Windows - First Steps

Here’s what I do when I’ve just installed windows on my or a friends computer.

1. Go to Microsoft Store and make sure things in there is updated.

2. Run Chris Titus Tech’s Windows Utility (Github link).
   Here I will:

• Set the computer to delay feature updates for Windows. Security updates will still be installed, but the updates that bring new features that isn’t needed will be delayed.
• Activate “Set Up Autologin” for some friends. (Config tab).
• Disable Search Box Web Suggestions.
• Go to the Tweaks tab, press Standard, and go through what it does. In this tool you can point with your mouse on differing things and it will give you more information about what that thing does.
• Change DNS in a lot of cases, but not on my own PCs as I’m running Pi.Hole on my network.
• Run OO Shutup 10, to prevent Windows from spying.
• Create Winutil shortcut and Run tweaks. Winutil can also be used to install software.

3. Install a browser through the command prompt (CMD) using Winget. To install firefox winget install Mozilla.Firefox To install brave winget install Brave.Brave Then I will also go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps in Windows and pick the installed browser as default browser.

4. Install graphics driver (NVIDIA or AMD) Download and install the needed graphics, I have most experience with Nvidia and there I’ll simply install Geforce Experience, login and install the driver from there.

5. Reboot We have made a bunch of changes, it’s time to reboot.

6. Make sure Windows has finished updating, if not then wait for it to finish.

7. Head to Ninite and get it to install what is needed. Software I usually install at this stage:

• 7-Zip - Objectively better that Winrar, it’s free and has no popups.
• VLC - Can play any video, sound file.
• Spotify.
• Everything - Can find any file on your computer.
• Java 17 (What you need depends on what you use Java for).
• ShareX - Awesome tool for screenshots and more.

8. I think that was all. Now there’s of course finishing touches like logging in to different things, importing browser bookmarks, and other usual finishing touches.