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- Aug 30, 2006
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| System Name | ICE-QUAD // ICE-CRUNCH |
|---|---|
| Processor | Q6600 // 2x Xeon 5472 |
| Memory | 2GB DDR // 8GB FB-DIMM |
| Video Card(s) | HD3850-AGP // FireGL 3400 |
| Display(s) | 2 x Samsung 204Ts = 3200x1200 |
| Audio Device(s) | Audigy 2 |
| Software | Windows Server 2003 R2 as a Workstation now migrated to W10 with regrets. |
I am setting up a clean install of W10 22H2.
This is my current minimum install recommendations, amended to include recommendations from other TPU users, to make a minimal-clean-look-install, nice and tidy, with telemetries off, and essential security and protection on.
Recommended productivity APPS, SOFTWARE, UTILITIES is not part of this. The objective is a baseline clean install, from which each user can then build their own environment.
I'll keep this OP updated as and when essential elements or recommendations from TPU members come in. This is a KISS baseline, not a Power User All Bells and Whistles.
===================
STEP 1 - W10 IMG Install
===================
OK, after a basic installation, there are things that need to go - bloat and telemetries - and things that need to be added. Follow this table in chronological order.
Ok, that's the baseline install ready. I'll make a system restore point and backup image of that.
From this point, install whatever applications and utilities (oh, and games), that you require for your usage scenario.
If you think there are any other baseline essentials that should be added, or indeed, if there are better options that what I have listed above, please comment, and I will update the table above.
This is my current minimum install recommendations, amended to include recommendations from other TPU users, to make a minimal-clean-look-install, nice and tidy, with telemetries off, and essential security and protection on.
Recommended productivity APPS, SOFTWARE, UTILITIES is not part of this. The objective is a baseline clean install, from which each user can then build their own environment.
I'll keep this OP updated as and when essential elements or recommendations from TPU members come in. This is a KISS baseline, not a Power User All Bells and Whistles.
===================
STEP 1 - W10 IMG Install
===================
OK, after a basic installation, there are things that need to go - bloat and telemetries - and things that need to be added. Follow this table in chronological order.
| What | What does it do | Comments | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows10Debloater | Script/Utility/Application to debloat Windows 10, to remove Windows pre-installed unnecessary applications, stop some telemetry functions, stop Cortana from being used as your Search Index, disable unnecessary scheduled tasks, and more... | I ran this - but there is still unwanted bloat on fresh 22H2 install, such as Disney, Spotify, Xbox. Maybe these will be added to newer versions of the tool, but for now, I manually removed them. Recommended by @Kodehawa | https://github.com/Sycnex/Windows10Debloater Manually remove remaining Apps, like Disney+ Spotify Xbox: Settings / Apps / find the unwanted app, advanced options, Reset then Uninstall. |
| iobit Uninstaller | Thorough uninstaller, with registry database about how to clean up sticky software and registry settings | Removing Xbox through Control panel did not clean it up fully. iobit seemed to do a better job. It disappoints me that there is so much sticky bloat on a clean Windows Pro install. Recommended by @95Viper After I used it to clean up the default W10 install, I deleted iobit itself. LOL | Search for a download site that offers iobit uninstaller. The iobit site itself doesn't offer a download link for the FREE version, only a pop, which if you run a popup blocker, will stop you from downloading it. I used Majorgeeks but there are many others. |
| OneDrive | Remove MS OneDrive unless you want your PC constantly pinging to MS cloud servers | OneDrive likes to keep reinstalling itself, e.g. check after an MS Office install in case it reinstalls | Control Panel / Programs / Uninstall or Change a program / Remove OneDrive |
| OpenShell | Classic style Start menu for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 Toolbar for Windows Explorer | I used to run ClassicShell, which has now stopped development, and OpenShell seems to be a take-on open source version that so far matches the capability and look of ClassicShell, recommended by @newtekie1 | https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases/latest |
