Windows 11 : Useful Registry

Below are some of the Registry entry or modification for Windows 11 that I find useful or convenient, it may not suit you thus use it sparingly.

Just copy the registry setting in those boxes into a Notepad and save it as *.reg to your preferred folder location and import it afterward.

1. Change "Search" box to icon.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search] "SearchboxTaskbarMode"=dword:00000001

2. Disable "Network Connected Devices (NCD)" auto setup.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NcdAutoSetup\Private] "AutoSetup"=dword:00000000

3. Disable Drivers searching and update in Windows Update.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching] "SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000000

4. Disable "Search" from searching the Internet & suggestions Apps or Advertisements. May need to re-build the "Index" afterward.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Explorer] "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"=dword:00000001

5.  Disable download Updates from other PC, this will prevent computer from downloading updates from another PC or allow upload of updates to another PC.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization\Settings] "DownloadMode"=dword:00000000 "DownloadModeProvider"=dword:00000008

6. Enable "Classic" Context Menu.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32] @=""

7. Disable Outlook auto prompt for Microsoft Account Sign-in to MS365.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\AutoDiscover] "ExcludeExplicitO365Endpoint"=dword:00000001

8. Disable Adobe Reader DC auto prompt for Adobe Account sign-in to Adobe Cloud.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown] "bIsSCReducedModeEnforcedEx"=dword:00000001

9. Disable PC Fast Startup option (optional but recommended for slow mechanical HDD system).

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power] "AcPolicy"=hex:01,00,00,00,06,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,03,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,18,f5,\   06,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,32,00,00,00,02,00,00,\   00,04,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,34,00,37,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,\   01,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,00,00,00,c0,01,00,00,00,05,00,00,00,01,\   00,00,00,0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,01,00,01,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,b0,04,00,00,\   35,00,33,00,39,00,38,00,2d,00,31,00,35,00,38,00,00,00,00,00,01,64,64,32,02,\   00,00,00,04,00,00,c0,00,00,00,00 "AcProcessorPolicy"=hex:01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,a0,86,\   01,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,28,32,00,00,02,00,00,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,\   00,a0,86,01,00,28,3c,00,00,03,00,00,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,\   28,50,00,00,01,00,00,00 "DcPolicy"=hex:01,00,00,00,06,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,03,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,31,00,\   38,00,02,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,2c,01,00,00,32,03,30,00,04,00,00,\   00,04,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,90,19,84,03,00,00,03,00,00,00,\   01,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,00,00,00,c0,01,00,00,00,05,00,00,00,01,\   00,00,00,0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,01,00,01,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,2c,01,00,00,\   01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,58,02,00,00,01,50,64,32,02,\   00,00,00,04,00,00,c0,00,00,00,00 "DcProcessorPolicy"=hex:01,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,a0,86,\   01,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,0a,14,00,00,02,00,00,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,\   00,a0,86,01,00,14,28,00,00,03,00,00,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,a0,86,01,00,\   14,46,00,00,01,00,00,00 "HBFlagsSwitch"=dword:00000001 "HiberbootEnabled"=dword:00000000 "PowerSettingProfile"=dword:00000000 "SleepStudyDeviceAccountingLevel"=dword:00000004 "WatchdogResumeTimeout"=dword:00000078 "WatchdogSleepTimeout"=dword:0000012c "POSTTime"=dword:00001146 "BootmgrUserInputTime"=dword:00000000 "FwPOSTTime"=dword:00001145 "SystemPowerPolicy"=hex:01,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,08,07,00,00,5a,00,00,00,\   04,00,00,00,04,00,00,00,04,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,\   00,00,00,01,00,00,00,05,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,04,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,04,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,04,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,04,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\   00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00 "TotalResumeTime"=dword:00001f0d "ResumeBootMgrTime"=dword:000000ca "ResumeAppTime"=dword:000001e7 "ResumeAppStartTimestamp"=dword:00001215 "ResumeLibraryInitTime"=dword:0000002b "ResumeInitTime"=dword:00000032 "ResumeHiberFileTime"=dword:00000166 "ResumeRestoreImageStartTimestamp"=dword:00001273 "ResumeIoTime"=dword:00000033 "ResumeDecompressTime"=dword:000000e2 "ResumeMapTime"=dword:00000040 "ResumeUnmapTime"=dword:00000001 "ResumeUserInOutTime"=dword:00000000 "ResumeAllocateTime"=dword:00000007 "ResumeKernelSwitchTimestamp"=dword:000013fc "KernelReturnFromHandlerTimestamp"=dword:00001433 "SleeperThreadEndTimestamp"=dword:00001cf2 "TimeStampCounterAtSwitchTime"=dword:00001426 "KernelReturnSystemPowerState"=dword:00001f03 "HiberHiberFileTime"=dword:00000554 "HiberInitTime"=dword:00000081 "HiberSharedBufferTime"=dword:00000001 "TotalHibernateTime"=dword:00000bd5 "KernelResumeHiberFileTime"=dword:000007d3 "KernelResumeInitTime"=dword:00000029 "KernelResumeSharedBufferTime"=dword:0000000c "DeviceResumeTime"=dword:000000f0 "KernelAnimationTime"=dword:00000024 "KernelPagesProcessed"=dword:000448d3 "KernelPagesWritten"=hex(b):90,8e,01,00,00,00,00,00 "BootPagesProcessed"=dword:0000dc84 "BootPagesWritten"=hex(b):f8,12,00,00,00,00,00,00 "HiberWriteRate"=dword:0000013e "HiberCompressRate"=dword:00000028 "ResumeReadRate"=dword:000000d1 "ResumeDecompressRate"=dword:00000074 "FileRuns"=dword:00000002 "NoMultiStageResumeReason"=dword:00000000 "MaxHuffRatio"=dword:00000063 "SecurePagesProcessed"=dword:00000000 "HiberChecksumTime"=dword:00000030 "HiberChecksumIoTime"=dword:00000006 "ResumeChecksumTime"=dword:00000000 "ResumeChecksumIoTime"=dword:00000000 "KernelChecksumTime"=dword:0000003c "KernelChecksumIoTime"=dword:00000008 "KernelResumeIoCpuTime"=dword:0000011e "HiberIoCpuTime"=dword:0000006c "HybridBootAnimationTime"=dword:00000929 "ResumeCompleteTimestamp"=hex(b):43,28,01,00,00,00,00,00

