Windows Guide

Windows Guide.md

Windows Guide

Note

GAC (General Availability Channel) are non-LTSC (Long Term Service Channel) editions.

Recommended Editions

• Windows 11 Enterprise - If you like Windows 11 features and its UI.

Win 11 GAC Download

• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC - If you don't need the latest features and don't want to have preinstalled apps when doing a clean install.

• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC - If you like Windows 10 features and its UI, better performance for low-end hardware compared to Win 11. Security updates continue until 2032 without any new feature updates.

Win 11/10 LTSC Download

Alternative

• Linux Mint – User-friendly Linux distribution

More details: LTSC Information

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Installation

Use the Change Edition option in the MAS Extras menu to switch between versions.

• Select Enterprise when using a GAC edition of Windows 11.
• HWID activation will automatically convert LTSC to IoT.

In-Place Upgrade or Repair

Keep all your data and settings while upgrading between GAC and LTSC or repairing your OS:

• In-place Repair Upgrade Guide

Clean Installation

Follow this guide for a fresh Windows installation:

• Clean Install Guide

Tip: Select IoT during LTSC setup if available.

Activation

• MAS - HWID method is recommended

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Telemetry Removal

• Easy Telemetry Disable

Edge Uninstall

Microsoft Edge is not required; better alternatives are available.

• Recommended Browsers
• Edge Uninstall Script

Apps

All preinstalled apps on GAC versions can be uninstalled normally through add or remove apps or with BCUninstaller.

• UnigetUI - Manage/Update Apps
• Microsoft Store on LTSC - If you require it

Clean Files

• Bulk Crap Uninstaller - Uninstall apps along with their leftover files
• WizTree - Disk Usage Analyzer
• Use Windows Disk Cleanup

Drivers

Always download drivers from the hardware manufacturer or from the company that made your device. Windows Update also provides reliable drivers.

• NVCleanstall - NVIDIA Driver Packages

Antivirus

Stick with Windows Defender – it’s lightweight and effective.

• Do not turn real-time protection off. 'Allow on device' for false positives (e.g. Cracked software).

Alternative

• Malwarebytes - This is useful for malware scans as it has strong detection.

Learn more:

• File Scanners
• Security Tools

Start Menu

Disable Bing Search

1. Open Edit Group Policy
2. Go to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
3. Double-click Don't search the web or display web results in Search (Win 11) or Do not allow web search (Win 10)
4. Select Enabled -> Click OK.
5. Restart Windows Explorer or reboot

Troubleshooting

There are many troubleshooting options within the MAS script and additional information on its site. You can also ask questions within the MAS discord server.

If you do not meet the usual Windows 11 hardware requirements, such as TPM, Secure Boot, or UEFI, you can use IoT editions which have relaxed hardware requirements while still receiving continued support in the future. Guide here: Windows 11 on Unsupported Devices

Windows 11 24H2 requires CPUs that support SSE4.2 and POPCNT instructions. There is no bypass. Check CPU compatibility on CPU-World

Additional Resources and Notes

Avoid debloaters, heavy theming, or anything else that says it will optimise or remove telemetry from your OS. This is because it will likely cause breakage to your system that is difficult to find or revert.

It is best to use starred options in FMHY System Tools - Read the warning.

• Monitorian - Adjust External Monitor Brightness

• Windows 10 Updates After End-Of-Life

A monthly cleanup with Bleachbit can do wonders on most normie setups, could be considered to be added in the Clean Files section. Even better if you hook a batch file to the Task Scheduler that does it for you. Noice guide nonetheless.👌

@cocksoft Sorry but bleachbit isn’t as useful compared to the other tools mentioned in the clean files section

@VVispy Sorry, I'm not sure if you're joking or not. Most regular users just want something that works. The tools you mentioned are actually not helpful in that sense, since they require manual intervention, which defeats the purpose when you're just trying to clear cache and other junk left behind by programs. And no, BCU actually doesn't delete some of those.

Who really finds a huge list of files and usage stats shown by WizTree useful? Most people have no idea what they’re looking at. Maybe you haven’t even tried Bleachbit yourself and are just giving a biased opinion on how ‘useless’ it is. Sadly, that wouldn’t be surprising, considering that’s how most of the FMHY mods are, except for maybe Tomato and a few others.

@cocksoft I ran a poll in the server, majority said not to add it. I have tried Bleachbit and didn’t find it useful enough. It isn't starred in FMHY either.

Great list!
I'd recommend Microsoft PowerToys - I don't know why it's not installed by default to be honest

@Leafmun-certii
"It is best to use starred options in FMHY System Tools - Read the warning." This line is at the bottom of the guide, PowerToys is starred at the top of the page.

i suggest adding a small section about the oobe\bypassnro command during the first boot of windows 11 to use the local account/allow you to complete the setup without connecting to the internet

@GordonFeetman0 You can just domain join on a work/school account instead, it's a lot safer and friendlier than running commands during OOBE.

@GordonFeetman0 @waflenoob Rufus has the option to create local account which bypasses the need for an online account