- Joined
- Feb 18, 2002
I've been doing one of these for every OS since Windows 9x days... 
October 6, 2016 EDIT: This download contains v1.5 which includes all the changes I made through today to what was posted below in v1.4 from 2015.
Download: View attachment Win10 INSTALLATION.doc
First draft of the Windows 10 version with the usual standard disclaimer:
Warning: Due to its content, the following should not be tried by anyone.
None of this should be done blindly by anyone who doesn't understand what this is. Most people would just cherry pick from it. It's mostly useful for making your master drive image which you slightly edit every month or so.
Do not try anything that looks remotely confusing or you will mess up your system.
This is for long time experienced users of Windows who like to tweak things. It's like a reminder list for people who do some of this stuff anyway. Or they'll do the same things but with specifics they themselves prefer. It's definitely not "the way to install Windows 10" for most people.
Windows 10 Installation v1.4
Pre-installation spoiler:
Windows 10 initial setup screen > Next > Install now > Setup is starting [wait] > Skip or Enter the product key to activate Windows
CHECK: I accept the license terms > Next >
SELECT: Upgrade (from already installed Windows 7/8) or Custom (for fresh install) > Next
> In case of problems upgrading, from within Windows 7/8, run: http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/8/0/C8007C4E-D1DD-4922-A966-3A927E86A033/GWXWebWindows.exe
[If upgrading] Reboot Windows 10 until you see your old Desktop
Select Drive Partition to install to and begin the installation process during which the computer will restart several times. Eject installation media after the first restart to prevent any chance of a boot loop. Enter the product key when prompted or click on Do this later.
Customize settings > Switch everything OFF > Next > [scroll down] Switch everything OFF > Let me choose my default apps > UNCHECK everything > Next >
Who's going to use this PC? > Enter User name but you may leave password blank. > Next >
Sign in or Skip this step > Setup a PIN or Skip this step >
Save new files only to this PC by default > Meet Cortana > Not now
* Settings > System > Time & language > Date & time > Time zone
* [Disable User Account Control:]
Start > type in: msconfig
> Tools TAB > Click on Change UAC Settings > Launch > Slide down to Never notify > OK > Yes >
Boot TAB > Change Timeout if using a multi-boot > Apply > Advanced options... button > select number of processors you have > OK > Apply > Services TAB > Click on Service to Alphabetize the display order > Scroll down and UNCHECK: Shell Hardware Detection [it disables Scan and Fix USB Flash Drive nag] > OK > Apply > Restart
* You may enable the hidden actual Administrator Account so that you can have ultimate Administrator privileges that surpass privileges that user accounts 'with Administrator Privileges' have. Apps from Windows Store will not start when logged into this account however. They only work if you are logged in as a User 'with Administrator Privileges'.
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
net user administrator /active:yes
Start > Click on your user name and Sign out.
Now click anywhere to see the newly enabled real Administrator account in the lower left corner > click on it and sign in.
* [Always log into Windows 10 as an Administrator without password requirements:]
Start > type in:
netplwiz
Users TAB > UNCHECK: Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer > OK
(A dialog will appear that asks you what user name and password should be used to logon automatically.)
Enter existing password or leave blank if you never entered your password > click on OK
The system should now boot into Desktop automatically without the logon prompt.
[If you upgraded] To free up a considerable amount of disk space, including removing Windows.old folder: Search > clean > Select the system drive > OK > Wait, then click on Clean up system files button > Select the system drive > OK > CHECK: Previous Windows installation(s) and scroll down and CHECK: Temporary Windows installation files > OK > Delete Files > Yes.
* Disable Windows 10 telemetry (collection of user activity):
Settings > Privacy > Feedback and Diagnostics > Windows should ask for my feedback: Never
Send your device data to Microsoft: Basic
Start > services.msc > Scroll down to both Diagnostics Tracking Service and dmwappushsvc and Stop, then set both of them to Disable
Start > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
Right Click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > AllowTelemetry > Set its value to 0.
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator > Enter these two lines:
echo. >%programdata%\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl
cacls.exe "%programdata%\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl" /d SYSTEM
* Click inside the search box > [three lines in upper left corner] > Settings > Search online and include web results: OFF [repeat for each computer account]
* Go to any folder > View > Options [on the right] > General TAB > Open File Explorer to: This PC [repeat for each computer account]
* Install Mouse software and a stable video card driver (disconnect secondary displays before installing video card drivers.) Settings need to be set for each computer account.
* Configure Mouse + cursors:
Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse & touchpad > Additional mouse options > Pointers TAB > Scheme: Magnified
[For Busy and Move, select to Use Default button; Custom: Help Select, Alternate Select, Link Select]. Save As… > Save the newly modified Scheme.
* For AMD ATi Catalyst:
Information > AMD Home > UNCHECK: Allow Web Content and Show this page on startup
Information > Software Update > UNCHECK everything.
Desktop Management > Creating and Arranging Desktops > Add to PINNED list [upper right corner green pin.]
My Digital Flat Panels > Scaling Options [if using HDMI] > Add to PINNED list [upper right corner green pin.]
Preferences > UNCHECK: Enable System Tray Menu
Pinned [upper left] > Unpin AMD Home
* Change Drive Letters: Right click on Computer > Manage > Storage > Disk Management > Right-click on drives > Change Drive Letter and Paths > File > Exit
* Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings >
CHECK: Computer, Network, Recycle Bin > OK [repeat for each computer account]
[For all OS after Windows XP, Recycle Bin switching b/w Full and Empty does not work for all custom Recycle Bin icons.]
Start > File Explorer > [wait for it to show up, then] Right click on This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Hardware TAB > Device Installation Settings > SELECT: No, let me choose what to > Never install driver software from Windows Update. UNCHECK everything here. > Save changes > OK.
* Open your web browser, and then enter the address of the configuration web page for your Wi-Fi router or other access point. The address is usually either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 Disable Wi-Fi Sense by appending _optout to the name of your network in your router settings in order to prevent automatic access for everyone in your Windows 10 address book, and other people's devices. So change your NetworkName to NetworkName_optout
* Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > [scroll down] Advanced options > Find devices and content: OFF > Metered connection: ON [This setting is only available for Wi-Fi and not Ethernet cable connections.]
Go back > [scroll down] Manage Wi-Fi settings > turn everything OFF.
* Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication settings > Double click on Turn off the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program > Enabled > OK
Double click on Turn off Windows Error Reporting > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles > Double click on Turn off the advertising ID > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Application Compatibility > Double click on Turn off Application Telemetry > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview builds > Double click on Allow Telemetry > Enabled > (below Enabled) click under Options > 0 - Off [Enterprise only]
Double click on Disable pre-release features or settings > Disabled > OK.
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer > Double click on Configure Windows SmartScreen > Enabled > (below Enabled) click under Pick one of the following settings > Turn off SmartSCreen
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates > Disabled [Windows Update will not check for new updates automatically.]
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings > Double-click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage > Enabled > OK
* Start > Settings > Update & security > Advanced options > Choose how updates are delivered: Notify to schedule restart.
Choose how updates are delivered [in blue, below] > Updates from more than one place > OFF
Start > File Explorer > [wait for it to show up, then] Right click on This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Computer Name TAB > Change… > change computer name > OK > REBOOT
Start > Settings > Update & security > Check for updates
YOU CANNOT SELECT INDIVIDUAL UPDATES TO INSTALL ON ANY VERSION OF WINDOWS 10 - even if you simply check for Windows Updates - they all begin installing…
* [In the upper left corner of any folder] Customize Quick Access Toolbar > Only CHECK: New Folder
* [Disable hibernate mode in Desktops] Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator
powercfg -h off
Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Select which icons appear on the taskbar > Windows Explorer > ON
[Back] Turn system icons on or off > Action Center > OFF
[Back] Under Notifications, turn OFF Show me tips about Windows and Show app notifications.
Settings > System > Power & sleep > When plugged in, turn off after 3 hours.
When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after Never.
Additional power settings > Change when the computer sleeps > Click on Change advanced power settings in blue below >
Hard disk > Turn off hard disk after > Setting: 960 Minutes > Apply > OK > Save changes
Settings > System > Storage > see Save locations
Settings > Devices > AutoPlay > OFF
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Turn Windows Firewall on or off > OFF [if using a third-party firewall.]
DO NOT CLICK ANYWHERE on the pop-up window warning that Windows Firewall is turned off or else merely clicking anywhere on that window, (even to try to dismiss it!) would result in turning Windows Firewall back on!
> Advanced settings > Windows Firewall Properties > Firewall state: OFF [if using a third-party firewall.] > Apply > OK.
After turning OFF Windows Firewall, right click on the Start button > CONTROL PANEL >
View by: Large icons > Security and Maintenance > Turn off messages about network firewall > You can also turn off all other messages here.
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Security and Maintenance [lower left] > Make sure Windows SmartScreen is OFF.
Settings > Personalization > Start > set the following to OFF:
Show most used apps ; Show recently added apps ; Use start full screen
Settings > Time & language > Date & time > Set time automatically > ON
Make sure Time zone is correct
Additional date, time, & regional settings > [lower right] Change date, time, or number formats > Additional settings... button [lower right] > Time TAB >
Change Short time from h:mm tt to HH:mm > Apply
Change Long time from h:mm:ss tt to HH:mm:ss > Apply
Date TAB >
Change Short date from M/d/yyyy to dddd, d MMM > Apply
First day of week: Monday > OK
Administrative TAB [on the Region window] > Copy settings... > CHECK everything > OK > OK
* [Disable Indexing] Right click on every drive > Properties > UNCHECK: Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties. You can immediately cancel out instead of waiting for attributes to be changed for every file, this change is about disabling future indexing.