 

!!! HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Proxmox VE : Upgrade existing OS HDD (LVM)

Proxmox VE, upgrade existing OS HDD.

A single SATA HDD with LVM (ext4), OS drive configurations, without losing any PVE configurations & data. This methods only works with LVM type, not ZFS type.

Firstly, you need to have CloneZilla downloaded and ready (refer here for more info https://danielcheah.blogspot.com/2023/08/clonezilla-backup-restore-computer-disk.html).

You also need a "Blank" external HDD/SSD or any storage with sufficient capacity to store the backup image, recommended to have at least 1TB. But if your existing OS drive is already 1TB then you need a larger capacity such as 2TB. The storage of the backup must always be larger than the size of the HDD you want to backup.

Let's get started :-

1. Backup the existing PVE OS drive into an image via CloneZilla (more info here https://danielcheah.blogspot.com/2023/08/clonezilla-backup-restore-computer-disk.html).

2. Replace the OS drive with a brand new drive, in this case a larger capacity (eg. from 256GB to 1TB).

3. Restore the image into the new drive using CloneZilla. Ensure you select "Use partition table & size from the image" option during restore.

4. Boot-up the system with the new drive, there should not be any problems because PVE will recognized it as the same drive as before.

5. Login to the PVE server, now we need to truncate8 the systemd journal log files to the last 50MB, open --> Shell

journalctl --vacuum-size=50M

6. Next, is to delete the .deb cached installation packages.

apt-get clean

7. Next, is to clear all temporary files.

rm -rf /tmp/* /var/tmp/*

8. To delete old system log files.

rm -f /var/log/*.gz /var/log/*.1 /var/log/*.[0-9]

9. To delete old or unused ISO files (eg. ubutnu.iso). This step is optional but recommended.

rm -f /var/lib/vz/template/iso/ubuntu.iso

10. Remove backup files generated locally by PVE.

rm -f /var/lib/vz/dump/*

11. Then we need to update the repositories.

apt update

12. Next, we need to install a utility to extend the space of the newly added drive.

apt install cloud-guest-utils -y

13. First, relocate the GPT Backup Header.

sgdisk -e /dev/sda

14. Extend the Third Partition (the physical LVM Volume) to use the 100% capacity of the remaining unallocated disk space.

growpart /dev/sda 3

15. Resize the LVM Physical Volume.

pvresize /dev/sda3

16. Finally is to verify the expansion.

lvs

OR

df -h

OR

df -T

17. Reboot the system and double check again for confirmation.

18. End.

!!! HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Android : Custom DNS Server

Sometimes all you wanted is a custom DNS, either for Security reasons or for Privacy reasons or any reasons you deemed fits.

Its very easy and simple to make the changes.

Some settings may differs depending on phone's brand and model but mostly its the same concept, thus do not follow blindly.

1. Goto --> Settings --> Connections --> More connection settings --> Private DNS.

2. Select --> Private DNS provider hostname.

3. Key-in your preferred DNS provider, only a single entry is allowed.

                    - CloudFlare DNS : 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com

                        OR

                    - Google DNS : dns.google

4. When done --> Save.

5. Now you can start browsing the internet with ease.

!!! HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Windows 11 : Installing from Scratch, My Way (COE).

Many of you know that I've used to managed a very large quantity of Computers including Desktops, Laptops and Network printers in a large companies.

There is one common problems in managing such a large scale of computers, is the consistency and quality of deploying Windows 7 or 10 (back in those days). Its a very time consuming process whereby the Engineer needs to perform formatting, installing Windows, install Drivers, install Software, join to Domain, install Printers, configure Scanners, customized Corporate Wallpaper, Screensaver, Fonts etc. All those steps consumed roughly 3-4 hours and maybe more, mind you we didn't have the luxury of SSD during that era and it was an expensive component back then.

To cut short all these time consuming steps, it make sense to create a "Master Image" and use a cloning procedures to clone to all Computers, including the settings and configurations. But mind you that not all installations, configurations and settings are still intact after "Sysprep" process.

So some steps still required an Engineer's intervention or input, but we managed to cut short from 3-4 hours or more into just a mere 1-1.5 hours.

This what we called "Consistent Operating Environment (COE)" where all computers have the same Operating System, same Updates, same version of Drivers, same version/edition of Software, same configuration of Policy, and same Settings of Wallpaper etc.

So I'm sharing on how to create the COE image, but instead of using Windows 7 or 10, I'm going to use the latest Windows 11. To be more specific it will be Windows 11 Pro edition. Also note that this is for "Advanced User" or "Advanced Engineer" as there will not be any screenshots available.

Preparation.

1. Download the latest version of Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft website.

2. Download the latest version Rufus (a utility to create a bootable USB drive).

3. Create an "ei.cfg" file using notepad. Refer here for more information.

4. A minimum of 8GB USB Flash Drive, ensure its blank as Data will be wiped.

Create Bootable USB Drive.

1. Run "Media Creation Tool", it may take some time to load and ensure your computer is connected to     the Internet.

2. Select "ISO" when prompted and ensure to "Untick: Use recommended settings of this PC" to avoid       the ISO file created with the current computer's settings.

3. Run "Rufus" tool, select the newly downloaded ISO file and click "Start" button, you will be                   prompted for Windows 11 setup (eg. remove requirements for Secure Boot & TPM2.0). Select at your     own discretion. Just the simple remove TPM2.0 and Microsoft Online Account will suffice. Others        will be based on your own requirements.

