Windows 10 Tweaks for VGA Benchmark

W1zzard · Dec 14, 2016

Updated for Windows 10 21H2 Update

- Install without Internet, so you can create an offline user
- name the user "TPU" (the user will be deleted at the end of the scripts and you're using "Administrator")
- Install VGA driver, from USB, still without network, so Windows Update won't install a graphics driver automatically. Protip: use NVCleanstall
- Run Windows Update, update everything
- No need to update Windows Store apps
- Disable Defender "Tamper protection" via Settings App
- Run the below in admin-rights cmd shell.

Run after installation

Code:

rem Turn off Windows Startup Recovery Screen
bcdedit /set {current} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no

rem Create new pagefile. (2nd line indented because wmic will eat a character when pasting)
wmic pagefileset delete
  wmic pagefileset create name=C:\pagefile.sys
  wmic pagefileset set InitialSize=16384,MaximumSize=16384

rem Enable Administrator account
net user Administrator /active:yes

rem Make sure time and date are correct
w32tm /resync /rediscover

rem Disable Error Reporting
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting" /v Disabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable automatic TCG/Opal disk locking on supported SSD drives with PSID
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EnhancedStorageDevices /v TCGSecurityActivationDisabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Control Panel shows Large Icons
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v ForceClassicControlPanel /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable UAC
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v PromptOnSecureDesktop /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable discovery of LAN devices like printers
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NcdAutoSetup\Private /f /v AutoSetup /t REG_DWORD /d 0

rem Delete all printers discovered so far
powershell "Get-WMIObject Win32_Printer | where{$_.Network -eq 'true'} | foreach{$_.delete()}"

rem Set Ethernet connection to private
powershell Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias Ethernet* -NetworkCategory private

rem Disable Warnings due to Firewall / Defender being disabled
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\Windows.SystemToast.SecurityAndMaintenance /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications" /v DisableNotifications /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable Windows Firewall for private network
netsh advfirewall set private state off

rem Disable Windows Defender. For this to work you have to manually disable "Tamper protection"
powershell "if ((Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Features').TamperProtection -eq 4) { exit 0; } ; Write-Output 'Windows Defender can not be disabled, Tamper Protection is still active' '' 'Disable Tamper Protection manually, then press OK' | msg /w *"
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet" /v SpyNetReporting /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet" /v SubmitSamplesConsent /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v DisableRealtimeMonitoring /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v SmartScreenEnabled /t REG_SZ /d "Off" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableRoutinelyTakingAction /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v SecurityHealth /f

rem Block Windows PC Health Check installation
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHC /f /v PreviousUninstall /t REG_DWORD /d 1

rem Uninstall Windows PC Health Check
wmic product where name='Windows PC Health Check' call uninstall

rem Disable update to Windows 11
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings /f /v SvOfferDeclined /t REG_QWORD /d 1
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings /f /v SvDismissedState /t REG_DWORD /d 1
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f /v DisableOSUpgrade /t REG_DWORD /d 1
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f /v ProductVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 10

rem Disable "Consumer Features" (aka downloading apps from the internet automatically)
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent /v DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable the "how to use Windows" contextual popups
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent /v DisableSoftLanding /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable Lock Screen
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization /v NoLockScreen /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Remove Logon Wallpaper
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System /v DisableLogonBackgroundImage /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Remove Meet Now icon
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v HideSCAMeetNow /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable One Drive
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive /v DisableFileSyncNGSC /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
start /wait %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
rd "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft OneDrive" /Q /S
reg delete "HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v OneDriveSetup /f
reg delete "HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v OneDriveSetup /f
reg load HKLM\DEFAULT c:\users\default\ntuser.dat
reg delete HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v OneDriveSetup /f
reg unload HKLM\DEFAULT

