There are always some standard steps I take after a Microsoft Windows 7 installation for a development machine.
Application | Actions to get to the setting | Setting to change |
CMD | powercfg -h off | Disable hibernation |
Gpedit.msc |
Administrative Templates > System > System Restore After changing the setting |
Enable "Turn off System Restore"
Note Note |
Gpedit.msc | Administrative Templates > System | Disable [Display Shutdown Event Tracker] |
Gpedit.msc | Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update | Enable [No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates Installations] |
Gpedit.msc | Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update | Disable [Windows Update Power Management to automatically wake up the system to install scheduled updates] |
Control Panel | Display > Screen Saver | Set Screen saver to (None) |
Control Panel | System> Advanced system settings > Computer Name > Change… | Change computer name |
Control Panel | System > Change Product key | Activate Windows |
Control Panel | All Control Panel Items > Windows Update > Change settings | Check [Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates] |
Control Panel | All Control Panel Items > Windows Update Click [Find out more] Check [I agree to the Terms of Use for Microsoft Update] Click [Install] |
Enable Microsoft Update (this is different from Windows Update, it will also update all other Microsoft Products) |
Control Panel | Set the view of the Control Panel to "Small Icons" | View by: Small icons |
Control Panel | Date and Time > Change time zone… > | (UTC+01:00) Amsterdam…. |
Control Panel | Date and Time > Internet Time > Change settings… | Update time with time.microsoft.com |
Control Panel | Region and Language > Formats | Set format to "Dutch" |
Control Panel | Region and Language > Formats | Set short time to: HH:mm |
Control Panel | Region and Language > Formats | Set long time to: HH:mm:ss |
Control Panel | Region and Language > Keyboards and Languages > Change keyboards… | Remove Dutch keyboard |
Control Panel | Region and Language > Keyboards and Languages > Change keyboards… > Language Bar | Hidden |
Control Panel | Display > Adjust resolution | Set screen resolution |
Control Panel | Power Options | Set Power Options to "High performance" |
Control Panel | Power Options > Require a password on wakeup > Don’t require a password | |
Control Panel | System > Advanced system settings > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Programs | Adjust for best performance of: Programs |
Control Panel | User Accounts > Change User Account Control settings | Change User Account Control settings to "Never notify" |
Control Panel | Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings > Press alt > Tools > Advanced > Advanced Settings… | Move LAN connection to top of the list. |
Control Panel | User Accounts > Manage your credentials > Add a Windows credential | For all sites / network addresses, create windows credentials |
Control Panel | First enable Themes service: -Services.msc > Themes > Properties > Startup type: Automatic – Reboot – Personalization > Aero theme |
Enable Aero
For more information see: Note The mstsc.exe on Windows 8 will allow you to connect to a Windows 2008R2 box with Aero. |
Control Panel | System > Advanced System Settings > Remote | "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure)" > Select Users… |
Control Panel | System > Advanced System Settings > Remote | Disable Remote Assistance connections to this computer |
Control Panel | Display > Asjust ClearType Text | Turn on Clear Type |
ServerManager.msc | Disable Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration | Configure IE ESC
In Windows Server 2012 Server Manager > Local Server |
ServerManager.msc | Check "Do not show me this console at logon" | |
ServerManager.msc | Add Application Server Role | |
ServerManager.msc | Add IIS Server Role | |
ServerManager.msc | Add Desktop Experience feature | |
ServerManager.msc |
Add Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) |
|
Services.msc | Windows Audio > Startup Type | Automatic |
secpol.msc | [Local Security Policy] Account Policy > Password Policy |
Set "Maximum Password Age" to 0 (Disables password expiration) |
compmgmt.msc | [Computer Management]
Use Administrator account Local Users and Groups > User > Right Click Administrator > Set Password… Local Users and Groups > User > Right Click Administrator > Properties > Uncheck "Account is disabled" and Check "Password never expires" Reboot and Log in as Administrator Delete all other accounts |
|
Start Menu | Start > Computer > Right click > Show on desktop | Show "Computer" shortcut on desktop |
Start Menu | Right click Start > Properties > Start Menu | Uncheck "Store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu" |
Start Menu | Right click Start > Properties > Start Menu > Customize… | System administrative tools > Check "Display on the All Programs Menu and the Start menu" |
Start Menu | Right click Start > Properties > Start Menu > Customize… > | Uncheck "Devices and Printers" |
Start Menu | Right click Start > Properties > Start Menu > Customize… > Network Connections | Check "Display as Connect to menu" |
