How about reducing complexity instead? Why does it take up so much space, as opposed to Windows 98, for instance? That thing only took up, what, 500 MB? If the files are in proper sequence on the disk and defragmented (probably less effective for SSDs but the vast majority still use HDDs), it will not only boot up faster but will perform better too. Motherboard/GPU drivers, etc., are usually provided by the manufacturers anyway. A generic pack (500 MB?) should be enough. I mean think about it, a complete Linux kernel is under 100 MB.
"A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." (Antoine de Saint Exupéry)