4. Copy the "ei.cfg" file into the newly created Bootable USB Drive, assuming the drive is mounted as        [D:] drive then copy the file into "D:\sources\*.*"

5. You can now remove the drive from this computer.

Installing Windows 11.

1. Boot the computer from the newly created Bootable USB Drive, on some computer you may need to      invoke DEL, F2, F8 or F10 to select the boot medium.

2. Continue the installation wizard as shown on the screen until you see "Use previous version of                Setup"  under the dialog box. Where you will return back to good old and familiar Windows 10 like        setup wizard screen.

3. Ensure you are NOT CONNECTED TO INTERNET to avoid Windows 11 downloading Updates      & Drivers during the installation. As this will increase the speed of installation.

4. When prompted to connect to WiFi, just click "I don't have internet" option to continue. It may               automatically restart the computer & re-prompt the same question again, just proceed with the same        answer.

5. You will be prompted to key-in a Username, create any Username you deemed fit such as "PC                 Master" or similar. Leave the password blank for now.

6. When prompted for Privacy & Security settings, just "Untick" all available options and continue.

Windows 11 - Basic Configuration.

The following configurations although is Basic, but its also depends on your environment. Some configurations or settings may not apply to you or with changes that reflect to your environment.

1. Control Panel --> File Explorer Options --> General :-

    1.1 Open File Explorer to: This PC.

    1.2 Untick --> Show recently used files, Show frequently used folders, Show files from Office.com.

    1.3 Click --> "Clear" button.

2. Control Panel --> File Explorer Options --> View :-

    2.1 Untick --> Hide extensions for known file types.

3. Control Panel --> Power Options --> Power Plan :-

    3.1 Select either "Balanced" or "High Performance" depending on machine type.

Note: Suggest "Balanced" for Laptops and "High Performance" for Desktop or Workstation.

4. Control Panel --> Power Options --> System Settings:-

    4.1 Configure to your needs --> Power and sleep buttons and lid settings.

    4.2 Disable / Untick --> Turn on fast startup (recommended).

5. Control Panel --> Program and Features :-

    5.1 Uninstall --> Microsoft OneDrive.          (optional)

6. Settings --> Privacy & security :-

    6.1 Disabled --> Recommendations & offers.

    6.2 Disabled --> Inking & typing personalization.

    6.3 Disabled --> Diagnostics & feedback.

    6.4 Disabled --> Location.

    6.5 Disabled --> Voice activation.

    6.6 Disabled --> Account info.

    6.7 Disabled --> Contacts.

    6.8 Disabled --> Calendar.

    6.9 Disabled --> Phone calls.

    6.10 Disabled --> Call history.

    6.11 Disabled --> Email.

    6.12 Disabled --> Tasks.

    6.13 Disabled --> Messaging.

    6.14 Disabled --> Other devices.

    6.15 Disabled --> App diagnostics.

7. Settings --> Personalization :-

    7.1 Change --> Background Wallpaper.

    7.2 Change --> Lock screen background and behavior.

    7.3 Change --> Start button behavior.

    7.4 Change --> Taskbar look and behavior.

    7.5 Change --> Themes and Enabled "Desktop icons".

8. Open --> Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

    8.1 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> AutoPlay              Policies :-

            8.1.1 Enabled --> Turn off Autoplay : All drives.

            8.1.2 Enabled --> Prevent AutoPlay from remembering user choices.

            8.1.3 Enabled --> Disallow Autoplay for non-volume devices.

            8.1.4 Enabled --> Set the default behavior for Autorun : Do not execute any autorun commands.

    8.2 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Cloud                  Content :-

            8.2.1 Enabled --> Turn off cloud optimized content.

            8.2.2 Enabled --> Turn off cloud consumer account state content.

            8.2.3 Enabled --> Do not show Windows tips.

            8.2.4 Enabled --> Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences.

    8.3 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Connect :-

            8.3.1 Enabled --> Don't allow this PC to be projected to.

            8.3.2 Enabled --> Require pin for pairing : Always.

    8.4 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Maps :-

            8.4.1 Enabled --> Turn off unsolicited network traffic on the Offline Maps settings page.

            8.4.2 Enabled --> Turn off Automatic Download and Update of Map Data.

    8.5 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> OneDrive :-

            8.5.1 Disabled --> Save documents to OneDrive by default.

            8.5.2 Enabled --> Prevent OneDrive from generating network traffic until the user signs in to                         OneDrive.

