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Windows 11 Setup Checklist.md

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Windows 11 Setup Checklist

Productivity and Accessibility

  • Install Greenshot (consider using latest unstable. Latest stable is from 2017!)

    • Set Regional keyboard shortcut to Ctrl-Shift-Alt-PrintScreen so builtin print screen still works
    • Create folder Screenshots in Desktop and set output folder to this to keep screenshots together

  • Use PowerToys FancyZones instead of Windows 11 Snap Layouts

    Disable Windows 11 Snap suggestions and layouts

    • Go to Windows Settings System Multitasking

      ms-settings:multitasking

    • Untick the unneeded checkboxes. Don't disable Snap itself, as without it you cannot drag the titlebar of a maximized window! image

    Install PowerToys and setup FancyZones

    • Install PowerToys

    • Setup FancyZones options

      (Expand for images)

      image image image

    • Either create new custom Canvas type layouts or use mine. The JSON file should be located in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\PowerToys\FancyZones\

  • Setup Console lock display off timeout
    When the console (computer) is locked, this is the time before the display turns off. The setting is hidden by default, so we first need to enabled it before we can set it.

    Enable the setting in registry editor

    • Open Registry Editor

    • Go to

      Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8ec4b3a5-6868-48c2-be75-4f3044be88a7

    • Change Attributes DWORD value from 1 to 2

    • Close Registry Editor

    Set the value in the Power Plan
    • Search for "Power Plan" and go to "Edit Plan Settings"
    • Click "Change advanced power settings"
    • Navigate to Display, Console lock display off timeout. This setting was hidden before the registry tweak above.
    • Set the value in minutes
      image

  • Setup mouse cursor size and style
    Select the Inverted style and size 2 for better contrast and easy cursor finding

  • Disable web results in Windows Start menu search

    Set up DisableSearchBoxSuggestions in Registry Database

    • Open Registry Editor

    • Go to

      Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

    • Create a new key (folder) inside the Windows key

    • In Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer create a new DWORD value names DisableSearchBoxSuggestions

    • Doubleclick the new value and set the value to 1

    • Close Registry Editor

  • Disable Windows sounds (!!!) - and also disable sound devices that you don't use, such as your displays

    Turn off Windows sounds

    • Go to Settings, Sound

      ms-settings:sound

    • Go to More sound settings

    • Go to the tab Sounds

    • Set sound scheme No Sounds
      image

    Disable unused sound devices (like your monitor!)

    • Go to Settings, Sound

      ms-settings:sound

    • Under Advanced go to All sound devices

    • For each unneeded device, click it and for Audio, click Don't allow
      image

  • Disable touchpad gestures like three-finger-down shows desktop

    Edit touchpad gestures

    • Go to Settings, Bluetooth & Devices, Touchpad

      ms-settings:devices-touchpad

    • Go to Advanced gestures

    • Remove any unneeded gestures

  • Disable hotkeys for changing input language
    Unless you actually use multiple input languages, the default setup for a Danish-setup Windows (with US display language) is to have both Danish and US English input languages. When you accidentally hit Left Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift and suddenly the keyboard doesn't type what is written on the key caps.

    Disable hot keys
    • Search for "Advanced keyboard settings" or go to Settings, Time & Language, Typing, Advanced keyboard settings
    • Tap Input language hot keys
    • Select Between input languages in the list and hit Change Key Sequence button
    • For both Switch Input Language and Switch Keyboard Layout, select Not Assigned and hit OK image

Security

  • Set up BitLocker or other disk encryption if desired

Other 'needed' apps

  • Install Spotify from Store

Final points

  • Set up system restore point when done with the above, so you have a clean spot for future restoring needs












Autogenerated by ChatGPT :-)

System Settings

  • Change display scaling if necessary
    Adjust the size of text, apps, and other items on your screen by going to Settings > System > Display and modifying the scaling percentage.

  • Customize desktop background and theme
    Personalize your desktop by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting "Personalize," and choosing your preferred background image and theme settings.

  • Adjust power settings (e.g., sleep mode, screen timeout)
    Customize power options to suit your usage patterns and preferences by navigating to Settings > System > Power & sleep.

  • Configure system updates preferences
    Manage how Windows updates are installed and scheduled by going to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

  • Set up system restore points
    Create restore points to revert your system to a previous state if needed by searching for "Create a restore point" in the Start menu and following the prompts.

  • Customize taskbar and Start menu layout
    Right-click on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" to customize the taskbar's behavior and appearance. For the Start menu, right-click on the Start button and choose "Settings" to personalize its layout.

  • Enable or disable animations and visual effects
    Adjust visual effects and animations to improve performance or enhance visual appeal by searching for "Performance Options" in the Start menu and modifying settings under the Visual Effects tab.

  • Configure default apps for file types and protocols
    Set your preferred applications for opening specific file types and handling different protocols by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Security and Privacy

  • Enable Windows Defender antivirus and firewall
    Ensure your system is protected against malware and other threats by activating Windows Defender antivirus and firewall through Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

  • Configure Windows Security settings
    Review and adjust Windows Security settings to customize antivirus, firewall, and other security features according to your needs.

  • Review and adjust privacy settings (e.g., telemetry, app permissions)
    Navigate to Settings > Privacy to review and adjust privacy settings related to app permissions, diagnostic data, and other privacy concerns.

