windows-setup

How to set up Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Useful information, tips & tricks and other relevant resources to properly configure a Windows 10 user account/ computer.

Note: Some content is focused on Germany.

Programs

• Mozilla Firefox: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
• Google Chrome: https://www.google.com/intl/en-US/chrome/
• Mozilla Thunderbird: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
• PDF24 Creator: https://tools.pdf24.org/en/creator
• Notepad++: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/
• Microsoft Office: https://www.office.com/
• LibreOffice: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/
• VLC Media Player: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/#download
• iMazing HEIC Converter: https://imazing.com/heic/download

System tools

• Sysinternals Process Explorer: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer
• Sysinternals Autoruns: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
• Greenshot: https://getgreenshot.org/downloads/ and https://github.com/greenshot/greenshot
• 7-Zip: https://www.7-zip.org/download.html
• WizTree Disk Space Analyzer Portable: https://www.diskanalyzer.com/ (a better alternative to WinDirStat)
  • formerly: WinDirStat Portable: https://portableapps.com/de/apps/utilities/windirstat_portable
• WizFile Portable: https://antibody-software.com/wizfile/ Search, file finder
• Voidtools Everything: https://www.voidtools.com/ Search, file finder

Video telephony

• Microsoft Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app
• Zoom: https://zoom.us/download
• Cisco Webex Meetings: https://www.webex.com/downloads.html
• Teamviewer: https://www.teamviewer.com/download/windows
• Teamviewer German: https://www.teamviewer.com/de/download/windows
• Linphone: https://www.linphone.org/technical-corner/linphone

Remove Adware and Potentially Unwanted Programs

• Malware, Virus, Viren, Antiviren, Antivirus, Adware, PUPs
• AdwCleaner: https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner
• Malwarebytes:
  • https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download
  • https://de.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Other 1

• O&O ShutUp10 https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
• Windows 10 Decrapifier https://community.spiceworks.com/scripts/show/4378-windows-10-decrapifier-18xx-19xx-2xxx
• YES _ Windows 10: Cortana deinstallieren https://www.netzwelt.de/anleitung/180485-windows-10-cortana-deinstallierenso-gehts.html
• Cortana vollständig deinstallieren https://praxistipps.chip.de/cortana-vollstaendig-deinstallieren-so-gehts_44689
• Windows 10 OneDrive entfernen https://www.netzwelt.de/tutorial/163642-windows-10-so-deinstalliert-onedrive.html
• OneDrive deinstallieren https://www.heise.de/tipps-tricks/OneDrive-deinstallieren-so-geht-s-4975944.html
• YES _ Web-Suche in Windows 10 deaktivieren (mit Gruppenrichtlinien) https://www.windowspro.de/wolfgang-sommergut/web-suche-windows-10-deaktivieren-gruppenrichtlinien
• Windows 10 - Websuche im Startmenü deaktivieren https://www.bennetrichter.de/anleitungen/windows-10-websuche-deaktivieren/
• How to Force Uninstall Programs on Windows 10/11 Computers https://wccftech.com/how-to/how-to-force-uninstall-programs-on-windows-10-11-computers/
• Windows 10 installieren 2022 - Mit USB + Einrichten & Treiber Installation, HardwareDealz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5TGARdHkRM
• Systemfehler mit SFC und DISM reparieren (sfc /scannow) https://www.netzwelt.de/anleitung/166183-windows-10-so-behebt-fehler-ueber-sfc-dism.html
• https://www.makeuseof.com/difference-between-chkdsk-sfc-and-dism-in-windows-10/
• https://superuser.com/questions/1658332/run-sfc-scannow-or-chkdsk-f-first
• https://superuser.com/questions/1579030/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-dism-restorehealth-parameter-and-sfc
• https://superuser.com/questions/1330365/how-will-dism-online-cleanup-image-restorehealth-affect-my-current-configurat
• Deactivate Internet Explorer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/developer/browsers/installation/disable-internet-explorer-windows

Other 2

• Snappy Driver Installer Origin: https://www.snappy-driver-installer.org/ (use with caution)
• Patch My PC (check for outdated software): https://patchmypc.com/home-updater
• Samsung Magician Software for SSDs: https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/
• Micron Crucial Storage Executive: https://www.crucial.com/support/storage-executive
• CrystalDiskInfo: https://crystalmark.info/en/download/
• Portable Apps: https://portableapps.com/
• CPU-Z: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU-Z