            8.5.3 Enabled --> Prevent OneDrive files from syncing over metered connections.

            8.5.4 Enabled --> Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.

            8.5.5 Enabled --> Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage on Windows 8.1.

    8.6 Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Online                  Assistance :-

            8.6.1 Enabled --> Turn off Active Help.

Windows 11 - Extended Configuration.

The following is the Extended configuration, usually this are optional but recommended and highly depends on your environment. The following scripts must be REVIEW and MODIFY according to your needs.

1. Run --> Powershell (as admin), Remove Appx Packages for All Users :-

Write-Host Write-Host Write-Host "**************************" Write-Host "* Removing Appx Packages *" Write-Host "**************************" Write-Host Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing MS Teams..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *MSTeams* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing ZuneMusic..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *ZuneMusic* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing YourPhone..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *YourPhone* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing XboxSpeechToTextOverlay..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *XboxSpeechToTextOverlay* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing XboxIdentityProvider..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *XboxIdentityProvider* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing XboxGamingOverlay..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *XboxGamingOverlay* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing Xbox.TCUI..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Xbox.TCUI* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing WindowsFeedbackHub..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *WindowsFeedbackHub* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing OutlookForWindows..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *OutlookForWindows* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing MicrosoftSolitaireCollection..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *MicrosoftSolitaireCollection* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing MicrosoftOfficeHub..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *MicrosoftOfficeHub* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing GamingApp..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *GamingApp* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing BingWeather..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *BingWeather* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing BingNews..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *BingNews* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing QuickAssist..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *QuickAssist* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing GetHelp..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *GetHelp* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing BingSearch..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *BingSearch* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing WindowsTerminal..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *WindowsTerminal* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing WindowsAlarms..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *WindowsAlarms* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing Todos..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Todos* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing ScreenSketch..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *ScreenSketch* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing PowerAutomateDesktop..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *PowerAutomateDesktop* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing Clipchamp..." Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Clipchamp* | Remove-AppxPackage Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host Write-Host "Uninstallation of AppxPackages Completed." Start-Sleep -s 5

2. Run --> Powershell (as admin), Remove Appx Provisioned Packages :-

Write-Host Write-Host Write-Host "**************************************" Write-Host "* Removing Appx Provisioned Packages *" Write-Host "**************************************" Write-Host Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned MSTeams..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName MSTeams_1.0.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned ZuneMusic..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.ZuneMusic_11.2509.7.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned YourPhone..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.YourPhone_1.25062.84.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned XboxSpeechToTextOverlay..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay_1.117.15001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned XboxIdentityProvider..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_12.130.2510.6003_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned XboxGamingOverlay..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_7.325.7221.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned Xbox.TCUI..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI_1.23.28005.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned WindowsFeedbackHub..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_2024.125.1522.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned OutlookForWindows..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_1.0.0.0_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned MicrosoftSolitaireCollection..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.22.3190.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned MicrosoftOfficeHub..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub_19.2506.56051.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned GamingApp..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.GamingApp_2025.523.601.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned BingWeather..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.BingWeather_4.54.63017.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned BingNews..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.BingNews_4.1.24002.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned QuickAssist..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist_2025.331.2057.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned GetHelp..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.GetHelp_10.2407.22193.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned BingSearch..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.BingSearch_2022.1.43.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned WindowsTerminal..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_3001.18.10301.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned WindowsAlarms..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_2021.2510.4.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned Todos..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.Todos_2.120.7961.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned ScreenSketch..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.ScreenSketch_2022.2307.61.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned PowerAutomateDesktop..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop_11.2506.143.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host "Removing AppxProvisioned Clipchamp..." Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName Clipchamp.Clipchamp_4.3.10120.0_neutral_~_yxz26nhyzhsrt Start-Sleep -s 5 Write-Host Write-Host Write-Host "*******************************************************" Write-Host "* Uninstallation of AppxProvisionedPackage Completed. *" Write-Host "*******************************************************" Start-Sleep -s 5