rem Disable Hibernate
powercfg -h off

rem Turn off sleep mode
powercfg.exe -x -standby-timeout-ac 0

rem Set 4 hours screen blank timeout
powercfg.exe -x -monitor-timeout-ac 240

rem Disable System Restore and delete restore points
powershell disable-computerrestore c:
vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet

rem Set Timezone
tzutil /s "W. Europe Standard Time"

rem Disable reboot on Bluescreen, and no dump
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl /v CrashDumpEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl /v LogEvent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl /v SendAlert /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl /v AutoReboot /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Don't allow Remote Assistance
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Remote Assistance" /v fAllowToGetHelp /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Enable Remote Desktop
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Allow Remote Desktop without password
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa /v LimitBlankPasswordUse /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Remove icons from This PC
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f
reg add HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag /v ThisPCPolicy /t REG_SZ /d Hide /f

rem Remove 3D Objects from Explorer
reg delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A} /f
reg delete HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A} /f

rem Remove all Pinned Items from Start Menu (for new users only)
echo ^<LayoutModificationTemplate xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" Version="1" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification"^>^<LayoutOptions StartTileGroupCellWidth="6" /^>^<DefaultLayoutOverride^>^<StartLayoutCollection^>^<defaultlayout:StartLayout GroupCellWidth="6"^>^</defaultlayout:StartLayout^>^</StartLayoutCollection^>^</DefaultLayoutOverride^>^</LayoutModificationTemplate^> > C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\LayoutModification.xml

rem Disable Edge Browser preload on startup. We'll never use it anyway, saves memory and startup time
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main /v AllowPrelaunch /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Edge Browser (Chromium) first run experience
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v HideFirstRunExperience /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Do not start Edge on first-login after user created
reg load HKLM\DEFAULT c:\users\default\ntuser.dat
reg add HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-310093Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg unload HKLM\DEFAULT

rem Disable Look for App in Store prompt when opening unknown file type
reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer /v NoUseStoreOpenWith /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable Windows Program Compatibility Assistant
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat /v DisablePCA /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable Inventory collecting data and sending the info to Microsoft
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat /v DisableInventory /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable Application Telemetry
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat /v AITEnable /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Shared Experiences
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System /v EnableCdp /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable News and interests panel in taskbar
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Feeds" /v EnableFeeds /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Shutdown Menu options "Lock" and "Sleep"
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FlyoutMenuSettings" /v ShowSleepOption /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FlyoutMenuSettings" /v ShowLockOption /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Make sure junk apps like Candy Crush don't get installed when we login first time with our Administrator account
reg load HKLM\DEFAULT c:\users\default\ntuser.dat
reg add HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v PreInstalledAppsEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v OemPreInstalledAppsEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg unload HKLM\DEFAULT

rem Remove useless Windows components
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:Printing-XPSServices-Features
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:WorkFolders-Client
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:Printing-Foundation-Features
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:Printing-Foundation-InternetPrinting-Client
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:MSRDC-Infrastructure
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:SmbDirect
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:MediaPlayback
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:WCF-TCP-PortSharing45
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:WCF-Services45
dism /online /norestart /disable-feature /featurename:WindowsMediaPlayer

rem Install .NET 3.5 Framework, some older apps and games need this, and you can't install it on demand once Windows Update is disabled
dism /online /norestart /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /all

rem Remove useless optional features
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:App.Support.QuickAssist~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:MathRecognizer~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Media.WindowsMediaPlayer~~~~0.0.12.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Browser.InternetExplorer~~~~0.0.11.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Handwriting~~~en-US~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Management.Console~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Hello.Face.18967~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:App.StepsRecorder~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:DirectX.Configuration.Database~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Speech~~~en-US~0.0.1.0
rem Do not remove OCR or Windows will show "Something happened, and we couldn't install a feature" a few hours after cleanup
rem dism /online /norestart /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.OCR~~~en-US~0.0.1.0

rem Remove all apps except for Store
powershell "Get-AppXPackage | Where Name -NotLike "*WindowsStore*" | Remove-AppXPackage"
powershell "sleep 5"
powershell "Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -online | Where DisplayName -NotLike "*WindowsStore*" | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage –online"

rem Set Computer name
powershell "Rename-Computer -NewName VGATEST"

rem Finished

Download and install Firefox silently, make it default browser and adjust settings to remove telemetry and other junk