If indexing is turned off, and if you want to do a one time indexing of custom locations:
Open any folder and use the search bar to search for anything > [Next to File Home Share View] click on Search > Advanced options > Change indexed locations > Select locations and Modify >
Indexing may take a very long time, it may be best to do this overnight.
* Right click on Start Menu > Run >
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications" /v "ToastEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v "DisableNotificationCenter" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
* Disable Windows Defender if using third party Firewall & AntiVirus:
Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Defender
Turn off Windows Defender > Enabled
For Windows Home users, this registry key disabled Windows Defender:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
Make a new DWORD and call it
DisableAntiSpyware
Set its value to 1
* [Get rid of "Windows can't verify the publisher of this software" warning when installing drivers:]
Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation > Double click on Code signing for device drivers > Enabled > (below Enabled) click on the down arrow next to 'Warn' and select Ignore > OK
* [Get rid of Popup Balloons from the task bar:]
Start Menu > Run > gpedit.msc > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Double click on Turn off all balloon notifications > Enabled > OK >
For non-Pro version of Windows 10, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right click on Advanced and create a new 32-bit DWORD named EnableBalloonTips Double click on it and give it value of 0
* [Get rid of Open File - Security Warning]:
Start Menu > Run > gpedit.msc > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Attachment Manager >
In the right pane, double click on 'Inclusion list for moderate risk file types' > Enabled > Under 'Options: > *.* > OK
Do the same for 'Inclusion list for low file types'
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Double click on Turn off the Security Settings Check feature > Enabled > OK
* [Get rid of Open File - Security Warning for downloaded files]:
Scroll up and set "Do not preserve zone information in file attachments" to Enabled
Then also
Start > Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Internet options > Security TAB > Custom Level > scroll down under Miscellaneous > Launching Applications and Unsafe Files > Enable (not secure) > OK > Yes > OK
Open File - Security Warning may still appear for files downloaded earlier. Those files need to be stripped of alternate data streams using streams.exe program http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897440.aspx
from DOS: streams.exe -d -s <directory path>
* Disable Thumbnail Taskbar Preview:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
> Right click on Advanced and select New DWORD and name it
ExtendedUIHoverTime
Double click on it and give it a large value 99999999
This effectively disables taskbar thumbnail preview because you would have to hover over the task bar for a long time to actually see the thumbnail preview. This takes effect after a reboot.
* Right click > Unpin Task Bar icons and Enable Quick Launch: Right click on an empty space on the taskbar > Toolbars > New Toolbar >
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
> Select Folder
Right click on an empty space on the taskbar > UNCHECK: Lock the taskbar > Left click on the dotted lines on the left side and hold them, then drag it to the right PAST the Quick Launch toolbar and release to get the Toolbar on the left side.
Right click on the taskbar > UNCHECK: Show Text and Show title then above it View > Large Icons
Quick Launch: Show Desktop, Notepad, Drive shortcuts, Email, Firefox
Lock the task bar again.
* Start > All apps > Windows Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler (Local) [upper left] > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Maintenance > Right click on WinSAT > Disable [Or else it will run every week assessing your computer score, interrupting and disrupting you while you are using your computer. Windows Score does not truly reflect your overall hardware performance.]
* Start Menu > Run… > services.msc > Click on Name to line the list Alphabetically > Scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service and double click on it then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK
Scroll down to Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and double click on it > Stop > then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK
Scroll up to Offline Files service [if it's there] and double click on it > Stop > then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK >
File > Exit
Right click on Taskbar TAB > Properties > Taskbar buttons (in the middle): Never combine > REBOOT
* Right click on Desktop > Display settings > [scroll down] Advanced display settings > Advanced sizing of text and other items > set a custom scaling level > 120% (or 111% max on Laptops without 1080p resolution) > OK > Apply > Sign out now > Log back in
This will immediately cause Windows 10 to have blurry fonts. Microsoft Developers made Windows 10 have blurry fonts on higher DPI settings, possibly due to mobile device compatibility issues, but on Desktop PCs, this custom made program is the easiest way to revert to Windows 8 and earlier scaling methods which allow clear fonts at higher DPI settings: http://windows10_dpi_blurry_fix.xpexplorer.com/
* Right click on Desktop > Display settings > Advanced display settings > Advanced sizing of text and other items > Select Icons from drop down menu set to 9 and CHECK: Bold > Apply >
Set Title bars 14 ; Menus 14 ; Palette titles 11 > Apply
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > System and Security > System > Remote TAB > settings > UNCHECK: Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer > Apply
Advanced TAB [to the right of Hardware YAB] > (Under Performance) Settings… button >
UNCHECK everything that starts with "Fade" or "Slide" > Apply > OK
Advanced TAB > (Under Startup and Recovery) Settings…button >
UNCHECK: Automatically Restart (so you can read the error code on screen in case of a crash) > OK > OK
* Go inside any folder > View > Medium Icons >
[On the right of the View menu] >
CHECK: File name extensions
CHECK: Hidden items
View > Options [on right] > View TAB >
UNCHECK: Launch folder windows in a separate process
UNCHECK: Hide empty drives in the Computer folder
> Apply > Apply to Folders button > Yes > OK >
* From Windows 95 to Windows XP Explorer has had a STATUS BAR which displayed very useful information at a glance. Microsoft Developers have removed most of that information and have done so in a way that even Classic Shell or other programs cannot restore it.
The alternative is to activate View > Details Pane: [NOT View > Details] but View > Details Pane.
Microsoft Developers have also removed Advanced Appearance Settings from Windows 8/10.
* To change scroll bar size [visible after reboot], go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
Both ScrollHeight and ScrollWidth should have the same value. Use value -350
* When using a word processor (for example) change the window color from white to off white [visible after reboot]:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Colors\Window
and change the value of: Window from 255 255 255 to 255 243 215
do the same for
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors\Window
* Set Recycle Bin default view to Details and only select columns Original Location ; Date Deleted ; Size
* Start Menu > All aps > Windows Accessories > Notepad: Format > CHECK: Word Wrap
then Format > Font… > Verdana 14 Regular > OK
* Get rid of "-shortcut" text when creating shortcuts:
Start Menu > Run... > regedit > go to registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer
Click on Explorer then in the right pane, scroll down and double click on: link > change its value by first deleting 17 then pressing on 0 so it changes from
0000 17 00 00 00
to
0000 00 00 00 00
> OK [This will take effect after rebooting.]
* Get rid of a warning after unchecking 'Hide Protected Operating System Files' option:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden\
Delete WarningIfNotDefault
* Remove 'Include in library' from Right click menu by deleting key 3dad6c5d-2167-4cae-9914-f99e41c12cfa from
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\Library Location
* To insert right click > Notepad option:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\
[If it's not there, create it: Right click on * > New > Key > Shell ]
Right click on Shell > New > Key > Notepad > Double click on (Default) in the right window and enter value &Notepad
then right click on Notepad > New > Key > command > Double click on (Default) in the right window and enter value Notepad.exe %1
* Disable Internet Explorer message when opening Internet Explorer: Your current settings put your computer at risk. Copy this into Notepad and save as a .reg file then double click on it to import it into registry:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"DisableFirstRunCustomize"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"DisableFirstRunCustomize"=-
* Disable 'You have new apps that can open this type of file' nag from showing up *whenever* you install new software. Copy this into Notepad and save as a .reg file then double click on it to import it into registry:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"NoNewAppAlert"=dword:00000001
* Make ALL of the bandwidth available to you:
Start Menu > Run... > gpedit.msc > OK
1. Expand "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Network"
2. Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in the LEFT window
3. In the right window double click on "limit reservable bandwidth"
4. Under the Setting TAB SELECT: "Enabled"
5. Where it says "Bandwidth limit (%)" change it to 0 and Click on OK > File > Exit
Since gpedit.msc is not available on Windows 8 (non-pro) version, go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
Right click on Windows > New > Key > name it Psched
Right click on Psched and create a new 32-bit DWORD named NonBestEffortLimit with value of 0
> REBOOT
* Change User Account picture: Settings > Accounts > Browse to choose picture.
* Right click on desktop > Personalize > Desktop Background > Browse to change desktop background > Choose a fit: Stretch
[Right clicking on the selected picture allows you to assign separate backgrounds to different monitors.]
* Start > Settings > Personalization > Themes > Advanced sound settings > Sounds TAB >
Under Windows: scroll down and click on Asterisk >
Under Sounds: scroll up and SELECT (None) >
then turn off all other sounds from the list that may annoy you.
> Apply, then (above) Save As… to save your sound settings to be able to restore them in case they get reset when other Themes are applied.
Recording TAB > Raise recording levels here if they ever get too low.
Playback TAB > Right Click > UNCHECK: Show Disconnected Devices > Raise playback levels here if they ever get too low.
UNCHECK: Show Disconnected Devices
Here you can Right Click > Set as Default Device [green check mark icon] and you can also use a different device to Set as Default Communication Device [green phone icon] so that it is used to hear sound from communication programs like Skype through Default Communication Device instead of the Default Device.
Here you can also change icons for sound devices and rename sound devices, for example:
HDMI, Headphones, S/PDIF, Small Speakers, S/PDIF Motherboard, Digital Output Motherboard.
> REBOOT
* Place drive shortcuts shortcut in
C:\Users\[user name]\My Documents\ [Also add REVISIONS folder shortcut here]
C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures
* Start > All apps > Windows Accessories > Internet Explorer > Click on Home button to reject Microsoft settings.
