Windows - First Boot Config

#Tech

What's This?

When you first boot up your windows system there are some settings you should change to get the most from the operating system.

Tip

Once you configure everything create a custom OS Image so you can easily flash your drive and retain all the below settings on first boot

Windows

Windows 10 Installation Media

Windows installations are really simple and painless. You can download the Windows 10 installation media. Following the on screen prompts you can flash and prep a USB to install Windows to your PC.

Windows Product Keys

Modern Versions

On windows 10 or 11 your product key will be automatically synced if you connected a Microsoft account.

Older Versions

On windows 8.1 or older you'll need a product key to activate your license. Open up the console and run the following command line and it will provide the product key so you can note it down.

Windows
Version		 Command
ME, XP, Vista,
7, and 8/8.1		 wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
Server wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
98 C:\>find /i "ProductKey" C:\windows\system.dat
95 Use 111–1111111 or 000–0000007 as a product ket

Install Programs

This is my personal list of programs I install on my windows devices.

Package Manager

I'm currently exploring the idea of setting up a custom package manger like Ketarin or Choclatey for windows.

Control Panel

You'll want to access the Control Panel and make the following changes to your settings:

Apps

Under Apps/Default Apps:

  1. Email - Google Chrome
  2. Video Player - VLC
  3. Web Browser - Google Chrome

Display

Under System/Display you'll want to set up your monitors to their correct orientation.

Focus Assist

Under System/Focus Assist:

  1. If desired configure the automatic focus assist times.
  2. Change when duplicating display to on for prioty only
  3. Change when playing a game to on for priorty only
  4. Change when full screen to on for priority only

Sound

Under System/Sound:

  1. Click on "Sound Control Panel" then set your speakers/headphones to the default
  2. Click on manage sound devices
    1. You'll want to disable any extra or unused devices. (IE: Monitor speakers)
    2. You'll do this for both Output and Input sections

Wallpapers

Under Personalization/Background:

  1. Change Background to Slideshow
  2. Choose a folder where you'll store your background images
  3. Set change picture to 1 minute
  4. Turn shuffle on
  5. Change choose a fit to Fill

More Coming Soon!

Creating a Custom Disk Image

In my oppion it's best practice to make a custom image of your disk after configuring your system. This way the next time you want to reformat, you can just flash the system with your disk image to restore to a brand new state with your customization in tact.

There are plenty of freeware programs that can do this, such as:

Tools

Below are some helpful tools that you might need during the OS installation process: