2. Windows
Download Windows 11 / LTSC and make a bootable usb using the file. Pick one or the other, I use Windows 11 LTSC 2024 LTSC removes consumer bloat but more importantly Xbox Game Bar and Microsoft Store, if you need either, you can reinstall them back after.
Download rufus to create bootable usb, ensure its using GPT/UEFI
Download wifi/LAN drivers in advance and have them extracted on a USB
Either on your motherboard's website if you intend to use them or generic ones (the chip, for example Intel AX210) if using a add-on device (such as a USB or PCIE wifi card)
Once ready, restart into BIOS and ensure your have secure boot + TPM enabled. If you own a relatively new system Ryzen 3000 / Intel 12th gen and above, they are most likely both enabled already by motherboard manufacturer.
From here, you can use the boot menu of the BIOS to force boot into your installation USB.
Go through the install as normal
Ignore asking about key
For LTSC, select IoT LTSC without Subscription
For Standard, select Windows 11 Pro non-enterprise
When choosing what drive to install Windows on, you may want to use the custom button to partition your drive into 'multiple drive' for reasons of organization, ease of reinstall, etc. I recommend your Windows install be at least 500GB though, LTSC is 66GB for reference.
Now we are in Windows first time setup after you have done the install.
If you have LTSC, just select 'I don't have internet'. The reason for this is that I recommened not using a Microsoft account for Windows due to the complications it can have (like permanently locking you out)
If not, press Shift and F10 at the same time and use the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO to make it available to you.
The OOBE command doesn't work? Use this instead start ms-cxh:localonly
Do the rest as you wish
Actually in Windows now
Install your wifi/lan drivers and connect to internet
Activate windows:
Open powershell as administrator, input this command:
irm https://get.activated.win | iex
Make sure your PC's clock is properly set: Settings > Time and Language > Date & Time > Sync Now
Do your Windows updates
Run sfc /scannow in a administrator command prompt to check for corruption
Click this link and run it: Link
Basics: .Net, Java, Notepad++, 7-zip, LibreOffice, WinRAR, VCRedist 2015+
Browsers: Google Chrome and Firefox
Gaming: Discord, Steam, Epic Games Launcher
Tweaks:
Open powershell as administrator, input this command: irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex
Tweaks tab: Select Standard and then tweak to the image below (right click and open in new tab for bigger size) <- Note that the standard does reverse somethings to old windows 7 apps (like the calculator)
Click on Run OO Shutup 10
At the top, click on Actions and Apply only Recommended Settings, Yes to the system restore point prompt, then quit out of it, no need to restart yet.
You can change your DNS here if you wish to (plain cloudflare usually is best)
Your preference for anything else
Remember to click on Run Tweaks at the bottom, it will notify you when done and auto quit.
Optionally use the Configs tab to setup autologin, just enter your password and leave the domain empty.
Type "keyboard" into start menu
Change: (basically max first to sliders to the right)
Repeat delay: Short
Repeat rate: Fast
Apply
Go to Windows Security
I'd recommend you exclude game folders for faster loading times.
Device Security > Core Isolation
Disable Memory integrity.
Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics > "Change Default graphics settings"
Turn on all 3:
Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling
Variable Refresh Rate
Optimized for Windowed Games
Open powershell as administrator
Run this command: powercfg /h off
Restart
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