Right click on empty space next to IE tabs > CHECK: Menu Bar ; Command Bar ; Status Bar
then Right click next to Command Bar > Customize > SELECT: Show All Text Labels and then in the very same menu [below Show All Text Labels] SELECT: Add or remove commands >
COPY Separator PASTE Separator CUT Separator PRINT Separator TEXT SIZE Separator FULL SCREEN Separator TOOLS
> Close
* CTRL+H > Drop down menu > View By Order Visited Today
* Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner > View downloads > [lower left corner] Options > Browse to set custom default download location
…and UNCHECK: Notify me when my downloads are complete > OK > Close
* Tools > Internet options [bottom] > General Tab > Set Home Page to about:blank
Advanced TAB > under Browsing,
CHECK all 'Disable Script Debugging options
UNCHECK: - Notify when downloads complete
- Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default browser.
CHECK: Send Do Not Track requests to sites you visit in Internet Explorer.
then go down under Multimedia and
UNCHECK: Enable Automatic Image Resizing
then go down under Security and
CHECK: Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid
UNCHECK: Check for signatures on downloaded programs
Content TAB > Auto Complete Settings button > UNCHECK everything > OK
> [next to Feeds and Web Slices] Settings >
UNCHECK: Automatically check feeds and Web Slices for updates
Privacy TAB > UNCHECK: Turn on Pop-up Blocker (if using Internet Explorer for testing purposes and not as a default browser) > OK
* Tools > Manage add-ons > Search Providers >
CHECK: Prevent programs from suggesting changes to my default search provider
in the bottom left corner, click on Find more providers… > Google > Add to Internet Explorer > CHECK: Make this my default search provider > Add
Right click on Google > Set as default
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > Clock, Language, and Region > Date and Time > UNCHECK: Notify me when the clock changes > Internet Time TAB > Change settings… > Server: time.nist.gov > OK > OK >
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > System and Security > Under Administrative Tools, click on Defragment and optimize your drives then wait a minute to see the Optimize Drives window > Change settings > UNCHECK everything > OK > Close
* [Increase file transfer speed] Right click on Start button > Control Panel > > [View by: Category] > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off [second from top] > Scroll down to
Print and Document Services, click on + and if it's there, UNCHECK: Remote Differential Compression API Support > OK
* Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Themes > Theme settings > Save theme (upper right side) > Enter theme name > Save
* Start > Settings > System > Notifications and Actions
* Install .NET Framework 3.5:
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
[Replace D: with your drive letter for Windows 10 installation media.]
REMOVE START-UP ITEMS AND SHELL EXTENSIONS as you install programs
+ START APPLICATIONS TO SET UP OPTIONS + Place Shortcuts on Desktop
In case of problems, right click on .exe > Properties > Compatibility TAB
* Other Applications (except for AntiVirus)
File extensions may not open with a double click until you actually once:
Right click on a file extension > Open with > Choose default program... > [if it is not on the list] Scroll down > More options > CHECK: Use this app for all .* files > Scroll down > Look for another app on this PC > Browse to default program to open file extension with.
* Rebuild your Windows 10 icon cache: Make this file so it can rebuild your icons when you double click on it. Enter the following into Notepad and save it, then change the extension of the saved file to .bat
@echo off
set iconcache=%localappdata%\IconCache.db
echo.
echo Please SAVE ALL OPEN WORK before continuing.
echo.
echo It will take a few seconds for icons to reappear.
echo.
echo.
echo Next time you reboot, icon cache will be rebuilt.
echo.
echo.
pause
echo.
If exist "%iconcache%" goto delete
echo.
echo The IconCache.db file has already been deleted.
goto restart
:delete
echo.
echo Attempting to delete IconCache.db file...
echo.
ie4uinit.exe -ClearIconCache
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
del "%iconcache%" /A
start explorer.exe
echo.
echo IconCache.db file has been successfully deleted.
exit /B
* Start Windows Media Player 12 > Custom settings > Next > UNCHECK everything > Next > Choose the file types that Windows Media Player will play > Finish > OK
Right click on Windows Media Player top bar > Show menu bar
View > Skin
Tools > Options > Player TAB > UNCHECK: Add local media files to library when played
Privacy TAB > UNCHECK everything
UNCHECK personal preferences in all other TABs.
Start a video file.
ALT+1 or ALT+2 or ALT+3 sets the default video size.
CTRL+1 or CTRL+2 or CTRL+3 sets the default play mode.
Choose ALT+2 and CTRL+2.
* Disable Media Player automatically checking for updates:
Start Menu > Run... > regedit >
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \
Right click on Microsoft > New > Key
name it
WindowsMediaPlayer
Right click on WindowsMediaPlayer > New > DWORD Value > Name it
DisableAutoUpdate
Double click on it and enter the value of 1
* Right click on Start Button > Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Default Programs > Set program access and computer defaults > Click on down arrows across from Custom and scroll down to Choose a default media player >
Next to Windows Media Player, UNCHECK: Enable access to this program
* To prevent Windows Media Player from automatically launching if an Audio CD is inside the optical drive when you double click on it, go to Start Menu > Run… regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AudioCD\
Deleting the entire AudioCD key would display the contents of the Audio CD
[since sometimes there is extra content on it.]
The same applies to DVDs. Delete this key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DVD to always access contents of a DVD without an external program launching to play the content when you double click on your DVD drive shortcut.
* To change drive icons: Start Menu > Run... > regedit > Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer
Right click on Explorer > New > Key > DriveIcons
Right click on DriveIcons > New > Key > the name should be the drive letter, for example C >
Right click on C > New > Key > DefaultIcon
Double click on (Default) in the right pane and set the path to the icon file. If the path is to an icon library, then add the number of the icon inside the library to set the drive icon to, for example c:\windows\system32/shell32.dll,74
* Copy custom icons to Windows\DefaultIcon folder
* Third party software like freeware Types http://izt.name/apps/types/can be used to insert commands into the Right Click Menu and Edit default icons.
Edit with Photoshop for .jpg .bmp .gif .png .tif
Both Edit and Edit with Dreamweaver for .htm
Open in WordPerfect for .txt .wp
Edit with GIF Animator for .gif
Edit in VideoReDo for all Daum PotPlayer default file extensions except .flv
Edit with Adobe Acrobat for .pdf
Open in Sound Forge for .ac3. .avi .flac mp3 .mpeg .mpg .rm .vob .wav
Open in Sony Vegas Video for .avi. mpeg .mpg .vob
Edit in Avidemux for .ac3 .avi
Open in Excel for .xml
* Make sure file extension custom associations start with programs they are supposed to.
• Daum PotPlayer default file extensions:
.3gp .ac3 .amr .asf .avi .dvr-ms .evo .flv .m2ts .m4v .mkv .mov .mp4 .mpeg .mpg .ra .ram .rlm .rm .wma .wmv .wtv
• Notepad default file extensions:
.css .dat .diz .nfo .usr
• Firefox default file extensions:
.htm .html .swf
• Winamp default file extensions:
.aac .cda .flac .m3u .m4a .mid .midi .mp3 .ogg .wav
Use Types to remove Add to Winamp's &Bookmark list right click option.
Set custom icons for .cda .flac .mid .midi .mp3 .wav
• XnView default file extensions:
.bmp .gif .giff .jpe .jpeg .jpg .pbm .png .tif .tiff
• 7-Zip default file extension:
.7z
• Adobe Reader default file extension:
.pdf
• Excel default file extension:
.xlsx
• Excel 2003 default file extension:
.xls
• ImgBurn default file extension:
.ibb
• Internet Explorer default file extension:
.mht
• Microangelo Studio default file extension:
.ico
• Notepad++ default file extensions:
.srt .txt .xml
• Sumatra PDF default file extensions:
.djvu .epub .mobi
• VideoReDo default file extension:
.VPrj
• WinRAR default file extension:
.rar
• WinZip default file extension:
.zip
• Word default file extensions:
.docx .odt
• Word 2003 default file extension:
.doc
• WordPad default file extensions:
.rdf .rtf .wri
• Photoshop default file extension:
.psd
• UltraISO default file extensions:
.daa .iso
• Photoshop default file extension:
.psd
• WordPerfect 5.1 default file extension:
.wp
Set Custom... WAV templates:
• WAV for CD at [44,100 Hz PCM 16 Bit]
• WAV for DVD [at 48,000 Hz PCM 16 Bit]
Set Custom... AC3-Pro templates:
• AC3 448 Kbps [48 kHz -31dB]
PreProcessing TAB > change both the Line mode profile and RF mode profile to NONE.
Audio Service TAB > Dialog normalization: -31 dB.
Set Custom MPEG-2 templates:
• 704 x 480 ; 4:3 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Upper
[Project: Best ; Video Output type: DVD ; Video: 704 x 480 ; Upper field first ; Video quality High ; Constant bit rate 8,100,000 ; no Audio stream; System: Save as separate elementary streams]
• 720 x 480 ; 4:3 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Lower
• 720 x 480 ; 16:9 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Lower
* Add default Grayscale Scan resolution 138 DPI (1600 x 1200).
* Add Color Scan resolution 200 DPI.
* Place folder shortcuts in Send to Menu and remove unneeded items from it:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
* Change location of Windows Shell folders to folders of choice, for easy backup / restore:
[Desktop, Favorites, Programs, Saved Games, SendTo, Start Menu, Startup]
Original locations can be viewed at
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
but do not change registry values directly inside Windows registry.
To move a special Windows shell folder such as Desktop, create the new destination folder first so you can browse to it later.
Right click on the *current* Windows shell folder > Properties > Location TAB > Move >
Browse to new location > Apply > Yes > OK
* In case of problems assigning custom icons,
Right click on a file extension > Open with > Choose default program... > Scroll down > More options > CHECK: Use this app for all .* files > Scroll down > Look for another app on this PC > Browse to default program to open file extension with. This will re-associate the extension with the program and allow for custom icon to be set.
> REBOOT
* Favorites Menu Order
Saved previously from HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ MenuOrder \ Favorites
Click once on Favorites and then (on the menu) click on Registry > Export Registry File... to save this file.