Remove or Uninstall Programs

If a programm cannot be uninstalled successfully through the standard procedures, this program might help

• Revo Uninstaller Free: https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo-uninstaller-free-download/

Network Scanner

• Advanced IP Scanner: https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
• Angry IP Scanner: https://angryip.org

WhyNotWin11

• Achitecture: 64bit instead of 32bit (both CPU and OS)
• Boot method: UEFI instead of Legacy
• Disk partition type: GPT instead of MBR

Source:

• https://github.com/rcmaehl/WhyNotWin11
• Download WhyNotWin11 latest stable release (64-bit): https://github.com/rcmaehl/WhyNotWin11/releases/latest/download/WhyNotWin11.exe

Get directly to UEFI-BIOS

How to restart/reboot Windows 10 to get directly to UEFI-BIOS

• Settings method: Windows settings --> Update & Security --> Recovery --> Advanced startup --> Restart now --> Troubleshoot --> Advanced options --> UEFI firmware settings
• Shift method: Start menu --> select Power (Power button icon) --> hold Shift on keyboard while selecting Restart --> select Troubleshoot --> Advanced options --> UEFI firmware settings

Source:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-uefi-mode-or-legacy-bios-mode?view=windows-10
• https://www.pc-magazin.de/ratgeber/bios-uefi-starten-windows-10-3201227.html

Microsoft account

• https://account.microsoft.com Microsoft account overview
• https://account.microsoft.com/devices Devices linked to Microsoft account
• https://account.microsoft.com/services/microsoft365/install Devices logged in to Microsoft 365
• https://account.microsoft.com/devices/content Devices linked to the Microsoft Store

Remove/Uninstall Cortana

• Right click on the Windows icon in the bottom left
• Click on Windows PowerShell (Administrator)
• Copy the following command:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

• Paste it in the Windows PowerShell by pressing Right click
• Press Enter

If the command above does not work, try one of these commands:

Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage

Remove/Uninstall Xbox

Similar to the description above.

Get-AppxPackage *Xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage

Sources:

• https://www.heise.de/forum/heise-online/Kommentare/Windows-Microsofts-Sound-Management-ist-eine-Qual/Re-Die-ins-Betriebssystem-integrierte-Xbox-Game-Bar/posting-42299195/show/
• https://www.lifewire.com/remove-xbox-app-from-windows-10-4587103

Rename a Wired Network Connection

• Press Win + R
• Enter regedit.exe or simply regedit
• Open the app as an admin, e.g. by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter
• Open this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles

• The profiles are listed in the folders below

Sources:

• https://www.tecchannel.de/a/netzwerknamen-unter-windows-10-aendern,3277868
• https://www.pctipp.ch/praxis/windows/windows-10-netzwerke-umbenennen-so-gehts-2002978.html

Change hostname

• Press the Windows key in the bottom left
• Search for PC Info
• Click on Rename this PC

Sources:

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rename-your-windows-10-pc-750bc75d-8ff8-e99a-b9dc-04dff566ae74

Show icons on desktop

Gemeinsame Symbole auf dem Desktop, Desktopsymboleinstellungen

• Einstellungen --> Personalisierung --> Designs --> Desktopsymboleinstellungen
• Settings --> Personalization --> Themes --> Desktop icon settings

Password of SMB fileshares

• Press Win + R
• Enter netplwiz.exe

Remove Web Results from Windows Search

• Suche: Gruppenrichtlinien bearbeiten / gpedit.msc
• Administrative Vorlagen
• Windows-Komponenten
• Suche
• Nicht im Web suchen und keine Webergebnisse in der Suche anzeigen

Disable Bing in the Start Menu Search

• https://www.howtogeek.com/224159/how-to-disable-bing-in-the-windows-10-start-menu/

Disable OneDrive Synchronization

• https://www.cbackup.com/articles/stop-onedrive-from-syncing-6688.html
• https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-disable-onedrive.html
• https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-disable-onedrive-on-your-windows-10-pc-why-youd-want-to/

Useful Windows applications and commands

Helpful shortcut:

• Win + R: Run / Ausführen

The following applications are located in the folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\:

• winver.exe About Windows / Info über Windows --> Windows-Version
  • About Windows: Display Windows version information.
  • Info: Windows-Versionsinformationen anzeigen.
• msinfo32.exe System Information / Systeminformationen
  • System Information: View advanced information about hardware and software settings.
  • Systeminformation: Erweiterte Informationen zu Hardware- und Softwareeinstellungen anzeigen.
• devmgmt.msc Device Manager / Geräte-Manager
• diskmgmt.msc Disk Management / Datenträgerverwaltung
• dfrgui.exe Optimize Drives (Defragment and Optimize Drives) / Laufwerke optimieren (Laufwerke defragmentieren und optimieren)
• taskmgr.exe Task Manager / Task-Manager (Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
  • Task Manager: View details about programs and processes running on your computer.
  • Task-Manager: Details zu Programmen und Prozessen anzeigen, die auf dem Computer ausgeführt werden.
• resmon.exe Resource Monitor / Ressourcenmonitor
  • Resource Monitor: Monitor the performance and resource usage of the local computer.
  • Ressourcenmonitor: Überwacht die Leistung und Ressourcennutzung des lokalen Computers.
• perfmon.msc Performance Monitor / Leistungsüberwachung (auch perfmon.exe)
  • Performance Monitor: Monitor the performance of local or remote computers.
  • Leistungsüberwachung: Überwacht die Leistung von lokalen Computern oder Remotecomputern.
• regedit.exe Registry Editor / Registrierungs-Editor (auch regedt32.exe)
  • Registry Editor: Make changes to the Windows registry.
  • Registrierungs-Editor: Windows-Registrierung ändern.
• netplwiz.exe User Accounts (Manage Passwords) / Benutzerkonten (Kennwörter verwalten)
• compmgmt.msc Computer Management / Computerverwaltung
  • Computer Management: View and configure system settings and components.
  • Computerverwaltung: Zeigt Systemeinstellungen und -komponenten an und konfiguriert sie.
• cleanmgr.exe Disk Cleanup / Datenträgerbereinigung
• msconfig.exe System Configuration / Systemkonfiguration
• sysdm.cpl System Properties (Computer Name) / Systemeigenschaften (Computername)
• SystemPropertiesProtection.exe System Properties (System Protection) / Systemeigenschaften (Computerschutz)
• eventvwr.msc Event Viewer / Ereignisanzeige (auch eventvwr.exe)
  • Event Viewer: View monitoring and troubleshooting messages.
  • Ereignisanzeige: Überwachungs- und Problembehandlungsmeldungen anzeigen.
• UserAccountControlSettings.exe User Account Control Settings / Einstellungen für Benutzerkontensteuerung
  • Change UAC Settings: Change User Account Control settings.
  • UAC-Einstellungen ändern: Ändert Einstellungen für Benutzerkontensteuerung.
• wscui.cpl Security and Maintenance (Control Panel) / Sicherheit und Wartung (Systemsteuerung)
  • Security and Maintenance: Open Security and Maintenance.
  • Sicherheit und Wartung: Öffnet Sicherheit und Wartung.
• appwiz.cpl Programs and Features (Control Panel, list of installed programs) / Programme und Features (Systemsteuerung, Liste der installierten Programme)
  • Programs: Launch, add or remove programs and Windows components.
  • Programme: Programme und Windows-Komponenten starten, hinzufügen oder entfernen.
• inetcpl.cpl Internet Properties (maybe related to Internet Explorer?) / Eigenschaften von Internet (eventuell für Internet Explorer?)
  • Internet Options: View Internet Properties.
  • Internetoption: Interneteigenschaften anzeigen.
• cmd.exe Command Prompt / Eingabeaufforderung
  • Command Prompt: Open a command prompt window.
  • Eingabeaufforderung: Eingabeaufforderungsfenster öffnen.
• rstrui.exe System Restore / Systemwiederherstellung
  • System Restore: Restore your computer system to an earlier state.
  • Systemwiederherstellung: Früheren Zustand des Computers wiederherstellen.
• services.msc Services / Dienste
• taskschd.msc Task Scheduler / Aufgabenplanung
• printmanagement.msc Print Management / Druckverwaltung
• mdsched.exe Windows Memory Diagnostic / Windows-Speicherdiagnose
• control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting
  • Windows Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot problems with your computer.
  • Windows-Problembehandlung: Behandelt Probleme mit dem Computer.
• cmd.exe /k %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe
  • Internet Protocol Configuration: View and configure network address settings.
  • Internetprotokollkonfiguration: Netzwerkadresseinstellungen anzeigen und konfigurieren.
• msra.exe
  • Remote Assistance: Receive help from (or offer help to) a friend over the Internet.
  • Remoteunterstützung: Über das Internet Hilfe von einem Freund erhalten (oder einem Freund Hilfe anbieten).
• quickassist.exe Quick Assist / Remotehilfe (Ctrl + Win + Q)
• control.exe Control Panel / Systemsteuerung, Classical settings (Windows 7)
• control.exe folders File Explorer Options (Folder options) / Ordneroptionen
• control.exe system About (Settings --> System --> About) / Info (Einstellungen --> System --> Info), Device specifications, Rename this PC, Windows specifications
  • System Properties: View basic information about your computer system settings.
  • Systemeigenschaften: Grundlegende Informationen zu den Systemeinstellungen des Computers anzeigen.

