Windows Install
Backup
- Move all data files from system partition (e.g. C:) to another one (e.g. D:)
- Don’t forget data in C:\Users\xxx\Documents (e.g. game saves)
- Export program settings (e.g. FileZilla server settings) to non-system partition
Preparation
- Find OS product key (if necessary) and keep on another system or write a paper note
- Find all necessary drivers (this is a good time to download the latest drivers)
- Find all desired software setups (this is agood time to download the latest versions)
- Update WSUS files (windows offline update)
- Create installation medium (use Universal USB Installer, it provides an option to use any drive as installation target, so USB sticks that are detected as harddrive can be used too)
- Copy drivers, software and WSUS client somewhere accessible from the fresh install (e.g. the installation medium)
- Disconnect all data drives
Basic Software Setup
- Install mainboard drivers
- Install other drivers (graphics, sound, mouse, keyboard, gamepads)
- Run WSUS updater
- Install software
- Copy “backuped” back (e.g. C:\Users\xxx\Documents)
Custom Setup
- Setup network drives
- Setup auto login (cmd: netplwiz)
- Disable windows sounds
- Disable microphone output on speakers
Customization
- Explorer: Show file name extensions
- Desktop: Auto arrange icons
- System: Disable animations
- System: Change mouse cursor to inverted
- System: Change control panel view to small icons
Appendix
Driver Suggestions
- Mainboard – Chipset
- Mainboard – LAN
- Mainboard – Sound
- Mainboard – Graphics
- Graphics
- Sound
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Gamepad
- Printer
Software Suggestions