* regedit Favorites are:
• Restore Desktop Layout
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JOConnell\Desktop\Layout 1920 x 1080
• Delete autocheck autochk *
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager
• Favorites Menu Order
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ MenuOrder \ Favorites
• TBIMount - Unmount Drive Letter
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\TBIMount - Unmount Drive Letter
• Excel 2013 Recent Documents List
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Excel\File MRU
• Word 2013 Recent Documents List
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\File MRU
* Hide drive-letters from the Send To menu, so you can select only the drives you need in the SendTo menu by placing their shortcuts in the Windows SendTo Menu folder:
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on Explorer and create a new DWORD value called NoDrivesInSendToMenu
Double click on NoDrivesInSendToMenu and give it a value of 1.
* Go to a folder where only music files are and adjust View to Content. Then go to View > Options [on right] > View TAB > Apply to Folders > Yes > OK [This sets the default view for all folders containing music, not other types of folders.]
Do the same for a folder with pictures, using a view of your choice such as Large Icons.
* Video Card Drivers + any video card software
* Drivers for other cards, update all drivers, install Scanner Software
* Start Menu > All Apps > Windows Administrative tools > Task Scheduler > Double click on Consolidator [top of the scrolling window, middle bottom]
It is part of Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program > Click on Delete (not Delete Folder) in the right pane to delete this Task. Go back and Delete Consolidator Tasks in the same way four or more times until you get an empty window.
Delete Proxy.
Delete Automatic App Update. Go back and delete Automatic App Update Tasks in the same way four or more times until you get an empty window.
Delete Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser. Go back and delete Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser Tasks in the same way three or more times until you get an empty window.
* When you open a CD or DVD, you may see message Files Ready to Be Written to Disc (1) desktop.ini
To disable it, delete contents of this folder then right click on it:
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn
or
C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn
Properties > Security TAB > Edit > Click on Administrators and any user name > (to the right of Full Control) CHECK: Deny > Apply > Yes > OK > OK
* Now install AntiVirus
* COMODO Firewall + Blocked Files
Create a new folder on your Windows desktop (New > Folder) and save it with the text below:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
[This will create a folder with shortcuts to many Administrative functions in Windows 10.
The name of the folder can be changed.]
* Set up Ccelaner cookies
* If Firefox reverts to original window after opening a new window, use Notepad to add line
ProtectedMode=0
to file
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\mms.cfg
* Compressed music folders Folderviews should be List.
* Right click on Start Button > Control Panel > [View by: Small icons] > Indexing Options > Modify to set folders > Advanced Options > Rebuild
* Start installed programs once
* Use WinPatrol to remove Startup Programs and IE Helpers (Internet Explorer Add-ons)
* Cleanup the Start Menu.
CLASSIC SHELL: http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
START MENU LOCATION 1: "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"
START MENU LOCATION 2: "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"
DESKTOP LOCATION: "%USERPROFILE%\Destop"
DESKTOP LOCATIONS (other): C:\Users\{username}
SEND TO LOCTION: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
PUBLIC FOLDERS: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\Public
After creating a shortcut with %Environmental Variables%, set the shortcut to READ-ONLY,
otherwise the Environmental Variable may be changed to actual drive letter location by Windows.
* Cleanup Right Click New menu. Create a New file, see what the extension is then go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.[whatever the extension is] and delete key ShellNew.
* Start Menu > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > Hardware and Sound > Again check both Playback and Recording properties (Raise Volume Bars) for audio devices and check system sounds > Rename Playback hardware > OK
* See C:\Users and delete unnecessary items from Desktop and Start Menu and Favorites
Delete unnecessary sample files (from places like Documents…)
Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Save theme (middle right side) > Save As…
* Once again, right click on Taskbar TAB > Properties > Taskbar TAB > [in the middle] Notification Area: Customize… button > Select which icons appear on the taskbar
[If it doesn't display, try clicking on Turn system icons on or off first.]
Atomic Clock, Free Download Manager, Antivirus, Windows Explorer, Network, Volume
* After updating Microsoft .NET, force the installed updates to be compiled:
Use DOS to get to the location of ngen.exe
and execute
NGEN queue status
NGEN executequeueditems
For example:
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
cd C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319
NGEN queue status
NGEN executequeueditems
* Once again, confirm that windows firewall is off:
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Turn Windows Firewall on or off > OFF [if using a third-party firewall.]
> Advanced settings > Windows Firewall Properties > Firewall state: OFF [if using a third-party firewall.] > Apply > OK.
After turning OFF Windows Firewall, right click on the Start button > CONTROL PANEL >
View by: Large icons > Security and Maintenance > Turn off messages about network firewall > You can also turn off all other messages here.
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Security and Maintenance [lower left] > Make sure Windows SmartScreen is OFF.
* Install any additional system fonts
* Start Menu > Run… > services.msc > Click on Name to line the list Alphabetically > Disable Adobe Acrobat Update Service.
Most services should not be disabled here as this may prevent software you actually need from starting.
* Run this .reg file to remove All User Folders From being displayed under This PC on 64-bit Windows 10:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Remove Desktop From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
; Remove Documents From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]
; Remove Downloads From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]
; Remove Music From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}]
; Remove Pictures From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]
; Remove Videos From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}]
* Remove Windows Defender Right click menus:
Run:
regsvr32 /i "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\shellext.dll"
* Remove OneDrive from Navigation Pane, create this .bat file:
@echo off
REG ADD "HKCR\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}\ShellFolder" /V Attributes /T REG_DWORD /D 4035969101 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe
* Remove Quick access from This PC:
First go to any folder > View > Options [on the right] > General TAB > Open File Explorer to: This PC
Then go to this registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder
Right click on ShellFolder > Permissions… > Advanced > Change > type in Administrator or your user name > Check Names > OK > Apply > OK > Click on Administrators or your user name > CHECK to Allow Full Control > Apply > OK
Now change the value of Attributes [under Default] to
a0600000
> OK
Repeat the process for ShellFolder located at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder
Sign out for change to take effect.
* Before Windows 8.1, Hard Disk Drives were in a separate This PC category from Devices with Removable Storage. There is no way to separate them as they used to be but as a workaround:
This PC > Right-click on empty area Group by > More... > CHECK: File System > OK
Now again Right-click on empty area > Group by > File system
* The following .exe files can be blocked:
Background Task Host: backgroundtaskhost.exe
Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program: wsqmcons.exe
Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry: compattelrunner.exe
Microsoft Feedback SIUF Deployment Manager Client: dmclient.exe
Host Process for Windows Tasks: taskhostw.exe
SIH Client for background installation of Windows updates: sihclient.exe
* Internet Explorer Personalized ads ON-OFF page switch:
https://choice.microsoft.com/en-us/opt-out#
* Make this script.bat file to once again make sure privacy options are changed:
REM *** Remove Telemetry & Data Collection ***
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection" /v "AllowTelemetry" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT" /v DontOfferThroughWUAU /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows" /v "CEIPEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat" /v "AITEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat" /v "DisableUAR" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v "AllowTelemetry" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REM *** SCHEDULED TASKS tweaks ***
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\AppID\SmartScreenSpecific" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" /Disable
REM schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\CloudExperienceHost\CreateObjectTask" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Consolidator" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\KernelCeipTask" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\UsbCeip" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskDiagnostic\Microsoft-Windows-DiskDiagnosticDataCollector" /Disable
REM schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskFootprint\Diagnostics" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\File History (maintenance mode)" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Maintenance\WinSAT" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\NetTrace\GatherNetworkInfo" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\PI\Sqm-Tasks" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\QueueReporting" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\Automatic App Update" /Disable
* Make an Image and make sure to Verify Image after transferring it to its backup location.
• To disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement:
Start Menu > Run... > shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
System will restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
Select: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
[Repeat each time you need to install an unsigned driver, Driver Signature Enforcement cannot be disabled permanently]
October 6, 2016 EDIT: This download contains v1.5 which includes all the changes I made through today to what was posted below in v1.4 from 2015.
Download: View attachment Win10 INSTALLATION.doc
First draft of the Windows 10 version with the usual standard disclaimer:
Warning: Due to its content, the following should not be tried by anyone.
None of this should be done blindly by anyone who doesn't understand what this is. Most people would just cherry pick from it. It's mostly useful for making your master drive image which you slightly edit every month or so.
Do not try anything that looks remotely confusing or you will mess up your system.
This is for long time experienced users of Windows who like to tweak things. It's like a reminder list for people who do some of this stuff anyway. Or they'll do the same things but with specifics they themselves prefer. It's definitely not "the way to install Windows 10" for most people.
Windows 10 Installation v1.4
Pre-installation spoiler:
* Setup BIOS and partition your hard drive (one physical drive "divided" into C Drive, D Drive…) so that you can install your operating system on one of the partitions, install your software, set it all up to your liking, then back up the entire partition onto DVD disc(s) (or another partition) for easy restoration in the future without having to go through the entire Windows, drivers and software installation process again. Be sure to partition and/or format Windows 10 drive under Windows Vista/7/8/10 and not Windows XP to get a correct partition offset.
* Physically disconnect Internet connection cables to avoid being prompted to setup unnecessary Microsoft Accounts and so that nothing interferes with custom setup. Always reboot when prompted. Windows 10 offers full video card resolution without video card drivers. Since video card drivers may cause problems, try to install them and any other drivers closer to the end of your installation process, just after making a drive image of the installation work done before installing drivers.
* Windows 7/8/10 has an Auto-arrange feature which cannot be turned off.You can move Desktop items on Windows 10 to any other place on Windows 10 Desktop but you cannot move files/folders inside any Windows 10 directory. Dragging files/folders inside any directory was found to crash some system using Windows Vista (and Windows 7 Alpha releases) so Microsoft simply turned this feature off entirely in Windows 7/8/10. Registry edits disabling Auto-arrange break other Windows features. You can choose how files/folders are Auto-arranged but you cannot arrange them randomly yourself. They will always be displayed as Auto-arranged by Name, Type, Size, etc.