  • Set up BitLocker or other disk encryption if desired
    Encrypt your disk drives to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by searching for "BitLocker" in the Start menu and following the instructions to set it up.

  • Enable Secure Boot if supported by hardware
    Secure Boot helps prevent unauthorized operating systems and bootloaders from loading during the startup process. Check your system's BIOS or UEFI firmware settings to enable Secure Boot if supported.

Productivity and Accessibility

  • Install necessary productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, web browsers)
    Install essential productivity software to fulfill your work and personal needs. Visit the official websites of respective software or use Microsoft Store to download and install apps.

  • Customize keyboard shortcuts and input settings
    Tailor keyboard shortcuts and input settings to improve efficiency and accessibility. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Typing and explore options for keyboard, touch keyboard, and other input devices.

  • Set up virtual desktops if needed
    Utilize virtual desktops to organize and manage multiple tasks or projects efficiently. Press Win + Tab to open Task View, then click "New desktop" to create additional desktops.

  • Configure accessibility options (e.g., magnifier, narrator)
    Enhance accessibility by adjusting settings such as magnifier, narrator, and high contrast mode. Explore accessibility options in Settings > Accessibility.

Additional Tweaks

  • Disable unnecessary startup programs
    Improve system startup time and performance by disabling unnecessary programs from launching at startup. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), navigate to the Startup tab, and disable unwanted programs.

  • Adjust notification settings
    Customize notification behavior and manage app notifications by going to Settings > System > Notifications & actions.

  • Customize file explorer options (e.g., show file extensions, change default view)
    Personalize File Explorer settings to suit your preferences and workflow. Open File Explorer, go to View tab, and click on Options to access Folder Options and customize settings.

  • Install and configure third-party software (e.g., media players, image editors)
    Install additional software based on your specific needs and preferences. Visit official websites or trusted sources to download and install desired applications.

  • Optimize disk and system performance (e.g., disk cleanup, defragmentation)
    Maintain system performance by periodically performing disk cleanup, defragmentation, and other optimization tasks. Search for "Disk Cleanup" and "Defragment and Optimize Drives" in the Start menu to access these utilities.

  • Backup important files and folders
    Protect your data against loss or corruption by creating regular backups. Use built-in Windows Backup and Restore feature or third-party backup solutions to schedule backups of important files and folders.

  • Set up system-wide search indexing preferences
    Customize search indexing options to include or exclude specific locations and file types from search results. Go to Settings > Search > Searching Windows and customize indexing settings as needed.

Troubleshooting and Support

  • Create recovery media or USB drive
    Prepare recovery media or USB drive to troubleshoot and repair your system in case of emergencies. Search for "Create a recovery drive" in the Start menu and follow the instructions to create recovery media.

  • Familiarize yourself with Windows 11 troubleshooting tools
    Learn about built-in troubleshooting tools and resources available in Windows 11 to diagnose and resolve common issues. Explore settings, control panel, and online support resources for troubleshooting guidance.

  • Join relevant online communities or forums for support
    Connect with other Windows users and experts in online communities or forums to seek help, share experiences, and find solutions to Windows-related problems.

  • Check for driver updates and compatibility issues with hardware
    Ensure your hardware components are compatible with Windows 11 and update device drivers to the latest versions for optimal performance and stability. Visit manufacturer websites or use Windows Update to check for driver updates.

Additional Resources

Additional tweaks

  • Disable lock screen console timeout
    Prevent the lock screen from timing out and dimming by modifying the console lock display off timeout setting in the registry. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7 and change the Attributes value to 2.

  • Customize Windows Explorer Quick Access
    Customize the Quick Access section in Windows Explorer to show frequently accessed folders or remove unwanted items. Open File Explorer, go to View tab, click on Options, and customize Quick Access settings under General tab.

  • Enable God Mode
    Create a folder with the following name to access a centralized location for various system settings and options: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. This folder provides access to a wide range of settings and controls.

  • Disable Cortana or customize its behavior
    Disable Cortana if you don't use it or customize its behavior and permissions by going to Settings > Cortana & Search and adjusting settings as needed.

  • Customize Taskbar button grouping
    Adjust Taskbar button grouping settings to combine or separate icons based on your preferences. Right-click on the Taskbar, go to Taskbar settings, and modify settings under Combine taskbar buttons.

Registry Tweaks

  • Disable Windows 11 animations
    Improve system performance and responsiveness by disabling animations. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects and set the DWORD value for VisualFXSetting to 2.

  • Disable automatic restart after Windows updates
    Prevent Windows from automatically restarting after installing updates. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU and create a new DWORD value named NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers, setting its value data to 1.

  • Disable Windows Error Reporting
    Disable the Windows Error Reporting service to prevent Windows from sending error reports to Microsoft. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting and create a new DWORD value named Disabled, setting its value data to 1.

  • Enable verbose status messages during startup
    Display detailed information about the startup process to diagnose boot issues. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System and create a new DWORD value named VerboseStatus, setting its value data to 1.

  • Disable automatic driver updates
    Prevent Windows from automatically installing driver updates through Windows Update. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching and set the DWORD value for SearchOrderConfig to 0.

  • Disable automatic maintenance tasks
    Disable automatic maintenance tasks to prevent background processes from interfering with system performance. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\Maintenance and set the DWORD value for MaintenanceDisabled to 1.