Code:

PowerShell "(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest&os=win64&lang=en-US','%TEMP%\ff.exe'); Start-Process %TEMP%\ff.exe /s -NoNewWindow -Wait; Remove-Item %TEMP%\ff.exe"

echo pref("general.config.filename", "firefox.cfg"); > "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref\autoconfig.js"
echo pref("general.config.obscure_value", 0); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref\autoconfig.js"

echo lockPref("browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone", "ignore"); > "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"
echo lockPref("browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled", false); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"
echo lockPref("datareporting.healthreport.uploadEnabled", false); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"
echo lockPref("app.shield.optoutstudies.enabled", false); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"
echo lockPref("extensions.pocket.enabled", false); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"
echo lockPref("browser.toolbars.bookmarks.visibility", "never"); >> "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.cfg"

rem Looks complicated, but this seems to be the only thing that works, let me know if you know an alternative
Powershell "Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe' -ArgumentList '-setDefaultBrowser' ; Start-Sleep -s 3 ; Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe' -ArgumentList '-setDefaultBrowser' ; Start-Sleep -s 3 ; taskkill /im firefox.exe ; taskkill /im firefox.exe ; taskkill /f /im systemsettings.exe"

User-specific (run after logging in as Administrator)

Code:

rem Install AnyDesk
rem PowerShell "(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://download.anydesk.com/AnyDesk-CM.exe', '%TEMP%\ad.exe')" && start /wait %TEMP%\ad.exe --remove-first --install "%ProgramFiles%\AnyDesk" --start-with-win --update-manually --create-shortcuts --create-desktop-icon && del %TEMP%\ad.exe

rem Delete TPU user and user profile
net user TPU /delete
powershell "Get-WmiObject Win32_UserProfile | where {$_.localpath -like '*TPU'} | Remove-WmiObject"

rem Disable Windows Game DVR and Game Bar
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR /v AppCaptureEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR /v GameDVR_Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Game Mode
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar /v AutoGameModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\System\GameConfigStore /v GameDVR_FSEBehavior /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

rem Disable "Fix apps that are blurry" popup
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v IgnorePerProcessSystemDPIToast /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Hide Search Box from Task Bar
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v SearchboxTaskbarMode /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Web Search Results
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v BingSearchEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer /v DisableSearchBoxSuggestions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Block Search from using Location
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v AllowSearchToUseLocation /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Cortana
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v CortanaConsent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Hide People button from Task Bar
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\People /v PeopleBand /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Hide Cortana button
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowCortanaButton /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Hide Task View button
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowTaskViewButton /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable "Let's finish setting up your device" nag screen
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UserProfileEngagement /v ScoobeSystemSettingEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Windows Explorer Start on This PC instead of Quick Access
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v LaunchTo /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable frequent/recent items in Explorer Quick Access
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v ShowFrequent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v ShowRecent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Windows Feedback
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules /v NumberOfSIUFInPeriod /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Show My Computer on Desktop
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel /v "{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Recycle Bin
reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v NoRecycleFiles /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v ConfirmFileDelete /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Don't show Recycle Bin on Desktop
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu /v "{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel /v "{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Set 24 hour time format
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\International" /v iFirstDayOfWeek /t REG_SZ /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\International" /v sShortDate /t REG_SZ /d "yyyy-MM-dd" /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\International" /v sShortTime /t REG_SZ /d "HH:mm" /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\International" /v sTimeFormat /t REG_SZ /d "HH:mm:ss" /f

rem Turn off Sticky Key when Shift is pressed 5 times
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Accessibility\StickyKeys" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d "506" /f

rem Show file extensions in Explorer
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideFileExt /t  REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Show Hidden Files in Explorer
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Setup taskbar
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarGlomming /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarGlomLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarSmallIcons /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowTaskViewButton /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Disable Windows 10 App Suggestions in Start
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-338388Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Always show more details in file copy dialog
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\OperationStatusManager /v EnthusiastMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Set "Do this for all current items" checkbox by default
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\OperationStatusManager /v ConfirmationCheckBoxDoForAll /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Expand left side tree of current folder on Explorer open
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v NavPaneExpandToCurrentFolder /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

rem Disable "Let Windows manage my default printer"
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows /f /v LegacyDefaultPrinterMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1

rem Turn off Wallpaper
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers /v BackgroundType /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v Wallpaper /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v LastUpdated /t REG_DWORD /d 0xffffffff /f
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Colors" /v Background /t REG_SZ /d "45 125 154" /f

rem Remove 10 second startup delay for application restore
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize /v StartupDelayInMSec /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

rem Unpin everything from Taskbar
powershell "(New-Object -Com Shell.Application).NameSpace('shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}').Items()| foreach { ($_).Verbs() | ?{$_.Name.Replace('&', '') -match 'Unpin from taskbar'} | %{$_.DoIt()}  }"

rem Remove secondary en-US keyboard that gets added when keyboard is set to DE with US region
reg delete "HKCU\Control Panel\International\User Profile\en-US" /v "0409:00000409" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Control Panel\International\User Profile System Backup\en-US" /v "0409:00000409" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Keyboard Layout\Preload" /v "2" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Keyboard Layout\Substitutes" /v "d0010409" /f

rem Remove desktop.ini files from Desktop
del /a C:\Users\Public\Desktop\desktop.ini
del /a C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\desktop.ini

rem Remove Edge from Desktop
del "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\Microsoft Edge.lnk"

Permanently disable Windows Update
Please note, once disabled, you can only restore MANUAL updates, the (default) automatic behavior is gone

Code:

rem Stop and delete Windows Update Medic Service (it re-enables Windows Update)
net stop WaasMedicSvc
takeown /f %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WaaSMedicSvc.dll
cacls %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WaaSMedicSvc.dll /e /p "Administrator":f
del %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WaaSMedicSvc.dll

rem Stop and disable Update Orchestrator Service
net stop UsoSvc
takeown /f %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\usosvc.dll
cacls %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\usosvc.dll /e /p "Administrator":f
ren %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\usosvc.dll usosvc.dll.disabled

rem Stop and disable Windows Update Service
net stop wuauserv
takeown /f %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\wuaueng.dll
cacls %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\wuaueng.dll /e /p "Administrator":f
ren %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\wuaueng.dll wuaueng.dll.disabled

rem Remove scheduled tasks
PowerShell "(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://www.poweradmin.com/paexec/paexec.exe','%TEMP%\paexec.exe');
for /f "delims=" %f in ('dir /b %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WaaSMedic') do %TEMP%\paexec -i -s schtasks /delete /f /tn "Microsoft\Windows\WaaSMedic\%f"
rmdir %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WaaSMedic
copy NUL %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WaaSMedic

for /f "delims=" %f in ('dir /b %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator') do %TEMP%\paexec -i -s schtasks /delete /f /tn "Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator\%f"
rmdir %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator
copy NUL %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator

for /f "delims=" %f in ('dir /b %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate') do %TEMP%\paexec -i -s schtasks /delete /f /tn "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\%f"
rmdir %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
copy NUL %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

del %TEMP%\paexec.exe

Restore Windows Update (manual updates only)

Code:

net stop wuauserv
ren %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\wuaueng.dll.disabled wuaueng.dll
net stop UsoSvc
ren %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\usosvc.dll.disabled usosvc.dll

jboydgolfer · Dec 14, 2016

And this only provides an improvement in benchmarks?

