With Windows 7 you have many options to customize your PC - you can customize your start menu, desktop gadgets, Internet Explorer Toolbars, and libraries. You can also personalize your PC (my favorite!) - 5 ways to personalize your Windows 7 PC.
Enjoy Windows 7!
Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach
Right after install:
1. Any and all hardware drivers, excluding ones for my graphics card
2. Run Windows update
3. Install AV
4. Do a system image
5. Graphics drivers
6. Install apps, and update hardware drivers for some of them that need it
7. Configure email and browser and any other extras
8. Finally, give in to CassieFWinTeam's demands and personalize my PC.
Oh yeah. #9. Re-enable Quicklaunch!!! Why was that removed, anyway?
Last edited by Mellon Head; 07 Apr 2010 at 13:28.
Right after the installer finishes...
1) Install 3rd party drivers
2) Install any helpful updates
3) Test networking, printing, etc.
4) Start shutting down unnecessary crap
5) Stop unnecessary/undesirable events
6) Set up networking and file shares
7) Take a nap....
If it's my own install, I enable hidden Administrator account first, login again, then delete named User account in User Accts, turning UAC down to lowest setting. Now I am the one and only Admin.
I customize the start menu so Computer, Control Panel fold out a menu for easier access, show Run, Video and Downloads folder.
Install MSE or Avast, check Windows Update to get them started, especially looking for optional newer driver Updates. Check Device Mgr. Adjust screen res and up DPI to 120% for better readability.
Then I install Works, flash, Reader, Java, CCleaner, Auslogics defraggers from stick.
Then the dazzle: copy from stick collection of 120 Win7 national edition backgrounds into Pictures, rightclick desktop to Personalize them as desktop slideshow. These are the most lavish pictures ever taken and provide a thrill every time. Next I place weather, CPU and calendar gadgets, drag Word processor, SnipTool, Calc, IE8 to taskbar for quicker access and rightclick history.
In IE8 (which is finally perfect) I choose all the Google accelerators for rightclick define, map, translate, search, map genomes, etc; Compatibility updates, import favorites.
I then go into MSconfig and turn off all Startup items except AV, StikyNotes, and gadgets. This keeps startup under 30 seconds.
Finally I clean it up with CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, then defrag with Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers.
It takes an hour. Everything else is added as needed.
Last edited by gregrocker; 08 Apr 2010 at 16:39.
kis 2010 updated to the last date
firefox xD
windows live messanger full package
winrar
klitekodek
filezilla
PScs3
and the rest apps i install it when i nead it
- Install BootCamp 3.0
- Install BootCamp 3.1 64-BIT Update
- Install all drivers that Boot Camp didn't install, update some others.
- NVIDIA, SONNET, CREATIVE, ACER, etc
- Install all normal programs that I use.
- Avast, Comodo, Everest Ultimate, MBAM, Daemon Tools, CCleaner, Defraggler, Firefox, Partition Wizard, MacDrive
- Deactivate all visual effects & set to best performance on all accounts
- Aero, Visual Performance, Sidebar, Gadgets
- Set view settings for entire computer and all user accounts.
- Adjust system settings to my preferences
- System Restore, User Accounts, Quick Launch, Systray, Startup, Deactivate Windows Firewall & Defender
- Turn off any Windows Features I don't use
- Windows Media Player, Telnet, etc
- Configure flash drives for Readyboost
- Create a backup system image
- Install any games I'm playing ATM
- Mass Effect 2, Team Fortress 2, Far Cry 2, Just Cause 2, Dawn of War 2, Left 4 Dead 2
- Open each and every program and set them all to the settings I wish to use.
Thanks all for your input.
It seems like a lot of you like Avast. I use KIS. But for my clients, I put Avast and haven't heard any complaints.
the basics for me would be:
avast
firefox
malware bytes
ccleaner
vlc player
win rar
open office
rocketdock
I burned a windows 7 x64 "install kit" dvd for myself anytime I have to re-install. After installing the main system and doing some cleaning (various settings and start-up stuff) its the first thing I do. The disc contains all my motherboard drivers, gpu drivers, wallpapers, saved games(I also use a usb flash drive for a rolling back-up of save games), firefox settings and favorites, winrar x64, 7zip, firewall/anti-virus software etc. etc. Basically all the main stuff to be up and running minus the games and main apps.
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