3. Run --> CMD (as admin), install --> .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0).

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:E:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

Install Printer Drivers.

Majority printers can be pre-installed, but I would only recommend to only install printers that majority Users will be using. This may includes Multi-Function-Printer (MFP), Photocopier Machine (eg. FujiXerox, Canon), Dot-Matrix Printer (eg. Seikosha, Epson).

Those with desktop type Printers such as HP LaserJet P1102 series or similar are not recommended due to not all Users will have such printer thus it make sense to only install printers that are widely available to all Users.

Some printer drivers can be easily installed without network (eg. FujiXerox) while some really needs your computer to be connected to the network to detect the printer. In this case, you need to extract the drivers first into any folder and manually add the printer by manually specifying the IP Address of the printer as port.

Continue to add as many printers as needed and configure it accordingly.

Install Common Software.

Some software are very common and available to all Users or Company wide, this software can be tools such as 7Zip, Adobe DC Reader, Google Chrome Browser, Codecs, Microsoft Office, Anti-Virus etc.

Mostly I would recommend to pre-install everything but WITHOUT ACTIVATION. This is especially true if you install Microsoft Office as after Sysprep, the activation will be lost.

Some Anti-Virus may not works after Sysprep too, thus it is always recommended to only install during the actual deployment to User.

Most of the software I've encountered thus far have no issues with Sysprep, as long as the license is not activated. The below list may not be exhaustive and just to shed some lights of what I have tested to be working :-

• 7Zip
• Adobe DC Reader
• Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Adobe CS 6
• AutoCAD LT
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Silverlight
• SAP R/4
• Oracle 10g
• K-Lite Mega Codec Pack
• Google Chrome Browser
• Firefox Browser
• Microsoft SQL Client
• TeamViewer
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Windows 11 - Tuning Up.

1. Manually download required Updates from (https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx).     You can check which Updates are required by comparing it to another computer. Search it by the KB     codes.

2. Install the .MSU file type via CMD (as admin).

wusa.exe [KB File Name].msu /quiet /norestart

Example:

wusa.exe windows11-kb5030219-x64.msu /quiet /norestart

3. Install the .CAB file type via CMD (as admin).

dism /online /add-package /packagepath:[Full Updates Path & KB File Name].cab /quiet /norestart

Example:

dism /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\updates\windows11-kb5030219-x64.cab /quiet /norestart

4. Run --> Disk Cleanup --> Clean up system files --> Select all available options.

5. Settings --> System --> About --> Advance system settings --> System Protection :-

    5.1 Click --> "Configure" button.

    5.2 Enable --> Turn on system protection.

    5.3 Max usage --> 10%

    5.4 If there are any snapshot created automatically, you can "Delete" those snapshot.

6. Run --> Defragment and Optimize Drives.

    6.1 Defrag and Optimize all installed Drives.

7. Do a clean Restart and Shutdown.

Windows 11 - Sysprep.

1. Run (as admin) --> C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe

2. Select --> Enter System Out-of-Box-Experience (OOBE).

3. Enable --> "Generalize" option.

4. Select --> "Shutdown" option.

Note : If the "sysprep" process failed, means there are some applications installed or drivers is not compatible or not supported with "Sysprep". You need to figure out which software are not compatible and remove it accordingly.