Start Menu | Pin favorite programs | |
Taskbar | Unpin [Windows Media Player] and pin favorite programs | |
Taskbar | Start > Properties > Taskbar > Notification Area > Customize… > | Enable "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" |
Recycle bin | Right click the recycle bin on the desktop > Properties | Check "Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted." |
Initial Configuration Tasks | Initial Configuration Tasks | Check "Do not show this window at logon" |
IIS (Installation) |
Server Manager > Roles > Add Roles > Application Server | – .NET Framework 3.5.1 – Web Server (IIS) Support – WebDAV Publishing – IIS 6 Management Compatibility |
Internet Explorer | Disable Favorites bar | |
Internet Explorer | Use Google as default search provider and use search suggestions from this search provider | |
Internet Explorer | "Make Google my only home page" | |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > General | Delete browsing history on exit |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > General > Tabs > Settings | Open first home page when new tab is opened |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > General > Tabs > Settings | Open only the first home page when Internet Explorer starts |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > Browsing history > Settings | Set "Days to keep pages in history" to 0 |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings | Disable "Automatically detect settings" |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings > Advanced > | Address: 127.0.0.1 Port: 80
Do not use proxy server for addresses beginning with: *.* |
Internet Explorer | Tools > Options > Connections | Enable "Bypass proxy server for local addresses" |
Office Excel | File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options | Uncheck all on tab "AutoCorrect", uncheck only "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks" on tab "AutoFormat as You Type" |
Office Outlook | File > Options > Calendar | Show week numbers in the month view and in the Date Navigator |
Office Outlook | File > Options > Calendar | Disable "Default reminders" |
Office Outlook | File > Options > Mail > Editor Options… | Disable all options on "AutoCorrect" tab |
Office Outlook | File > Options > Mail > Editor Options… | Disable all options on "AutoFormat" tab |
Office Outlook | File > Options > Mail > Reading Pane… | Uncheck "Mark item as read when selection changes" |
SQL Server (Installation) | Features | All except: – SQL Server Replication – Analysis Services -SQL Server Books Online Options Set Startup Type to Automatic for: – Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication) FILESTREAM – Install the native mode default configuration |
Visual Studio (Installation) | Features | Check: – Visual C# – Visual Web Developer – Graphics Library – Microsoft Office Developer Tools (x64) – Dotfuscator – Microsoft SharePoint Developer Tools |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Environment > AutoRecover | Uncheck "Save AutoRecover information every:" |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Environment > Startup | Show empty environment |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Source Control > Environment | Get everything when a solution or project is opened |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Source Control > Environment | Check in everything when closing a solution or project |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Source Control > Visual Studio Team Foundation | Check "Get latest version of item on check out" |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Text Editor > All Languages | Show line numbers for all languages |
Visual Studio | Tools > Options > Source Control > Visual Studio Team Foundation Server | Check "Get latest version of item on check out" |
Windows Explorer | Organize > Folder and search options > General | Check "Show all folders" |
Windows Explorer | Organize > Folder and search options > General | Check "Automatically expand to current folder" |
Windows Explorer | Organize > Folder and search options > View | Uncheck "Display file size information in folder tips" |
Windows Explorer | Organize > Folder and search options > View | Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" |
Windows Explorer | Rename disks (OS and Data) | If you have 2 disks in you’re machine, rename the disks to "OS" and "Data" |
Disk Cleanup | Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Task Scheduler > Create Basic Task… | Program to start: Cleanmgr.exe
Schedule for every day at 12:00 |
Disk Defragmenter | Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Task Scheduler > Create Basic Task… |
Program to start: C:\WINDOWS\system32\defrag.exe c: -f For each Disk schedule for every day at 12:15 |
Notepad++ |
Settings > Preferences… > MISC. > Remember current session for next launch |
Uncheck |
iTunes | Sync with this iPhone over WiFi | Check |
iTunes | Manually manage music and … | Check |
Install driversInstall programs (latest version)
* Pin my favorite programs to the start menu |