Windows 10

Install

Partitioning

Sharing a disk with Windows and another operating system used to be a simple process.

It now automatically modifies bootloaders and the boot order. I've found it simpler to give it it's own HDD, and let it manage it on it's own.

Troubleshooting

reinstall mbr

see https://www.4winkey.com/windows-10/how-to-repair-windows-10-uefi-efi-bootloader.html

Could not boot into next phase of Installation (Shared EFI)

There are a couple of different potential options here. Firstly: Windows was not programmed for the possibility of any more than one (windows) EFI partition. This message will occur if you have any more than a single efi partition on your hard drive.

## Unplug all unneeded hard drives

## If still not fixed, try fixing the disc's boot record:
##

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /rebuildbcd
bootrec /fixboot

Windows Won't boot, reset

Reboot enough that you get the startup-options menu (3x failed boots). Troubleshoot/Advanced/Command Prompt.

chkdsk c: /r /x

# if only scans, or above does not work
sfc /scannow

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/windows-10-now-wont-boot-wont-recover-wont-reset/7ceafab1-f5fe-420a-8b73-aff6a3cd79bb

Install failed: Windows could not update the computers boot configuration. Installation cannot proceed

tries:
  1: re-enable secureboot  # fail

  2: from installmedia:  # fail
    - Advanced Options:
      - Command Prompt:
        bootrec /fixmbr
        bootrec /fixboot  # Access is denied
    # I was able to finish by rebooting with defalt UEFI options (from the windows install media)
    # successive auto boots failed by default, but not if choose the disk from BIOS boot menu

Setup

UAC

# UAC
Start > UAC:
   - never notify:
     - disable UAC to prevent notifications, and enable
     - chocolatey to install packages

# Settings can't be opened using the Built-in Administrator account
# (untested)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\EnableLUA == 1

Disable HybridBoot

Hybridboot is that annoying feature that caches your current windows session, and reloads it rather than going through a full init process. Get it out of here.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power
HiberbootEnabled DWORD

0 = Turn off Fast Startup
1 = Turn on Fast Startup

Package Management

chocolatey		much more stable in windows 10. very good!
oneget		microsoft's built-in package manager. Still early days.

Drivers

gigabyte UD5H
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5360#dl		all motherboard drivers

Taskbar

- Rclick StartMenu > Search > Hidden

- Rclick StartMenu > Show TaskView Button (uncheck)

- Rclick StartMenu > Properties:
    - Use Small Tasbar Buttons
    - Show taskbar on all displays (uncheck)

Disable LockScreen (Win + L)

;disable_lock-workstation.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"DisableLockWorkstation"=dword:00000001

Disable Quick Access

explorer.exe:
  (ribbon) view > options:
    (dropdown) Open File Explorer to: This PC

Allow Symlnks

Allow your user to create symbolic links on your machine without using an administrator-elevated command prompt.

start > gpedit:
   - Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment:
       - Create Symbolic Links:
           - Add User or Group:
               - Enter the object names to select:   <your username>
- logout/login

System clock in UTC

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation" /v RealTimeIsUniversal /d 1 /t REG_QWORD /f

Disable Updates

You probably don't want to do this, since it pretty seriously cripples your installation. But if you need to, (ex: a testing VM) do this:

run:  services
    windows update:
        properties:
            startup type: disabled

Privacy

NOTE:

checkout https://privacy.sexy/ next install

Essentially, turn everything off. Some notables:

Settings > Privacy:
  General:
    - turn off all settings
  Speech:
    - off
  Diagnostics & feedback:
    - off
    - also, delete all diagnostic data
  Activity history:
    - all sliders off
    - clear history activity
  Other Devices:
    - all sliders off
  Background Apps:
    - off
  App diagnostics:
    - App diagnostic info access for this device: Change
      - off
    - all sliders off

Programs

Cygwin

Cygwin is installed with chocolatey, but in order for it to be useful, you'll need to run the setup script. Also, see cygwin.

KDE Resizer

Resize Windows with the windows Key+Mouse.
http://corz.org/windows/software/accessories/KDE-resizing-moving-for-Windows.php

Rclick > Change Hotkey > Use Left Windows Key

Flawless Widescreen

Patch games so that they run with 3x monitors.
http://www.flawlesswidescreen.org/#Download

CursorLock

Some games allow the cursor to extend from the selected monitor onto the next. This fixes that problem.

http://www.snakebytestudios.com/projects/apps/cursor-lock/

x360ce

Tiny portable program that allows you to use the Xbox 360 drivers with other controllers (logitech, ps3, ...).

directx june 2010		http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109
vcredist (install both x86 and x64)		http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=40784
x360ce (32bit and 64bit versions)		http://www.x360ce.com/

QtTabBar

Adds tabs to windows-explorer. middle-click a folder to open in new tab.

See qttabbar .

TidyTabs

Allows all programs to be tabbed.

https://www.nurgo-software.com/products/tidytabs

keyrate

Increase repeat rate beyond max in windows (and from cli)

• https://github.com/EricTetz/keyrate/releases
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/171326/how-can-i-increase-the-key-repeat-rate-beyond-the-oss-limit

keyrate.exe 200 10  # wait 200ms, repeat every 10ms

New Features

Virtual Desktops

Virtual Desktops are finally introduced in windows.

win + d ## Create new virtual desktop
win + d + left/right ## switch desktops

Hardware Issues

Wintermute

The realtek ACL898 audio requires you to download/install drivers.