Once you activate Windows 10, your machine ID is *permanently* stored in the cloud and permanently associated with that activation. The very second you *ever* connect unactivated fresh Windows 10 installation to the internet from that machine, even if you never entered any keys or emails, it *will* immediately activate with no way for you to disassociate your machine from the registration information in the cloud.
[Firewalls cannot be used to block activation while allowing everything else, any more.]
Contents of Windows 10 Start Button right click menu are located inside the WinX folder. In case Windows 10 Start Button right click menu goes missing, default contents may be copied from one of these locations:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%HOMEDRIVE%\Users\[user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%HOMEDRIVE%\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%WINDIR%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%WINDIR%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
* Physically disconnect Internet connection cables to avoid being prompted to setup unnecessary Microsoft Accounts and so that nothing interferes with custom setup. Always reboot when prompted. Windows 10 offers full video card resolution without video card drivers. Since video card drivers may cause problems, try to install them and any other drivers closer to the end of your installation process, just after making a drive image of the installation work done before installing drivers.
* Windows 7/8/10 has an Auto-arrange feature which cannot be turned off.You can move Desktop items on Windows 10 to any other place on Windows 10 Desktop but you cannot move files/folders inside any Windows 10 directory. Dragging files/folders inside any directory was found to crash some system using Windows Vista (and Windows 7 Alpha releases) so Microsoft simply turned this feature off entirely in Windows 7/8/10. Registry edits disabling Auto-arrange break other Windows features. You can choose how files/folders are Auto-arranged but you cannot arrange them randomly yourself. They will always be displayed as Auto-arranged by Name, Type, Size, etc.
Once you activate Windows 10, your machine ID is *permanently* stored in the cloud and permanently associated with that activation. The very second you *ever* connect unactivated fresh Windows 10 installation to the internet from that machine, even if you never entered any keys or emails, it *will* immediately activate with no way for you to disassociate your machine from the registration information in the cloud.
[Firewalls cannot be used to block activation while allowing everything else, any more.]
Contents of Windows 10 Start Button right click menu are located inside the WinX folder. In case Windows 10 Start Button right click menu goes missing, default contents may be copied from one of these locations:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%HOMEDRIVE%\Users\[user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%HOMEDRIVE%\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%WINDIR%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
%WINDIR%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
Windows 10 initial setup screen > Next > Install now > Setup is starting [wait] > Skip or Enter the product key to activate Windows
CHECK: I accept the license terms > Next >
SELECT: Upgrade (from already installed Windows 7/8) or Custom (for fresh install) > Next
> In case of problems upgrading, from within Windows 7/8, run: http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/8/0/C8007C4E-D1DD-4922-A966-3A927E86A033/GWXWebWindows.exe
[If upgrading] Reboot Windows 10 until you see your old Desktop
Select Drive Partition to install to and begin the installation process during which the computer will restart several times. Eject installation media after the first restart to prevent any chance of a boot loop. Enter the product key when prompted or click on Do this later.
Customize settings > Switch everything OFF > Next > [scroll down] Switch everything OFF > Let me choose my default apps > UNCHECK everything > Next >
Who's going to use this PC? > Enter User name but you may leave password blank. > Next >
Sign in or Skip this step > Setup a PIN or Skip this step >
Save new files only to this PC by default > Meet Cortana > Not now
* Settings > System > Time & language > Date & time > Time zone
* [Disable User Account Control:]
Start > type in: msconfig
> Tools TAB > Click on Change UAC Settings > Launch > Slide down to Never notify > OK > Yes >
Boot TAB > Change Timeout if using a multi-boot > Apply > Advanced options... button > select number of processors you have > OK > Apply > Services TAB > Click on Service to Alphabetize the display order > Scroll down and UNCHECK: Shell Hardware Detection [it disables Scan and Fix USB Flash Drive nag] > OK > Apply > Restart
* You may enable the hidden actual Administrator Account so that you can have ultimate Administrator privileges that surpass privileges that user accounts 'with Administrator Privileges' have. Apps from Windows Store will not start when logged into this account however. They only work if you are logged in as a User 'with Administrator Privileges'.
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
net user administrator /active:yes
Start > Click on your user name and Sign out.
Now click anywhere to see the newly enabled real Administrator account in the lower left corner > click on it and sign in.
* [Always log into Windows 10 as an Administrator without password requirements:]
Start > type in:
netplwiz
Users TAB > UNCHECK: Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer > OK
(A dialog will appear that asks you what user name and password should be used to logon automatically.)
Enter existing password or leave blank if you never entered your password > click on OK
The system should now boot into Desktop automatically without the logon prompt.
[If you upgraded] To free up a considerable amount of disk space, including removing Windows.old folder: Search > clean > Select the system drive > OK > Wait, then click on Clean up system files button > Select the system drive > OK > CHECK: Previous Windows installation(s) and scroll down and CHECK: Temporary Windows installation files > OK > Delete Files > Yes.
* Disable Windows 10 telemetry (collection of user activity):
Settings > Privacy > Feedback and Diagnostics > Windows should ask for my feedback: Never
Send your device data to Microsoft: Basic
Start > services.msc > Scroll down to both Diagnostics Tracking Service and dmwappushsvc and Stop, then set both of them to Disable
Start > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
Right Click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > AllowTelemetry > Set its value to 0.
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator > Enter these two lines:
echo. >%programdata%\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl
cacls.exe "%programdata%\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl" /d SYSTEM
* Click inside the search box > [three lines in upper left corner] > Settings > Search online and include web results: OFF [repeat for each computer account]
* Go to any folder > View > Options [on the right] > General TAB > Open File Explorer to: This PC [repeat for each computer account]
* Install Mouse software and a stable video card driver (disconnect secondary displays before installing video card drivers.) Settings need to be set for each computer account.
* Configure Mouse + cursors:
Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse & touchpad > Additional mouse options > Pointers TAB > Scheme: Magnified
[For Busy and Move, select to Use Default button; Custom: Help Select, Alternate Select, Link Select]. Save As… > Save the newly modified Scheme.
* For AMD ATi Catalyst:
Information > AMD Home > UNCHECK: Allow Web Content and Show this page on startup
Information > Software Update > UNCHECK everything.
Desktop Management > Creating and Arranging Desktops > Add to PINNED list [upper right corner green pin.]
My Digital Flat Panels > Scaling Options [if using HDMI] > Add to PINNED list [upper right corner green pin.]
Preferences > UNCHECK: Enable System Tray Menu
Pinned [upper left] > Unpin AMD Home
* Change Drive Letters: Right click on Computer > Manage > Storage > Disk Management > Right-click on drives > Change Drive Letter and Paths > File > Exit
* Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings >
CHECK: Computer, Network, Recycle Bin > OK [repeat for each computer account]
[For all OS after Windows XP, Recycle Bin switching b/w Full and Empty does not work for all custom Recycle Bin icons.]
Start > File Explorer > [wait for it to show up, then] Right click on This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Hardware TAB > Device Installation Settings > SELECT: No, let me choose what to > Never install driver software from Windows Update. UNCHECK everything here. > Save changes > OK.
* Open your web browser, and then enter the address of the configuration web page for your Wi-Fi router or other access point. The address is usually either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 Disable Wi-Fi Sense by appending _optout to the name of your network in your router settings in order to prevent automatic access for everyone in your Windows 10 address book, and other people's devices. So change your NetworkName to NetworkName_optout
* Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > [scroll down] Advanced options > Find devices and content: OFF > Metered connection: ON [This setting is only available for Wi-Fi and not Ethernet cable connections.]
Go back > [scroll down] Manage Wi-Fi settings > turn everything OFF.
* Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication settings > Double click on Turn off the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program > Enabled > OK
Double click on Turn off Windows Error Reporting > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles > Double click on Turn off the advertising ID > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Application Compatibility > Double click on Turn off Application Telemetry > Enabled > OK
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview builds > Double click on Allow Telemetry > Enabled > (below Enabled) click under Options > 0 - Off [Enterprise only]
Double click on Disable pre-release features or settings > Disabled > OK.
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer > Double click on Configure Windows SmartScreen > Enabled > (below Enabled) click under Pick one of the following settings > Turn off SmartSCreen
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates > Disabled [Windows Update will not check for new updates automatically.]
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings > Double-click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage > Enabled > OK
* Start > Settings > Update & security > Advanced options > Choose how updates are delivered: Notify to schedule restart.
Choose how updates are delivered [in blue, below] > Updates from more than one place > OFF
Start > File Explorer > [wait for it to show up, then] Right click on This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Computer Name TAB > Change… > change computer name > OK > REBOOT
Start > Settings > Update & security > Check for updates
YOU CANNOT SELECT INDIVIDUAL UPDATES TO INSTALL ON ANY VERSION OF WINDOWS 10 - even if you simply check for Windows Updates - they all begin installing…
* [In the upper left corner of any folder] Customize Quick Access Toolbar > Only CHECK: New Folder
* [Disable hibernate mode in Desktops] Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator
powercfg -h off
Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Select which icons appear on the taskbar > Windows Explorer > ON
[Back] Turn system icons on or off > Action Center > OFF
[Back] Under Notifications, turn OFF Show me tips about Windows and Show app notifications.
Settings > System > Power & sleep > When plugged in, turn off after 3 hours.
When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after Never.
Additional power settings > Change when the computer sleeps > Click on Change advanced power settings in blue below >
Hard disk > Turn off hard disk after > Setting: 960 Minutes > Apply > OK > Save changes
Settings > System > Storage > see Save locations
Settings > Devices > AutoPlay > OFF
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Turn Windows Firewall on or off > OFF [if using a third-party firewall.]