These applications are almost always included in Windows. Most of these programs are part of the "Windows Administrative Tools". Die meisten dieser Programme sind Teil der "Windows-Verwaltungsprogramme".

• C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

The following applications have other locations:

• This PC, formerly My Computer / Dieser PC, ehemals Arbeitsplatz (Win+E)
• Quick access / Schnellzugriff (Win+E)
• PCHealthCheck.exe PC Health Check / PC-Integritätsprüfung
  • located at C:\Program Files\PCHealthCheck\PCHealthCheck.exe
• SystemSettings.exe Settings / Einstellungen, ImmersiveControlPanel, Modern settings (Windows 10)
  • located at C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel\SystemSettings.exe

Nasty Networking Issue

• https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/de-DE/17c9ea7d-52df-4ef9-95fa-0a961d11bfa3/fix-for-cannot-access-nas-drives-sharefolder-is-not-accessible-or-quoterror-code
• https://www.stellarinfo.co.in/blog/how-to-fix-nas-device-not-visible-on-windows-10/
• https://kb.synology.com/en-nz/DSM/tutorial/What_can_I_do_if_my_Synology_NAS_does_not_show_up_in_Network_in_Windows_File_Explorer
• https://www.buffalotech.com/knowledge-base/windows-10-cannot-access-shares-on-nas
• https://www.google.de/search?q=%220x80070035%22
• https://basic-tutorials.de/ratgeber/software/fehlerbehebung-0x80070035-fehlercode-der-netzwerkpfad-wurde-nicht-gefunden/
• https://de.minitool.com/nachrichten/der-netzwerkpfad-wurde-nicht-gefunden.html
• https://hdwh.de/windows-10-netzwerk-zeigt-fehler-0x80070035-der-netzwerkpfad-wurde-nicht-gefunden/
• https://www.borncity.com/blog/2015/09/21/windows-10-netzwerk-zeigt-fehler-0x80070035/
• https://www.expertiger.de/windows-problem/windows-fehler-0x80070035
• https://www.windows-faq.de/2018/02/22/0x80070035-fehlercode-der-netzwerkpfad-wurde-nicht-gefunden/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIcJluf-0Q Network Path Not Found - WIndows 10 1803 - Guaranteed Fix
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/networking/cannot-access-shared-folder-file-explorer
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/networking/mapped-drives-not-available-from-elevated-command
• https://docs.qnap.com/operating-system/qts/5.0.x/de-de/webserver-091B47DC.html
• https://forum.qnapclub.de/thread/58177-keine-verbindung-%C3%BCber-browser/

Problem:

• Windows 10 error code 0x80070035
• When trying to open a network share, Windows 10 does not show a prompt to enter the username and password

Solution:

• Enter the NAS hostname, username and password manually via netplwiz

Question:

• Why does Windows 10 not show the prompt to enter the username and password for a network share? Maybe it is related to the user permissions or rights?

chkdsk

Open the command line (CMD) as an administrator.

chkdsk c: /r /v

c:
Is for the drive with the letter "c".
Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount point, or volume name.

/r
Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.
The disk must be locked.
/r includes the functionality of /f, with the additional analysis of physical disk errors.

/v
Displays the name of each file in every directory as the disk is checked.