That's too bad

W1zzard · Dec 14, 2016

jboydgolfer said:
And this only provides an improvement in benchmarks?

That's too bad

That's parts of what I'm using to get rid of all the Windows 10 junk.

Read the comments and pick what you want personally, could be useful for some people

Solaris17 · Dec 20, 2016

Is there a specific reason for UAC you dont just change EnableLUA to 0?

Frick · Dec 21, 2016

Why disable Defender?

W1zzard · Dec 21, 2016

Frick said:
Why disable Defender?

Useless junk, also creates background activity that messes with scores

Solaris17 said:
Is there a specific reason for UAC you dont just change EnableLUA to 0?

From what I understand mine still runs IE in low integrity mode while yours completely turns off UAC. Yours is probably better, I'll evaluate on next rebench and update

Solaris17 · Dec 21, 2016

W1zzard said:
Useless junk, also creates background activity that messes with scores

From what I understand mine still runs IE in low integrity mode while yours completely turns off UAC. Yours is probably better, I'll evaluate on next rebench and update

Cool just curious. Let us know.

Steevo · Dec 21, 2016

You are missing a space in the app capture line.

Also, thanks. I deleted Cortana the hard way.

W1zzard · Dec 21, 2016

Steevo said:
You are missing a space in the app capture line.

Fixed, it was in the wrong section anyway, belongs to user-specific

biffzinker · Dec 21, 2016

W1zzard said:
rem Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager setx DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES 1 -m

Windows 10 out of the box shows hidden devices in Device Manager.

Edit: Thank you for sharing the batch files. @W1zzard

jboydgolfer · Jan 6, 2017

W1zzard said:
Fixed, it was in the wrong section anyway, belongs to user-specific

I don't know if it's intended to do this or I'm having a separate issue but after trying these tweaks my windows defender is completely disabled and portions of my Malwarebytes are not working properly namely the real time protection elements.

I don't know if this is just a coincidence , since I don't know that it directly relates to these tweaks , but I'm just going to restore from an image I have for just such a situation.

Derek12 · Jan 6, 2017

If only DWM could be turned off...

fullinfusion · Jan 6, 2017

@W1zzard

Why don't you create an app that can allow the user to just click and bench, then click and be back to normal?

Thanks for sharing thou :respect:

eidairaman1 · Jan 6, 2017

jboydgolfer said:
how do i set the time back to Non military time ?? jk

also, im assuming u live in Germany , huh W1ZZ, thank You for the tweak

do i need to leave the desktop.ini as "visible" or can i put them back to hidden?without changing all hidden folders/files back?

Hmm seems ive been doing most of this stuff since the XP days

fullinfusion · Jan 6, 2017

eidairaman1 said:
Hmm seems ive been doing most of this stuff since the XP days

then answer his question :slap:

Ja.KooLit · Jan 7, 2017

What about reverting back?

TheoneandonlyMrK · Jan 7, 2017

Much thanks my recon may take a while though

thesmokingman · Jan 7, 2017

I bench pretty good and for the last couple years stopped bothering with tweaks. They don't seem to affect benches anymore. Some of the tweaks you linked are useful in general though so thanks for that.

W1zzard · Jan 7, 2017

fullinfusion said:
@W1zzard

Why don't you create an app that can allow the user to just click and bench, then click and be back to normal?

Thanks for sharing thou

These tweaks are for my VGA test system setup, not some kind of world record benching.

I just put them here so other people can find and use them, no plans to make any kind of app.

jboydgolfer · Jan 26, 2017

@W1zzard
is there a way to undo these cahnges thru a comand? or is it a back up needed situation?

W1zzard · Jan 27, 2017

jboydgolfer said:
@W1zzard
is there a way to undo these cahnges thru a comand? or is it a back up needed situation?

I think they can all be undone with commands or through gui.

Don't just blindly run the script. Look at it, pick the items you want, leave out the other ones.

jboydgolfer · May 7, 2017

remove cortana doesnt seem to work in latest win 10? unless im doing it wrong ofc. it shows process completed, but cortucci is still there, running ,watching, learning my habits. i hate her

eidairaman1 · May 7, 2017

jboydgolfer said:
remove cortana doesnt seem to work in latest win 10? unless im doing it wrong ofc. it shows process completed, but cortucci is still there, running ,watching, learning my habits. i hate her

Gpedit.msc?

jboydgolfer · May 7, 2017

eidairaman1 said:
Gpedit.msc?

I can try, i was running the batch W1zz had in the OP

also, i seemed to be blocked out of Windows apps folder in c/program data/winapps

. i HATE being locked out of files o my OWN pc, when i am admin.

biffzinker · May 7, 2017

The Regedit change W1zzard is using above works for me. Startisback++ used to be able to prevent Cortana background process from running now it's just "perform shell liposuction."

Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory	48 GB
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080
Storage	2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s)	30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software	Windows 10 64-bit

System Name	Americas cure is the death of Social Justice & Political Correctness
Processor	i7-11700K
Motherboard	Asrock Z590 Extreme wifi 6E
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A
Memory	32GB Corsair RGB fancy boi 5000
Video Card(s)	RTX 3090 Reference
Storage	Samsung 970 Evo 1Tb + Samsung 970 Evo 500Gb
Display(s)	Dell - 27" LED QHD G-SYNC x2
Case	Fractal Design Meshify-C
Audio Device(s)	on board
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus+ Gold 1000 Watt
Mouse	Logitech G502 spectrum
Keyboard	AZIO MGK-1 RGB (Kaith Blue)
Software	Win 10 Professional 64 bit
Benchmark Scores	the MLGeesiest

Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory	48 GB
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080
Storage	2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s)	30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software	Windows 10 64-bit

System Name	RogueOne
Processor	Xeon W9-3495x
Motherboard	ASUS w790E Sage SE
Cooling	SilverStone XE360-4677
Memory	128gb Gskill Zeta R5 DDR5 RDIMMs
Video Card(s)	MSI SUPRIM Liquid 5090
Storage	1x 2TB WD SN850X \| 2x 8TB GAMMIX S70
Display(s)	49" Philips Evnia OLED (49M2C8900)
Case	Thermaltake Core P3 Pro Snow
Audio Device(s)	Moondrop S8's on Schitt Gunnr
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime TX-1600
Mouse	Razer Viper mini signature edition (mercury white)
Keyboard	Wooting 80 HE White, Gateron Jades
VR HMD	Quest 3
Software	Windows 11 Pro Workstation
Benchmark Scores	I dont have time for that.

System Name	Black MC in Tokyo
Processor	Ryzen 5 7600
Motherboard	MSI X670E Gaming Plus Wifi
Cooling	Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory	2 x 16GB Corsair Vengeance @ 6000Mhz
Video Card(s)	XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage	Kingston KC3000 1TB \| WD Black SN750 2TB \|WD Blue 1TB x 2 \| Toshiba P300 2TB \| Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s)	Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case	Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s)	AuraSound AS42 Soundbar \| Plantronics 5220 \| Sony WH-1000XM3 \| Nektar SE61 \| Behringer XR18
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse	Logitech G602
Keyboard	Dell SK3205
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	Rimworld 4K ready!

