, the risk is unacceptable.