How to evaluate the results of chkdsk:

Ereignisanzeige (Event Viewer)

Ereignisanzeige (Lokal) --> Windows-Protokolle --> Anwendung

Look for an entry with the source "Wininit"

Sources:

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/chkdsk
• https://old.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/oc54a1/which_software_to_use_to_check_drive_health/
• https://www.filehorse.com/download-victoria-ssd-hdd/ Victoria HDD/SSD download
• https://recoverhdd.com/blog/using-victoria-for-testing-repair-hard-drive.html Victoria HDD/SSD How to
• https://hdd.by/victoria_faq/ Victoria FAQ

Linux:

sudo badblocks -sv /dev/sda

-s
show progress

-v
be "verbose" and output bad sectors detected to stdout

Source:

• https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/badblocks

Linux:

sudo e2fsck -fvn /dev/sda2

-f
Force checking even if the file system seems clean

-v
Verbose mode

-n
Open the filesystem read-only, and assume an answer of 'no' to all questions. Allows e2fsck to be used non-interactively.

• https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/347280/how-to-perform-full-check-of-ext4-file-system-structure

Other important tools

DISM / dism

sfc

In-place upgrade

Links:

• https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html How to Do a Repair Install of Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

defrag

Open the command line (CMD) as an administrator.

defrag c: /h /u /v /x

c:
Specifies the drive letter or mount point path of the volume to be defragmented or analyzed.

/h
Runs the operation at normal priority (default is low).

/u
Prints the progress of the operation on the screen.

/v
Prints verbose output containing the fragmentation statistics.

/x
Performs free space consolidation on the specified volumes.

Sources:

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/defrag

Linux:

sudo e4defrag -c /dev/sda2

sudo e4defrag /dev/sda2

-c
Get a current fragmentation count and an ideal fragmentation count, and calculate fragmentation score based on them.

Sources:

• https://askubuntu.com/questions/221079/how-to-defrag-an-ext4-filesystem
• https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/e4defrag.8.html

Recommended hardware

Laptop brands

• Lenovo

Printers

• Epson
• Brother

Windows Update error: KB5034441 with error code 0x80070643

• KB5034441: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5034441-windows-recovery-environment-update-for-windows-10-version-21h2-and-22h2-january-9-2024-62c04204-aaa5-4fee-a02a-2fdea17075a8
• Error code 0x80070643
• KB5028997: Instructions to manually resize your partition to install the WinRE update
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5028997-instructions-to-manually-resize-your-partition-to-install-the-winre-update-400faa27-9343-461c-ada9-24c8229763bf
• https://superuser.com/questions/561605/how-can-i-increase-my-shrink-space-in-disk-management
• https://www.downloadsource.net/how-to-fix-the-windows-re-image-was-not-found-winre-wim-install-wim-install-esd/n/20721/#google_vignette
• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
• https://www.heise.de/hintergrund/Missgluecktes-Windows-Update-im-Januar-2024-Was-Sie-tun-koennen-9613929.html
• https://www.heise.de/news/Microsoft-Keine-automatische-Loesung-fuer-0x80070643-Update-Fehler-mehr-geplant-9706650.html
• https://www.computerbase.de/2024-01/kb5034441-windows-10-update-bricht-mit-fehlercode-0x80070643-ab/
• https://superuser.com/questions/1210470/multiple-recovery-partitions-in-windows-10
• Important:
  • Always check first if the OS partition is able to shrink (diskmgmt.msc)!
  • Always disable reagentc before deleting a Windows recovery (WinRE) partition! Otherwise you have to extract the Windows recovery image (winre.wim) from the Windows 10 ISO which is very time consuming.
  • After all changes have been made, always check in This PC and diskmgmt.msc that no drive letter is assigned to the newly created WinRE partition. In other words, the new WinRE partition should not be visible in This PC. This is especially important for MBR-formatted drives. If a letter is assigned to the partition, then the letter can be removed through diskmgmt.msc.
• Recommended size:
  • Windows 10 EFI partition: 500 MB - 1000 MB
  • Windows 10 recovery partition: 1000 MB - 2000 MB

reagentc /info
reagentc /disable
reagentc /enable

diskpart

delete partition override

list vol


create partition primary id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

gpt attributes =0x8000000000000001

format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows RE tools"

Windows Remotehilfe, Quick Assist

• Shortcut: Ctrl + Win + Q / Strg + Win + Q
• https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/l%C3%B6sen-von-pc-problemen-%C3%BCber-eine-remoteverbindung-b077e31a-16f4-2529-1a47-21f6a9040bf3
• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/solve-pc-problems-over-a-remote-connection-b077e31a-16f4-2529-1a47-21f6a9040bf3
• https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/client-management/client-tools/quick-assist
• https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/remotehilfe-installieren-c17479b7-a49d-4d12-938c-dbfb97c88bca