DO NOT CLICK ANYWHERE on the pop-up window warning that Windows Firewall is turned off or else merely clicking anywhere on that window, (even to try to dismiss it!) would result in turning Windows Firewall back on!
> Advanced settings > Windows Firewall Properties > Firewall state: OFF [if using a third-party firewall.] > Apply > OK.
After turning OFF Windows Firewall, right click on the Start button > CONTROL PANEL >
View by: Large icons > Security and Maintenance > Turn off messages about network firewall > You can also turn off all other messages here.
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Security and Maintenance [lower left] > Make sure Windows SmartScreen is OFF.
Settings > Personalization > Start > set the following to OFF:
Show most used apps ; Show recently added apps ; Use start full screen
Settings > Time & language > Date & time > Set time automatically > ON
Make sure Time zone is correct
Additional date, time, & regional settings > [lower right] Change date, time, or number formats > Additional settings... button [lower right] > Time TAB >
Change Short time from h:mm tt to HH:mm > Apply
Change Long time from h:mm:ss tt to HH:mm:ss > Apply
Date TAB >
Change Short date from M/d/yyyy to dddd, d MMM > Apply
First day of week: Monday > OK
Administrative TAB [on the Region window] > Copy settings... > CHECK everything > OK > OK
* [Disable Indexing] Right click on every drive > Properties > UNCHECK: Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties. You can immediately cancel out instead of waiting for attributes to be changed for every file, this change is about disabling future indexing.
If indexing is turned off, and if you want to do a one time indexing of custom locations:
Open any folder and use the search bar to search for anything > [Next to File Home Share View] click on Search > Advanced options > Change indexed locations > Select locations and Modify >
Indexing may take a very long time, it may be best to do this overnight.
* Right click on Start Menu > Run >
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications" /v "ToastEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v "DisableNotificationCenter" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
* Disable Windows Defender if using third party Firewall & AntiVirus:
Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Defender
Turn off Windows Defender > Enabled
For Windows Home users, this registry key disabled Windows Defender:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
Make a new DWORD and call it
DisableAntiSpyware
Set its value to 1
* [Get rid of "Windows can't verify the publisher of this software" warning when installing drivers:]
Start > gpedit.msc [available on Windows 10 Pro - not available on Windows 10 (non-pro) version.]
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation > Double click on Code signing for device drivers > Enabled > (below Enabled) click on the down arrow next to 'Warn' and select Ignore > OK
* [Get rid of Popup Balloons from the task bar:]
Start Menu > Run > gpedit.msc > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Double click on Turn off all balloon notifications > Enabled > OK >
For non-Pro version of Windows 10, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right click on Advanced and create a new 32-bit DWORD named EnableBalloonTips Double click on it and give it value of 0
* [Get rid of Open File - Security Warning]:
Start Menu > Run > gpedit.msc > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Attachment Manager >
In the right pane, double click on 'Inclusion list for moderate risk file types' > Enabled > Under 'Options: > *.* > OK
Do the same for 'Inclusion list for low file types'
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Double click on Turn off the Security Settings Check feature > Enabled > OK
* [Get rid of Open File - Security Warning for downloaded files]:
Scroll up and set "Do not preserve zone information in file attachments" to Enabled
Then also
Start > Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Internet options > Security TAB > Custom Level > scroll down under Miscellaneous > Launching Applications and Unsafe Files > Enable (not secure) > OK > Yes > OK
Open File - Security Warning may still appear for files downloaded earlier. Those files need to be stripped of alternate data streams using streams.exe program http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897440.aspx
from DOS: streams.exe -d -s <directory path>
* Disable Thumbnail Taskbar Preview:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
> Right click on Advanced and select New DWORD and name it
ExtendedUIHoverTime
Double click on it and give it a large value 99999999
This effectively disables taskbar thumbnail preview because you would have to hover over the task bar for a long time to actually see the thumbnail preview. This takes effect after a reboot.
* Right click > Unpin Task Bar icons and Enable Quick Launch: Right click on an empty space on the taskbar > Toolbars > New Toolbar >
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
> Select Folder
Right click on an empty space on the taskbar > UNCHECK: Lock the taskbar > Left click on the dotted lines on the left side and hold them, then drag it to the right PAST the Quick Launch toolbar and release to get the Toolbar on the left side.
Right click on the taskbar > UNCHECK: Show Text and Show title then above it View > Large Icons
Quick Launch: Show Desktop, Notepad, Drive shortcuts, Email, Firefox
Lock the task bar again.
* Start > All apps > Windows Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler (Local) [upper left] > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Maintenance > Right click on WinSAT > Disable [Or else it will run every week assessing your computer score, interrupting and disrupting you while you are using your computer. Windows Score does not truly reflect your overall hardware performance.]
* Start Menu > Run… > services.msc > Click on Name to line the list Alphabetically > Scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service and double click on it then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK
Scroll down to Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and double click on it > Stop > then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK
Scroll up to Offline Files service [if it's there] and double click on it > Stop > then (in the middle of the window) where it says "Startup type:" SELECT: Disabled > OK >
File > Exit
Right click on Taskbar TAB > Properties > Taskbar buttons (in the middle): Never combine > REBOOT
* Right click on Desktop > Display settings > [scroll down] Advanced display settings > Advanced sizing of text and other items > set a custom scaling level > 120% (or 111% max on Laptops without 1080p resolution) > OK > Apply > Sign out now > Log back in
This will immediately cause Windows 10 to have blurry fonts. Microsoft Developers made Windows 10 have blurry fonts on higher DPI settings, possibly due to mobile device compatibility issues, but on Desktop PCs, this custom made program is the easiest way to revert to Windows 8 and earlier scaling methods which allow clear fonts at higher DPI settings: http://windows10_dpi_blurry_fix.xpexplorer.com/
* Right click on Desktop > Display settings > Advanced display settings > Advanced sizing of text and other items > Select Icons from drop down menu set to 9 and CHECK: Bold > Apply >
Set Title bars 14 ; Menus 14 ; Palette titles 11 > Apply
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > System and Security > System > Remote TAB > settings > UNCHECK: Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer > Apply
Advanced TAB [to the right of Hardware YAB] > (Under Performance) Settings… button >
UNCHECK everything that starts with "Fade" or "Slide" > Apply > OK
Advanced TAB > (Under Startup and Recovery) Settings…button >
UNCHECK: Automatically Restart (so you can read the error code on screen in case of a crash) > OK > OK
* Go inside any folder > View > Medium Icons >
[On the right of the View menu] >
CHECK: File name extensions
CHECK: Hidden items
View > Options [on right] > View TAB >
UNCHECK: Launch folder windows in a separate process
UNCHECK: Hide empty drives in the Computer folder
> Apply > Apply to Folders button > Yes > OK >
* From Windows 95 to Windows XP Explorer has had a STATUS BAR which displayed very useful information at a glance. Microsoft Developers have removed most of that information and have done so in a way that even Classic Shell or other programs cannot restore it.
The alternative is to activate View > Details Pane: [NOT View > Details] but View > Details Pane.
Microsoft Developers have also removed Advanced Appearance Settings from Windows 8/10.
* To change scroll bar size [visible after reboot], go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
Both ScrollHeight and ScrollWidth should have the same value. Use value -350
* When using a word processor (for example) change the window color from white to off white [visible after reboot]:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Colors\Window
and change the value of: Window from 255 255 255 to 255 243 215
do the same for
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors\Window
* Set Recycle Bin default view to Details and only select columns Original Location ; Date Deleted ; Size
* Start Menu > All aps > Windows Accessories > Notepad: Format > CHECK: Word Wrap
then Format > Font… > Verdana 14 Regular > OK
* Get rid of "-shortcut" text when creating shortcuts:
Start Menu > Run... > regedit > go to registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer
Click on Explorer then in the right pane, scroll down and double click on: link > change its value by first deleting 17 then pressing on 0 so it changes from
0000 17 00 00 00
to
0000 00 00 00 00
> OK [This will take effect after rebooting.]
* Get rid of a warning after unchecking 'Hide Protected Operating System Files' option:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden\
Delete WarningIfNotDefault
* Remove 'Include in library' from Right click menu by deleting key 3dad6c5d-2167-4cae-9914-f99e41c12cfa from
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\Library Location
* To insert right click > Notepad option:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\
[If it's not there, create it: Right click on * > New > Key > Shell ]
Right click on Shell > New > Key > Notepad > Double click on (Default) in the right window and enter value &Notepad
then right click on Notepad > New > Key > command > Double click on (Default) in the right window and enter value Notepad.exe %1
* Disable Internet Explorer message when opening Internet Explorer: Your current settings put your computer at risk. Copy this into Notepad and save as a .reg file then double click on it to import it into registry:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"DisableFirstRunCustomize"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"DisableFirstRunCustomize"=-
* Disable 'You have new apps that can open this type of file' nag from showing up *whenever* you install new software. Copy this into Notepad and save as a .reg file then double click on it to import it into registry:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"NoNewAppAlert"=dword:00000001
* Make ALL of the bandwidth available to you:
Start Menu > Run... > gpedit.msc > OK
1. Expand "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Network"
2. Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in the LEFT window
3. In the right window double click on "limit reservable bandwidth"
4. Under the Setting TAB SELECT: "Enabled"
5. Where it says "Bandwidth limit (%)" change it to 0 and Click on OK > File > Exit
Since gpedit.msc is not available on Windows 8 (non-pro) version, go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
Right click on Windows > New > Key > name it Psched
Right click on Psched and create a new 32-bit DWORD named NonBestEffortLimit with value of 0
> REBOOT
* Change User Account picture: Settings > Accounts > Browse to choose picture.
