Wouldn't it be installed windows update anyway? I'm pretty sure windows installs whatever software is in it's repo the moment a device is discovered by default?
No, Windows update will update it if it's already there from the factory, not if you have a fresh install from the official Microsoft ISO.
On a fresh install Windows update only install the corect drivers, no vendor apps.
The Realtek app is put there by the vendor (HP/Dell/Lenovo) from the factory in their spin of Windows. If you install a fresh vanilla copy of Windows from Microsft's website you won't have any of that nonsense.
Sadly, this is no longer true. At least, not for modern laptops.
It's possible to achieve what you wrote, but the complexity of doing that is borderline impossible. Need to set up group policies, or use custom software, to block installation of specific hardware devices, and specific Windows updates.
I have a 2021 Lenovo that had a bunch of crapware on it. Flashed a clean version of Windows and the crapware never came back after any update. The link you posted mentions nothing of a clean install, most likely it was a factory install.
On a fresh install Windows update only install the corect drivers, no vendor apps.
The Realtek app is put there by the vendor (HP/Dell/Lenovo) from the factory in their spin of Windows. If you install a fresh vanilla copy of Windows from Microsft's website you won't have any of that nonsense.