• Download the Windows Media Creation Tool
• Set the Language to English (United Kingdom)
• Install it onto an empty USB stick that is at least 8GB

Build or prepare the computer for installing Windows:

• Test booting the newly built computer before putting it in its case, and make sure all the devices show up in the BIOS and SATA is set to AHCI mode
• Disconnect all drives other than the one Windows is being installed onto
• (Note: On Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H use the USB port next to Ethernet for the installation USB drive)

• Ensure computer is not connected to the internet to allow creation of a local account
• Boot into the BIOS and select the USB Stick to boot from
• Install Windows
• Language to install > English (United Kingdom)
• Time & currency format > English (Australia)
• Keyboard or input method > US
• If the computer has previously been activated with windows select "I don't have a product key", otherwise enter your product key
• Select Windows 10 Pro x64
• Custom (Install Windows Only)
• Select the only drive in the computer
• Install
• Let Windows reboot
• Check correct region and US keyboard selected
• Select I don't have Internet
• Continue with limited setup
• Create local account with desired username (This sets the user home directory name)
• Disable all the privacy settings
• Do more across devices with activity history > No
• Let Cortana help you get things done > Not now

• Connect to the internet, by either connecting the ethernet cable again or connecting to WiFi
• Allow PC to be discoverable on the network > Allow
• Install any Windows updates
• Shutdown Windows, reconnect any extra drives and remove the installation USB stick
• Enter the BIOS and do the following:
  • Verify boot priorities
  • Enable Memory XMP/DOCP settings
  • Enable CPU Virtualisation
• Boot into Windows
• Update & Security > For Developers > Developer mode
• Apply desired settings changes further down page

• Install Drivers:
• Can use Snappy Driver Installer to help figure out which drivers are best to install
• Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H Motherboard
• Crucial M500 Firmware
• Restart
• Clean up any temporary folders created in C:\
• (Note: My GigaByte motherboard has an issue that causes the Audio graph isolation process to consume high cpu usage when audio enhancements are enabled, so skip those options)
• Realtek sound settings:
  • Speaker Configuration > 7.1
  • Deselect Full-range Speakers
  • Speaker Fill
  • Enable Bass Management
  • Set microphone volume
  • Device advanced settings:
    • Make front and rear different
    • Separate all input jacks

• Access the various portable apps referenced in this guide from \\FileServer\Dereks Documents\Apps

• Ultimate Windows Tweaker (Making sure to disable Account Syncing)
• Run the following from an Administrator CMD prompt
  • powercfg /hibernate off
  • sc stop "WSearch"
  • sc config "WSearch" start= disabled
• Sign in to your windows account
• Don't setup PIN logon (or remove it afterwards)
• Ensure everything in Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings is Off
• Download Sysinternals AutoLogin and configure auto login, using your Microsoft account username and password
• Restart

• Languages

• Using Nirsoft uninstallview and the Start Menu uninstall default programs/apps, including:
  • Pre-installed games
  • Dolby Access
  • Onedrive
  • Skype
  • My Office
  • Mail
  • Weather
  • News
  • Mixed Reality Portal
  • Your Phone
  • SketchBook
  • Tips
• Unpin everything remaining on the start menu

• Right-click in the Downloads folder > Group by > (None)
• While still in downloads > View > Options:
  • Deselect Show recently used files/folders in Quick access
  • Apply to Folders
  • Expand to open folder

• Windows Settings:
  • Explorer > Right-click This PC > Properties > Advanced System Settings:
    • Change computer name
    • Enable System restore for desired drives and set the usage appropriately
    • Check and possibly disable remote access
  • Settings App:
  • System:
    • Focus Assist > Disable everything
    • Turn screens off after > 25 mins
    • Sleep after > 45 mins
    • Storage > Storage Sense > On, Delete files after > Never
    • Enable Clipboard History
  • Personalisation > Start > Disable suggestions on start menu
  • Gaming:
    • Disable Xbox game bar
  • Update & Security:
    • Change active hours
    • Enable updates for other Microsoft products
  • Tap the Shift key five times to trigger sticky keys, then disable all the shortcut keys
• Edit the Quick Actions on the notification window

• Right-click X:\Apps\ssstars.scr > Install
• Settings > Number of stars > 200

• Install GeForce Experience
  • Sign in with Nvidia account
  • Deselect automatically optimise newly added games
  • Settings:
    • Enable automatically download driver updates
    • Disable In-Game Overlay
    • Enable GameStream
  • Update Drivers using Custom Installation
  • Nvidia Control Panel:
    • Desktop > Disable Show Notification Tray Icon
    • Manage 3D settings > Power management mode > Adaptive

• Console

• Install WinrRAR:
  • Download and open the 48x36 Classic Theme
  • Copy the licence key file into its install folder
  • Settings > Integration > Context menu items:
    • Deselect both email options
    • Deselect both Open with WinRAR options

• Install Discord
• Settings:
  • Disable Automatically determine input sensitivity
  • Overlay > Avatar size > Small
  • Add Toggle Mute > Right Alt keybind
  • Disable Open on Start up

• Install and sign in to Splashtop Streamer (Personal)

• Install Borderless Gaming

• Backup

• Delete unwanted desktop icons
• Move Recycle Bin to corner
• Taskbar:
  • Hide Cortana
  • Hide Search
  • Unpin all the programs from the taskbar and pin the following in this order:
    • Edge
    • Explorer
    • Calculator
    • Resource monitor
    • Command Prompt (Right-click on the pin > right-click command prompt > properties > advanced > run as admin)
    • PowerShell
    • Registry Editor
    • Steam
    • Beat Saber