* Right click on desktop > Personalize > Desktop Background > Browse to change desktop background > Choose a fit: Stretch
[Right clicking on the selected picture allows you to assign separate backgrounds to different monitors.]
* Start > Settings > Personalization > Themes > Advanced sound settings > Sounds TAB >
Under Windows: scroll down and click on Asterisk >
Under Sounds: scroll up and SELECT (None) >
then turn off all other sounds from the list that may annoy you.
> Apply, then (above) Save As… to save your sound settings to be able to restore them in case they get reset when other Themes are applied.
Recording TAB > Raise recording levels here if they ever get too low.
Playback TAB > Right Click > UNCHECK: Show Disconnected Devices > Raise playback levels here if they ever get too low.
UNCHECK: Show Disconnected Devices
Here you can Right Click > Set as Default Device [green check mark icon] and you can also use a different device to Set as Default Communication Device [green phone icon] so that it is used to hear sound from communication programs like Skype through Default Communication Device instead of the Default Device.
Here you can also change icons for sound devices and rename sound devices, for example:
HDMI, Headphones, S/PDIF, Small Speakers, S/PDIF Motherboard, Digital Output Motherboard.
> REBOOT
* Place drive shortcuts shortcut in
C:\Users\[user name]\My Documents\ [Also add REVISIONS folder shortcut here]
C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures
* Start > All apps > Windows Accessories > Internet Explorer > Click on Home button to reject Microsoft settings.
Right click on empty space next to IE tabs > CHECK: Menu Bar ; Command Bar ; Status Bar
then Right click next to Command Bar > Customize > SELECT: Show All Text Labels and then in the very same menu [below Show All Text Labels] SELECT: Add or remove commands >
COPY Separator PASTE Separator CUT Separator PRINT Separator TEXT SIZE Separator FULL SCREEN Separator TOOLS
> Close
* CTRL+H > Drop down menu > View By Order Visited Today
* Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner > View downloads > [lower left corner] Options > Browse to set custom default download location
…and UNCHECK: Notify me when my downloads are complete > OK > Close
* Tools > Internet options [bottom] > General Tab > Set Home Page to about:blank
Advanced TAB > under Browsing,
CHECK all 'Disable Script Debugging options
UNCHECK: - Notify when downloads complete
- Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default browser.
CHECK: Send Do Not Track requests to sites you visit in Internet Explorer.
then go down under Multimedia and
UNCHECK: Enable Automatic Image Resizing
then go down under Security and
CHECK: Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid
UNCHECK: Check for signatures on downloaded programs
Content TAB > Auto Complete Settings button > UNCHECK everything > OK
> [next to Feeds and Web Slices] Settings >
UNCHECK: Automatically check feeds and Web Slices for updates
Privacy TAB > UNCHECK: Turn on Pop-up Blocker (if using Internet Explorer for testing purposes and not as a default browser) > OK
* Tools > Manage add-ons > Search Providers >
CHECK: Prevent programs from suggesting changes to my default search provider
in the bottom left corner, click on Find more providers… > Google > Add to Internet Explorer > CHECK: Make this my default search provider > Add
Right click on Google > Set as default
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > Clock, Language, and Region > Date and Time > UNCHECK: Notify me when the clock changes > Internet Time TAB > Change settings… > Server: time.nist.gov > OK > OK >
* Right click on Start button > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > System and Security > Under Administrative Tools, click on Defragment and optimize your drives then wait a minute to see the Optimize Drives window > Change settings > UNCHECK everything > OK > Close
* [Increase file transfer speed] Right click on Start button > Control Panel > > [View by: Category] > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off [second from top] > Scroll down to
Print and Document Services, click on + and if it's there, UNCHECK: Remote Differential Compression API Support > OK
* Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Themes > Theme settings > Save theme (upper right side) > Enter theme name > Save
* Start > Settings > System > Notifications and Actions
* Install .NET Framework 3.5:
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
Code:
Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccessREMOVE START-UP ITEMS AND SHELL EXTENSIONS as you install programs
+ START APPLICATIONS TO SET UP OPTIONS + Place Shortcuts on Desktop
In case of problems, right click on .exe > Properties > Compatibility TAB
* Other Applications (except for AntiVirus)
File extensions may not open with a double click until you actually once:
Right click on a file extension > Open with > Choose default program... > [if it is not on the list] Scroll down > More options > CHECK: Use this app for all .* files > Scroll down > Look for another app on this PC > Browse to default program to open file extension with.
* Rebuild your Windows 10 icon cache: Make this file so it can rebuild your icons when you double click on it. Enter the following into Notepad and save it, then change the extension of the saved file to .bat
@echo off
set iconcache=%localappdata%\IconCache.db
echo.
echo Please SAVE ALL OPEN WORK before continuing.
echo.
echo It will take a few seconds for icons to reappear.
echo.
echo.
echo Next time you reboot, icon cache will be rebuilt.
echo.
echo.
pause
echo.
If exist "%iconcache%" goto delete
echo.
echo The IconCache.db file has already been deleted.
goto restart
:delete
echo.
echo Attempting to delete IconCache.db file...
echo.
ie4uinit.exe -ClearIconCache
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
del "%iconcache%" /A
start explorer.exe
echo.
echo IconCache.db file has been successfully deleted.
exit /B
* Start Windows Media Player 12 > Custom settings > Next > UNCHECK everything > Next > Choose the file types that Windows Media Player will play > Finish > OK
Right click on Windows Media Player top bar > Show menu bar
View > Skin
Tools > Options > Player TAB > UNCHECK: Add local media files to library when played
Privacy TAB > UNCHECK everything
UNCHECK personal preferences in all other TABs.
Start a video file.
ALT+1 or ALT+2 or ALT+3 sets the default video size.
CTRL+1 or CTRL+2 or CTRL+3 sets the default play mode.
Choose ALT+2 and CTRL+2.
* Disable Media Player automatically checking for updates:
Start Menu > Run... > regedit >
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \
Right click on Microsoft > New > Key
name it
WindowsMediaPlayer
Right click on WindowsMediaPlayer > New > DWORD Value > Name it
DisableAutoUpdate
Double click on it and enter the value of 1
* Right click on Start Button > Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Default Programs > Set program access and computer defaults > Click on down arrows across from Custom and scroll down to Choose a default media player >
Next to Windows Media Player, UNCHECK: Enable access to this program
* To prevent Windows Media Player from automatically launching if an Audio CD is inside the optical drive when you double click on it, go to Start Menu > Run… regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AudioCD\
Deleting the entire AudioCD key would display the contents of the Audio CD
[since sometimes there is extra content on it.]
The same applies to DVDs. Delete this key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DVD to always access contents of a DVD without an external program launching to play the content when you double click on your DVD drive shortcut.
* To change drive icons: Start Menu > Run... > regedit > Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer
Right click on Explorer > New > Key > DriveIcons
Right click on DriveIcons > New > Key > the name should be the drive letter, for example C >
Right click on C > New > Key > DefaultIcon
Double click on (Default) in the right pane and set the path to the icon file. If the path is to an icon library, then add the number of the icon inside the library to set the drive icon to, for example c:\windows\system32/shell32.dll,74
* Copy custom icons to Windows\DefaultIcon folder
* Third party software like freeware Types http://izt.name/apps/types/can be used to insert commands into the Right Click Menu and Edit default icons.
Edit with Photoshop for .jpg .bmp .gif .png .tif
Both Edit and Edit with Dreamweaver for .htm
Open in WordPerfect for .txt .wp
Edit with GIF Animator for .gif
Edit in VideoReDo for all Daum PotPlayer default file extensions except .flv
Edit with Adobe Acrobat for .pdf
Open in Sound Forge for .ac3. .avi .flac mp3 .mpeg .mpg .rm .vob .wav
Open in Sony Vegas Video for .avi. mpeg .mpg .vob
Edit in Avidemux for .ac3 .avi
Open in Excel for .xml
* Make sure file extension custom associations start with programs they are supposed to.
• Daum PotPlayer default file extensions:
.3gp .ac3 .amr .asf .avi .dvr-ms .evo .flv .m2ts .m4v .mkv .mov .mp4 .mpeg .mpg .ra .ram .rlm .rm .wma .wmv .wtv
• Notepad default file extensions:
.css .dat .diz .nfo .usr
• Firefox default file extensions:
.htm .html .swf
• Winamp default file extensions:
.aac .cda .flac .m3u .m4a .mid .midi .mp3 .ogg .wav
Use Types to remove Add to Winamp's &Bookmark list right click option.
Set custom icons for .cda .flac .mid .midi .mp3 .wav
• XnView default file extensions:
.bmp .gif .giff .jpe .jpeg .jpg .pbm .png .tif .tiff
• 7-Zip default file extension:
.7z
• Adobe Reader default file extension:
• Excel default file extension:
.xlsx
• Excel 2003 default file extension:
.xls
• ImgBurn default file extension:
.ibb
• Internet Explorer default file extension:
.mht
• Microangelo Studio default file extension:
.ico
• Notepad++ default file extensions:
.srt .txt .xml
• Sumatra PDF default file extensions:
.djvu .epub .mobi
• VideoReDo default file extension:
.VPrj
• WinRAR default file extension:
.rar
• WinZip default file extension:
.zip
• Word default file extensions:
.docx .odt
• Word 2003 default file extension:
.doc
• WordPad default file extensions:
.rdf .rtf .wri
• Photoshop default file extension:
.psd
• UltraISO default file extensions:
.daa .iso
• Photoshop default file extension:
.psd
• WordPerfect 5.1 default file extension:
.wp
Set Custom... WAV templates:
• WAV for CD at [44,100 Hz PCM 16 Bit]
• WAV for DVD [at 48,000 Hz PCM 16 Bit]
Set Custom... AC3-Pro templates:
• AC3 448 Kbps [48 kHz -31dB]
PreProcessing TAB > change both the Line mode profile and RF mode profile to NONE.
