Log from my latest Windows install from scratch

I reinstalled Windows from scratch (manually) on my machine and took notes on the required steps.

Context: I current work with web development - mostly node.js - and use the same machine for personal use (games).

Before cleanup

• Move files to a separate partition or storage which won't be erased. Example:
  • My repositories (Documents) folder
  • Desktop folder
  • Steam library
    • Steam has a nice UI where you can set addicional Libraries and transfer games between them!
  • I didn't backup any Docker volumes, but that is possible to do;
  • Move Blizzard games folders (they are self contained)
  • And maybe something else I forgot to take note...
• If you only have one storage device, you can partition it by creating a Linux USB, then running GParted; Maybe Windows's Disk Manager suffices, but it has limitations.
• Another option is uploading to an online service like Amazon S3;
• Create USB media from the provided creation tool at Windows website;
• Boot from USB (depends on your computer);

Windows Install

Boot the Windows USB. Format the partition which contains your current Windows install. Select it for the next install.

I had issues, see appendix.

After install

• First task: Install updates
  • Updates can take a while and are a requisite to running the debloater script;
  • After each restart, force checking again until no updates show up;
  • Install other items while the updates install;
• Remove bloatware from start menu;
• Install the latest version of PowerShell;
• Disable Windows Defender
  • Windows Defender eats a significant amount of CPU and I/O;
  • Currently to do this you need an external program - Defender Control;
  • Before running Defender Control, you must disable " tamper protection" and add its folder to the exclusions list on Windows Security;
• Download your browser or just use Edge.

• Install Git

  • The Git install prompts dozens of questions. The following ones are important points which I recommend changing from the defaults:
    • Don't use MinTTY, use the default Windows terminals;
    • Commit as-is (don't convert CR/LF). Handle line endings on your editors;
    • Use external OpenSSH client (now Windows comes with one);
  • Additional setup
  • You can add the git /bin folder to PATH. With that, you can invoke Git Bash (the MINGW terminal) from any console with sh; You usually don't need Git Bash (and should avoid using it as it is an additional layer), but it is useful to run Unix commands or Bash scripts;

• Run Sophia Script;

  • The Readme is a bit convoluted; You can download the Windows 11 + Powershell 7 version;'
  • The script will fail if you dont have the last Windows version;
  • Check the "How To Use Section" (dont use wrapper or GUI, just run the main script)
  • After running the elevation command, run the script on terminal ./Sophia.ps1
  • Make sure your terminal is running PowerShell 7. You can select it on the Windows Terminal new tab;

• Install WSL

  • wsl --install
  • This also installs Ubuntu 20.
  • In case you want another distro, browse it on the Store;
  • If you install a different distro, make sure to cleanup the default Ubuntu 20
    • wsl --unregister Ubuntu (deletes the distribution)
    • wsl --list
    • wsl -s Ubuntu-22 (set the new default distribution)
  • Make sure you don't have the Docker distribution set as default, as that can cause issues;
  • To access the default distro you can either:
    • Invoke bash on any Windows console (right-click Start Icon -> Terminal);
    • Open a new tab on Windows Terminal with the desired distro;
    • Search the distro name on the Start Menu
  • Install apps on WSL. Ex: nodejs, git etc.
  • While Windows already has Linux folders on the Explorer, I also like to install a file manager like Thunar (it is quite a big download, because it installs a lot of other things along). A Linux file manager is quite handy to navigate WSL folders;

• Add SSH keys to both Windows and WSL

  • On Windows, put the SSH key on <user>/.ssh; Name the default key id_rsa.
  • Check this article on setting up a SSH key on the Windows environment. You don't need to follow the last session ("link to git") anymore;
  • Same as usual on Linux
    • ~/.ssh folder
    • on Linux we also need chmod 600 <file>

• Ativate Windows if that's the case;

• UI Tweaks

  • Set displays to 144Hz if they are at 60Hz
  • Set dark mode
  • Add extra buttons to start menu lower bar
    • Settings > Personalization > Start > Folders
  • Search "PrintScreen" on Settings, then set to open Screen Capture when pressing this key;
  • At Recycle Bin properties, reduce Recycle Bin size on all drives. Disable delete confirmation dialog;
  • (optional) You can disable the new context menus with WinAeroTweaker;
  • (optional) You can fix the lackluster W11 Taskbar with StartAllBack

• Install Docker (desktop). Use WSL2 engine.

• Drivers

  • Download drivers from OEM website, if notebook;
  • Download NVIDIA ou AMD driver;
  • Get Intel update tool (optional). Uninstall after running it.

• System apps

  • OEM apps (ex: laptop power control)
  • (optional) Quick CPU: for laptops - finer control on CPU power for quiet laptop. Keep it off as it uses CPU :/
  • (optional) Libre Hardware Monitor: Logs CPU and GPU temp on a chart
  • Equalizer APO (optional)
  • Powertoys (optional). After installing it you should disable most useless tweaks.

• Fonts

  • Install your coding fonts. On my case, JetBrains mono.

• Games

  • Steam
    • Setup back the Library folder
  • Things from the games you play

• Entertainment

  • Spotify
  • Stremio
  • OBS
    • Set up twitch

• Install productivity apps

  • Notion
  • VS Code
  • Node.js, Java, Android Studio, etc.
  • Insomnia
  • Company proxy if applicable
  • MS Office
  • Screen2Gif
  • DBeaver
  • Paint.net - basic image editing

Appendix: My Windows Install, and its issues

• On Windows install, select the option for custom partitions;
• Format and select the current Windows drive
• My main drive had a bit messed up partitions due to previous Linux installs;
  • First install failed with error;
  • Next install complained about my partitions;
  • I ended up:
    • Boot into repair mode from the Windows install to open the terminal (SHIFT+F10 probably also works);
    • diskpart list disk select disk <number> clean convert gpt (MBR won't work on UEFI boots)
      • Back on Windows install, create the partition on the partition UI, allocating full space;
      • The install says that it will automatically create an extra system partition. OK.

The rest of the install proceeded OK. Say no to all Microsofts bullshit.

Curious notice
I've also recently installed Windows on a new notebook from a friend. His Windows install was a bit different and didn't prompt for a Microsoft account, it also didn't install bloatware (Netflix/etc). I wonder if it skips the bloat if you enter an activation key.