| Tidy up the Desktop | Just get the desktop clean, and add back classic icons to the desktop. | - background colour solid - / Taskbar Settings / Background - put PC and Network icons on the desktop - / Taskbar Settings / Themes / Scroll down to desktop icon settings / Click the desktop icons you want - better icons for PC and Network - / Taskbar Settings / Themes / Scroll down to desktop icon settings / Click on the icon / Change icon... / Look for icons in this file C:\Windows\System32\netshell.dll | Right click on taskbar, orms-settings:personalization-background |
| Keyboard Driver for Apple DE keyboard | Let's you use Mac keyboard on Windows, correctly mapping keys to characters | DE and CH keyboard layouts | https://github.com/christian-korneck/win10-keyboard-macbook-german/releases |
| O&O ShutUp | Disable so many telemetry settings | Survives reboot Requires re-running after Windows Upgrades, which, in the spirit of good data sniffing, MS turns back on! Recommended by @Mussels | https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 |
| Chromium | Web browser, but without Google's chrome telemetries | Use browser of your choice. This is currently my preferred minimum browser. | Latest build https://chromium.woolyss.com/ |
| .extensions | adblocker popup blocker | I was shocked running a fresh install of Chromium how many ads there are on the average website. Thank goodness for ad and popup blockers. These are the ones I use | Chrome / More tools / Extensions / ≡ / Open Chrome Webstore AdGuard AdBlocker Popup Blocker (strict) |
| Windows Defender | MS own antivirus and firewall | There are various options to "harden" Defender. I don't, but it is worth looking at the options and deciding what is right for you. | |
| Other antivirus providers | In place of, or in addition to, Windows Defender | This is a whole topic in itself. If I see useful threads discussing these here on TPU I will link to them, | Overview of different solutions, worth reading through https://www.av-test.org/en/ https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/advanced-threat-protection-test-2022-consumer/ |
| Network | Set Network Name | Make sure the PC can be seen on your private network - the default network name might need changing. Also make sure your computer name is in ALL CAPS - mysterious Windows issues can occur otherwise | Control Panel / System / scroll down to Rename this PC (advanced) Enter the name and workgroup for the PC WARNING - network discovery browser no longer works in explorer due to SMBv1 not being installed on all new W10/W11 installations |
| Network Discovery | Find resources on your LAN including Windows Shares | Explorer Network Browser is broken on W10/W11 new installs. (SMBv1 is not longer available, and network discovery and explorer relied on it and MS did not develop a new discovery version to work with the new network protocols) | Advanced IP Scanner includes discovery and "open in explorer" right click www.advanced-ip-scanner.com |
| File Manager, Explorer | Replacement or alternative to Windows Explorer, clean minimal look, with tabs | I'm pretty happy with W10 Explorer, except for the network discovery issue above. In my search for solutions, I came across this Explorer alternative. It is called Files, it has a cleaner look than Explorer and also has tabs. I'm using it now. | https://github.com/files-community/Files |
| Disk Partitions | Organise your disk into partitions | I partition my HDDs into C: for OS and programs, D: for data (that I back up), S: for SetUpFiles for installers. After I make the changes, I usually uninstall the disk partition manager. Don't need it any more. | minitool partition wizard 10.3 or 11.5 AOMEI partition assistant |
| nomachine | Remote access to the PC | Long time ago, if a PC/server needed work, I would attach a keyboard and screen if local. If remote, I would use Dameware. No more. nomachine works perfectly on LAN or remotely over internet, and can work across Windows and OSX. | https://www.nomachine.com/ |
| MS Sandbox | MS own Sandbox for a safe environment for testing | New installs W10/W11 have all the files necessary to set up and run the Sandbox. However, some installation is required. Follow MS's instructions | Windows Sandbox | Microsoft Learn |
Ok, that's the baseline install ready. I'll make a system restore point and backup image of that.
From this point, install whatever applications and utilities (oh, and games), that you require for your usage scenario.
If you think there are any other baseline essentials that should be added, or indeed, if there are better options that what I have listed above, please comment, and I will update the table above.
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