Windows 10 Tweaks for VGA Benchmark

W1zzard

Administrator

jboydgolfer

W1zzard

Administrator

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

W1zzard

Administrator

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

Steevo

W1zzard

Administrator

biffzinker

jboydgolfer

Derek12

fullinfusion

Vanguard Beta Tester

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

fullinfusion

Vanguard Beta Tester

Ja.KooLit

TheoneandonlyMrK

thesmokingman

W1zzard

Administrator

jboydgolfer

W1zzard

Administrator

jboydgolfer

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

jboydgolfer

biffzinker

System Name	Compy 386
Processor	7800X3D
Motherboard	Asus
Cooling	Air for now.....
Memory	64 GB DDR5 6400Mhz
Video Card(s)	7900XTX 310 Merc
Storage	Samsung 990 2TB, 2 SP 2TB SSDs, 24TB Enterprise drives
Display(s)	55" Samsung 4K HDR
Audio Device(s)	ATI HDMI
Mouse	Logitech MX518
Keyboard	Razer
Software	A lot.
Benchmark Scores	Its fast. Enough.

Processor	Intel Core i7-13700 PL2 150W
Motherboard	MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black
Memory	G Skill F5-6800J3446F48G 96GB kit
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 GAMING OC 16G
Storage	970 EVO NVMe 500GB, WD850N 2TB
Display(s)	Samsung 28” 4K monitor
Case	Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW
Audio Device(s)	EVGA NU Audio, Edifier Bookshelf Speakers R1280
Power Supply	TT TOUGHPOWER GF A3 Gold 1050W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboard	Logitech G G413 Silver
Software	Windows 11 Professional v24H2

System Name	Custom Built
Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard	Asus PRIME A520M-A
Cooling	Stock heatsink/fan
Memory	16GB 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 2400MHz
Video Card(s)	MSI 1050Ti 4GB
Storage	KINGSTON SNVS250G 256GB M.2 + 2 data disks
Display(s)	Dell S2421NX
Case	Aerocool CS103
Audio Device(s)	Realtek
Power Supply	Seasonic M12II-520 EVO
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2S
Keyboard	Logitech
Software	Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

System Name	PCGOD
Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s)	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case	AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s)	Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	Gen2
Processor	Ryzen R9 5950X
Motherboard	Asus ROG Crosshair Viii Hero Wifi
Cooling	Lian Li 360 Galahad
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z RGB 64gb @ 3600 Mhz CL14-13-13-24 1T @ 1.45V
Video Card(s)	Sapphire RX 6900 XT Nitro+
Storage	Seagate 520 1TB + Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB + lots of HDD's
Display(s)	Samsung Odyssey G7
Case	Lian Li PC-O11D XL White
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex SE Platinum 1000W
Mouse	Xenics Titan GX Air Wireless
Keyboard	Kemove Snowfox 61
Software	Main: Gentoo+Arch + Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	Have tried but can't beat the leaders :)

System Name	RyzenGtEvo/ Asus strix scar II
Processor	Amd R5 5900X/ Intel 8750H
Motherboard	Crosshair hero8 impact/Asus
Cooling	360EK extreme rad+ 360$EK slim all push, cpu ek suprim Gpu full cover all EK
Memory	Gskill Trident Z 3900cas18 32Gb in four sticks./16Gb/16GB
Video Card(s)	Asus tuf RX7900XT /Rtx 2060
Storage	Silicon power 2TB nvme/8Tb external/1Tb samsung Evo nvme 2Tb sata ssd/1Tb nvme
Display(s)	Samsung UAE28"850R 4k freesync.dell shiter
Case	Lianli 011 dynamic/strix scar2
Audio Device(s)	Xfi creative 7.1 on board ,Yamaha dts av setup, corsair void pro headset
Power Supply	corsair 1200Hxi/Asus stock
Mouse	Roccat Kova/ Logitech G wireless
Keyboard	Roccat Aimo 120
VR HMD	Oculus rift
Software	Win 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	laptop Timespy 6506

Processor	AMD 5900x
Motherboard	Asus x570 Strix-E
Cooling	Hardware Labs
Memory	G.Skill 4000c17 2x16gb
Video Card(s)	RTX 3090
Storage	Sabrent
Display(s)	Samsung G9
Case	Phanteks 719
Audio Device(s)	Fiio K5 Pro
Power Supply	EVGA 1000 P2
Mouse	Logitech G600
Keyboard	Corsair K95