Capture - Master Image.

You need to prepare another round of devices, this time you will need :-

1. A 16GB USB Flash Drive.

2. A 500GB or larger External USB Hard Drive.

3. Download latest Clonezilla tools.

4. Download latest Tuxboot tools.

5. Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive for Clonezilla using Tuxboot tools. Ensure the USB flash drive is     blank as Data will be wiped.

6. Ensure the "Master PC" is in Shutdown condition or not Sleep mode, just to be sure ensure that "Fast     Boot" was disabled.

7. Boot the "Master PC" with Clonezilla tool.

8. Start the image capturing process, you may refer here for more information and guides.

9. Finally Shutdown when done.

!!! HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Outlook : AutoDiscover Keep On Prompt For Password

Unsure what is the root cause for this, but after some updates (maybe); Microsoft Outlook 2016 and onwards keep on prompting User to key-in the password.

The password prompt keep on appearing albeit no password change was performed and the password confirmed to be correct when keyed-in, it will still says incorrect account or password.

A simple registry tweak solved the problems. Copy the below script and save it as *.reg file or you can manually browse to the path specified below and amend accordingly.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\AutoDiscover] "ExcludeExplicitO365Endpoint"=dword:00000001

!!! HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Software Archives : Microsoft

Being in the IT Industry for 30 years, I have been accumulating tons of software, tools and utilities over these years. Some are useful tools during that era while some are just for testing and of course some are for real production use.

There are many CDs and DVDs lying around my closet and it's time to clean those up. But instead of discarding it, I convert it to ISO file and upload to Internet Archive Database. The purpose is to share it to the world and of course for archiving purposes.

Note that these ISO were created/converted using a physical CDs & DVDs, it was in its original genuine form. These discs are either purchased as a Retail box or from Microsoft Action Pack (back in those days), while some are bundled with the purchase of a computer (Laptop, Desktop & Server) as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

So I can vouch that these ISO files were 100% Genuine and Original, No Tampering, No Modification and most importantly No Virus. But don't just take my words for it, always do your own scanning and do Checksum comparisons for safety and security reasons.

Oh, don't ask me for their License Key (aka CD-Key, Activation Key), although it is Genuine and Original and was purchased through legal channel(s), sharing those key to the public is a violation of Copyright Act. Please also do not request for any software I don't owned.

The list may not be exhaustive or whichever Edition/Version I have, and will be updated from time to time as I'm still doing the conversion.

Last Updated : 20th May 2026.

Desktop Operating System.

1. Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System) v.6.22 (Extracted).
2. Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System) v.6.22 (Floppy Image).
3. Microsoft Windows 3.11.

1. Microsoft Windows 95.

1. Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition.
2. Microsoft Windows 98 SE Boot Disk.
3. Microsoft Windows 98 Start Here.

1. Microsoft Windows ME (Millennium Edition).

1. Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.

1. Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
2. Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1.
3. Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2.
4. Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3.
5. Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (CD1).
6. Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (CD2).

1. Microsoft Windows Vista Home/Professional/Premium.
2. Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade.

1. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit.
2. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit.
3. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit.
4. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit (HP OEM).
5. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit (HP OEM).
6. Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit & 64-bit.

1. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1511 64-bit.
2. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1607 64-bit.
3. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1703 64-bit.
4. Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise 1703 64-bit.
5. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1903 64-bit.
6. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1909 32-bit.
7. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 1909 64-bit.
8. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 2004 64-bit.
9. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 20H2 32-bit.
10. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 20H2 64-bit.
11. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 21H2 32-bit.
12. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 21H2 64-bit.

1. Microsoft Windows 11 Professional 21H1.
2. Microsoft Windows 11 Professional 22H2.

Server Operating System.

1. Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Boot Disk.
2. Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51.
3. Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0.
4. Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0A.
5. Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Option Pack.
6. Microsoft Windows NT 4 Service Pack 6A.

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2000 Standard.