Audio Service TAB > Dialog normalization: -31 dB.
Set Custom MPEG-2 templates:
• 704 x 480 ; 4:3 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Upper
[Project: Best ; Video Output type: DVD ; Video: 704 x 480 ; Upper field first ; Video quality High ; Constant bit rate 8,100,000 ; no Audio stream; System: Save as separate elementary streams]
• 720 x 480 ; 4:3 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Lower
• 720 x 480 ; 16:9 at Constant bit rate 8,100,000 Lower
* Add default Grayscale Scan resolution 138 DPI (1600 x 1200).
* Add Color Scan resolution 200 DPI.
* Place folder shortcuts in Send to Menu and remove unneeded items from it:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
* Change location of Windows Shell folders to folders of choice, for easy backup / restore:
[Desktop, Favorites, Programs, Saved Games, SendTo, Start Menu, Startup]
Original locations can be viewed at
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
but do not change registry values directly inside Windows registry.
To move a special Windows shell folder such as Desktop, create the new destination folder first so you can browse to it later.
Right click on the *current* Windows shell folder > Properties > Location TAB > Move >
Browse to new location > Apply > Yes > OK
* In case of problems assigning custom icons,
Right click on a file extension > Open with > Choose default program... > Scroll down > More options > CHECK: Use this app for all .* files > Scroll down > Look for another app on this PC > Browse to default program to open file extension with. This will re-associate the extension with the program and allow for custom icon to be set.
> REBOOT
* Favorites Menu Order
Saved previously from HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ MenuOrder \ Favorites
Click once on Favorites and then (on the menu) click on Registry > Export Registry File... to save this file.
* regedit Favorites are:
• Restore Desktop Layout
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JOConnell\Desktop\Layout 1920 x 1080
• Delete autocheck autochk *
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager
• Favorites Menu Order
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ MenuOrder \ Favorites
• TBIMount - Unmount Drive Letter
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\TBIMount - Unmount Drive Letter
• Excel 2013 Recent Documents List
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Excel\File MRU
• Word 2013 Recent Documents List
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\File MRU
* Hide drive-letters from the Send To menu, so you can select only the drives you need in the SendTo menu by placing their shortcuts in the Windows SendTo Menu folder:
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on Explorer and create a new DWORD value called NoDrivesInSendToMenu
Double click on NoDrivesInSendToMenu and give it a value of 1.
* Go to a folder where only music files are and adjust View to Content. Then go to View > Options [on right] > View TAB > Apply to Folders > Yes > OK [This sets the default view for all folders containing music, not other types of folders.]
Do the same for a folder with pictures, using a view of your choice such as Large Icons.
* Video Card Drivers + any video card software
* Drivers for other cards, update all drivers, install Scanner Software
* Start Menu > All Apps > Windows Administrative tools > Task Scheduler > Double click on Consolidator [top of the scrolling window, middle bottom]
It is part of Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program > Click on Delete (not Delete Folder) in the right pane to delete this Task. Go back and Delete Consolidator Tasks in the same way four or more times until you get an empty window.
Delete Proxy.
Delete Automatic App Update. Go back and delete Automatic App Update Tasks in the same way four or more times until you get an empty window.
Delete Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser. Go back and delete Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser Tasks in the same way three or more times until you get an empty window.
* When you open a CD or DVD, you may see message Files Ready to Be Written to Disc (1) desktop.ini
To disable it, delete contents of this folder then right click on it:
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn
or
C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn
Properties > Security TAB > Edit > Click on Administrators and any user name > (to the right of Full Control) CHECK: Deny > Apply > Yes > OK > OK
* Now install AntiVirus
* COMODO Firewall + Blocked Files
Create a new folder on your Windows desktop (New > Folder) and save it with the text below:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
[This will create a folder with shortcuts to many Administrative functions in Windows 10.
The name of the folder can be changed.]
* Set up Ccelaner cookies
* If Firefox reverts to original window after opening a new window, use Notepad to add line
ProtectedMode=0
to file
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\mms.cfg
* Compressed music folders Folderviews should be List.
* Right click on Start Button > Control Panel > [View by: Small icons] > Indexing Options > Modify to set folders > Advanced Options > Rebuild
* Start installed programs once
* Use WinPatrol to remove Startup Programs and IE Helpers (Internet Explorer Add-ons)
* Cleanup the Start Menu.
CLASSIC SHELL: http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
START MENU LOCATION 1: "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"
START MENU LOCATION 2: "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"
DESKTOP LOCATION: "%USERPROFILE%\Destop"
DESKTOP LOCATIONS (other): C:\Users\{username}
SEND TO LOCTION: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
PUBLIC FOLDERS: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\Public
After creating a shortcut with %Environmental Variables%, set the shortcut to READ-ONLY,
otherwise the Environmental Variable may be changed to actual drive letter location by Windows.
* Cleanup Right Click New menu. Create a New file, see what the extension is then go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.[whatever the extension is] and delete key ShellNew.
* Start Menu > Control Panel > [View by: Category] > Hardware and Sound > Again check both Playback and Recording properties (Raise Volume Bars) for audio devices and check system sounds > Rename Playback hardware > OK
* See C:\Users and delete unnecessary items from Desktop and Start Menu and Favorites
Delete unnecessary sample files (from places like Documents…)
Right click on Desktop > Personalize > Save theme (middle right side) > Save As…
* Once again, right click on Taskbar TAB > Properties > Taskbar TAB > [in the middle] Notification Area: Customize… button > Select which icons appear on the taskbar
[If it doesn't display, try clicking on Turn system icons on or off first.]
Atomic Clock, Free Download Manager, Antivirus, Windows Explorer, Network, Volume
* After updating Microsoft .NET, force the installed updates to be compiled:
Use DOS to get to the location of ngen.exe
and execute
NGEN queue status
NGEN executequeueditems
For example:
Start > All Apps > Windows System > Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator >
cd C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319
NGEN queue status
NGEN executequeueditems
* Once again, confirm that windows firewall is off:
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Turn Windows Firewall on or off > OFF [if using a third-party firewall.]
> Advanced settings > Windows Firewall Properties > Firewall state: OFF [if using a third-party firewall.] > Apply > OK.
After turning OFF Windows Firewall, right click on the Start button > CONTROL PANEL >
View by: Large icons > Security and Maintenance > Turn off messages about network firewall > You can also turn off all other messages here.
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Windows Firewall > Security and Maintenance [lower left] > Make sure Windows SmartScreen is OFF.
* Install any additional system fonts
* Start Menu > Run… > services.msc > Click on Name to line the list Alphabetically > Disable Adobe Acrobat Update Service.
Most services should not be disabled here as this may prevent software you actually need from starting.
* Run this .reg file to remove All User Folders From being displayed under This PC on 64-bit Windows 10:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Remove Desktop From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
; Remove Documents From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]
; Remove Downloads From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]
; Remove Music From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}]
; Remove Pictures From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]
; Remove Videos From This PC
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}]
* Remove Windows Defender Right click menus:
Run:
regsvr32 /i "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\shellext.dll"
* Remove OneDrive from Navigation Pane, create this .bat file:
@echo off
REG ADD "HKCR\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}\ShellFolder" /V Attributes /T REG_DWORD /D 4035969101 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe
* Remove Quick access from This PC:
First go to any folder > View > Options [on the right] > General TAB > Open File Explorer to: This PC
Then go to this registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder
Right click on ShellFolder > Permissions… > Advanced > Change > type in Administrator or your user name > Check Names > OK > Apply > OK > Click on Administrators or your user name > CHECK to Allow Full Control > Apply > OK
Now change the value of Attributes [under Default] to
a0600000
> OK
Repeat the process for ShellFolder located at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder
Sign out for change to take effect.
* Before Windows 8.1, Hard Disk Drives were in a separate This PC category from Devices with Removable Storage. There is no way to separate them as they used to be but as a workaround:
This PC > Right-click on empty area Group by > More... > CHECK: File System > OK
Now again Right-click on empty area > Group by > File system
* The following .exe files can be blocked:
Background Task Host: backgroundtaskhost.exe
Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program: wsqmcons.exe
Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry: compattelrunner.exe
Microsoft Feedback SIUF Deployment Manager Client: dmclient.exe
Host Process for Windows Tasks: taskhostw.exe
SIH Client for background installation of Windows updates: sihclient.exe
* Internet Explorer Personalized ads ON-OFF page switch:
https://choice.microsoft.com/en-us/opt-out#
* Make this script.bat file to once again make sure privacy options are changed:
REM *** Remove Telemetry & Data Collection ***
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection" /v "AllowTelemetry" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT" /v DontOfferThroughWUAU /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows" /v "CEIPEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat" /v "AITEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat" /v "DisableUAR" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v "AllowTelemetry" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REM *** SCHEDULED TASKS tweaks ***
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\AppID\SmartScreenSpecific" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" /Disable
REM schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\CloudExperienceHost\CreateObjectTask" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Consolidator" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\KernelCeipTask" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\UsbCeip" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskDiagnostic\Microsoft-Windows-DiskDiagnosticDataCollector" /Disable
REM schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskFootprint\Diagnostics" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\File History (maintenance mode)" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Maintenance\WinSAT" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\NetTrace\GatherNetworkInfo" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\PI\Sqm-Tasks" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\QueueReporting" /Disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\Automatic App Update" /Disable
* Make an Image and make sure to Verify Image after transferring it to its backup location.
• To disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement:
Start Menu > Run... > shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
System will restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
Select: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
[Repeat each time you need to install an unsigned driver, Driver Signature Enforcement cannot be disabled permanently]
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