1. Microsoft Windows 2003 Standard.
2. Microsoft Windows 2003 Web.
3. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Debugging Tools.
4. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 OPK (OEM Preinstallation Kit).
5. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard (CD1).
6. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard (CD2).
7. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard (CD3).
8. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium (CD1).
9. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium (CD2).
10. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium (CD3).
11. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium FrontPage.
12. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Outlook.
13. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium SQL & Exchange Server.
14. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard 32-bit (HP OEM, CD1).
15. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard 32-bit (HP OEM, CD2).
16. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard 64-bit (HP OEM, CD1).
17. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard 64-bit (HP OEM, CD2).

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard 32-bit.
2. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard 64-bit.
3. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 64-bit.
4. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 64-bit (Acer OEM).
5. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard SP1.

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard & DataCenter.
2. Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard (HP OEM).

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Storage & Standard.

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Core & Standard.

1. Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Core & Standard.

Server Applications.

1. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard.
2. Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Standard & Enterprise (CU11).

1. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard.
2. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services.
3. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard SP3A.
4. Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard.

1. Microsoft Office Live Communication Server 2005.
2. Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 WorkGroup.
3. Microsoft ISA (Internet Security & Acceleration) Server 2004.
4. Mobile Information Server 2002 Enterprise.
5. Microsoft Project Server 2003.
6. Microsoft Office Sharepoint 2003 Standard.
7. Microsoft Office Sharepoint Portal Server 2003.

1. Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Professional - Server (CD1).
2. Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Professional - Sales & Outlook (CD2).
3. Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Professional - Documentation (CD3).
4. Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Professional - Crystal Reports (CD4).
5. Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Professional - Data Migration (CD5).

Office Suites.

1. Microsoft Office 97 Standard (Upgrade).

1. Microsoft Office XP Standard.
2. Microsoft Office XP Small Business Edition.
3. Microsoft Office XP Professional.

1. Microsoft Office 2000 Standard.
2. Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition (CD1).
3. Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition (CD2).

1. Microsoft Office 2003 Basic.
2. Microsoft Office 2003 Business Contact Manager for Outlook.
3. Microsoft Office 2003 FrontPage.
4. Microsoft Office 2003 InfoPath.
5. Microsoft Office 2003 OneNote.
6. Microsoft Office 2003 Publisher.
7. Microsoft Office 2003 Outlook.
8. Microsoft Office 2003 Professional.
9. Microsoft Office 2003 Full Edition.

1. Microsoft Office 2007 Full Edition (OEM).
2. Microsoft Office 2007 Business Contact Manager for Outlook.
3. Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student.
4. Microsoft Office 2007 OPK (OEM Preinstallation Kit).
5. Microsoft Office 2007 Professional.
6. Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise.

1. Microsoft Office 2010 Enterprise.

1. Microsoft Office 2013 Enterprise.
2. Microsoft Office 2013 Home & Business.

1. Microsoft Office 2016 Home & Business.
2. Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus.
3. Microsoft Office 2016 for MacOS.

1. Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Business.
2. Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus.
3. Microsoft Office 2019 for MacOS.

1. Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business.

1. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business.

1. Microsoft Visio Professional 2003.
2. Microsoft Visio Professional 2013.
3. Microsoft Visio Professional 2016.
4. Microsoft Visio Professional 2019.

1. Microsoft Project Professional 2003.
2. Microsoft Project Professional 2013.
3. Microsoft Project Professional 2016 64-bit.
4. Microsoft Project Professional 2019.

1. Microsoft Office Publisher 2002.

1. Microsoft Works 4.5.
2. Microsoft Works 4.5A.
3. Microsoft Works 6.
4. Microsoft Works 9.
5. Microsoft Works 2000.

1. Lotus 1-2-3 Release 5 for Windows (Floppy Image).

Others.

1. Microsoft Virtual PC 2004.
2. Microsoft FrontPage 98.
3. UBS Accounting v.8.1.
4. Chinese Star 2001.