Hello. Thanks for the guide! I've got a some questions. Do the tweaks include the bypass for the Microsoft Account requirement? Do they also include the privacy questions skip when doing the set up? Would these tweaks work for Windows 11 if included? Would it change anything if I checked the option to make an ISO when doing the final step to then set up the bootable USB through Rufus?
Guide: Optimized Image
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
No, but I agree some useful tweaks like these are missing, so they are on the to-do list for version 2.0 of this guide. I'm hoping to fully update all my guides after 23H2 officially releases around the end of this year.
Yes, and you can add them instead of waiting for my next update if you'd like. The Microsoft Account can be skipped on Windows 10 by unplugging internet, but on Windows 11 (link) you must choose to use a reg key (BypassNRO) or the F10 trick during Windows Setup. The privacy options require an "unattend" XML to skip, but I'm not sure where a good example to link to is, and I need to spend time myself experimenting with all of that more too because I may want to write a guide on unattend, since it comes up a lot on this forum.
On the last step in the guide, once the files are processed by NTLite they are left in an editable WIM format and can be copy/pasted straight to the root of a USB, which can be booted from to install Windows. Any other conversions, such as turning it back into an ISO is only adding extra work for no benefit, unless there's something you specifically need from it, such as burning the ISO format to a DVD to install Windows with.
You made a wonderful guide that has saved me a lot of time making a customized image. The registry settings were the best part as I had previously started making my own by piecing together .reg files from other sites. Learned quite a bit by browsing through them.
Question, does step 2 work with Windows 11 22H2? I've followed the instructions on that step, but when I boot the ISO in a Hyper V machine, the taskbar still has an Edge icon and the start menu still has a couple icons.
In the case of the taskbar, I suppose I can just use the registry setting to prevent Edge from pinning an icon. In the case of the start menu, I'm at a loss. Granted, there are much fewer icons since I had completed the component removal before. So all that's left are some system app icons, but still.
Question, does step 2 work with Windows 11 22H2? I've followed the instructions on that step, but when I boot the ISO in a Hyper V machine, the taskbar still has an Edge icon and the start menu still has a couple icons.
In the case of the taskbar, I suppose I can just use the registry setting to prevent Edge from pinning an icon. In the case of the start menu, I'm at a loss. Granted, there are much fewer icons since I had completed the component removal before. So all that's left are some system app icons, but still.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
Some of the tweaking on W10 doesn't carry over, such as the tiles/taskbar/start. I talk about that and some other things in the frequently asked questions section near the bottom of the guide. The layout of the guide could use some cleanup and trimming to better address questions like these, and that's something I've been working on the last few weeks (refining all my guides), I just haven't gotten to this big guide yet.
I haven't tried coming up with a W11 attempt at cleaning this stuff up, but even if I were to sit down and do so, it may take weeks or months to configure an elegant, non-hacky solution, the way that I approached W10. This was already difficult enough, and it sounds like it is equally or harder to do on W11...Many people complain about W11's start/taskbar though, so I wouldn't be surprised if tweaks get added by Microsoft in future updates to address it, because the same concept has happened in the past. Here's some W11 resources: link1, link2
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Totally understand there. After another attempt, I can confirm that the taskbar file and Edge icon regedit clear the taskbar entirely in Windows 11 22H2. Start menu is left with the Store, Settings, Calculator, Notepad, Paint and Explorer icons. Those aren't too bad to keep so I may just leave it at that for now.
I have noticed that Window 11 is a bit.. finnicky to setup using registry files. At home I have a Windows 10 installation and it was a noticeably smoother ride. Thanks for the links, I'll take a look.
I have another question. I combed through your registry edits and picked the ones that would best fit my current project. Though it seems upon testing in a virtual machine, Microsoft Edge has been wiped out. I don't really like Edge, but the project I'm working on requires it. I'm slowly going through the edits to triple check, but would you happen to know if a particular key prevents the installation of/or removes Edge?
There's no single key which blocks Edge installation. Edge can be delivered by the CU, Edge Updater or installed from local file.
1. W10 CU's include an outdated copy of Edge, because older releases shipped with IE11. W11 always had Edge present.
2. While Edge Updater can be removed or disabled, OOBE will try to re-install Edge Updater.
3. Another way to block Edge installer would be an IFEO for the named file(s).
1. W10 CU's include an outdated copy of Edge, because older releases shipped with IE11. W11 always had Edge present.
2. While Edge Updater can be removed or disabled, OOBE will try to re-install Edge Updater.
3. Another way to block Edge installer would be an IFEO for the named file(s).
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MicrosoftEdgeEnterpriseX64.msi]
"Debugger"="taskkill /f /im "
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe]
"Debugger"="taskkill /f /im "Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
Like Garlin is saying, I don't think it's actually possible for my guide to break Edge since I don't uninstall components, apps, or use volatile tweaks. These issues are almost always caused by people using a bad base image, or additional scripts and tools, which are the true culprit.
We can figure it out really easy though. First, try to see if Edge even exists on the computer (maybe only the shortcuts are gone) by entering "start msedge" into an elevated command prompt, without quotes. Does Edge launch? Also, check the programs and features of the control panel, to see if Edge appears in the list. The only Edge tweak in this guide is the "CreateDesktopShortcutDefault" key which tells Windows to not put a shortcut on the desktop to Edge when creating a new user on the PC, but Edge does not get uninstalled.
Thanks for the information. Edge was completely gone. Without a trace!
As I was skimming through the keys, I realized that I had forgotten about some registry keys from the Edge administrative templates I had added later on. And upon looking through those, I found a key mistakenly set to prevent the installation of one of the Edge channels. The pinned icon comes back unfortunately, but at least the browser is back online. So it was me all along!
My next edit is to see if I can set a default screen and system sleep time on a power saving mode for Windows. This installation will be for small laptops with limited batteries so a high performance mode isn't necessary. I wonder if I can adapt some of the settings you created for that use...
Tldr: microphone isn't working. Used gameros xml > then followed this guide. Any disabled service or ripped off component for xml?
Hello, I made my image with using your guide for win 10 with preapplied gameros XML for about 2 months may be. All things are ok, except my microphone is not working!
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At first, i thought my mic was damaged or something. Later about one month ago, I discovered that, microphone was disabled from privacy settings. However, i turned on all of things there, yet no success.
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So, i made my mind that my mic is gone. Now yesterday suddenly i thought i should check the mic with my laptop which has revios installed.
And it was working on the laptop. So, is it for some disabled service or somethings ripped apart for gameros xml?
.
Hello, I made my image with using your guide for win 10 with preapplied gameros XML for about 2 months may be. All things are ok, except my microphone is not working!
.
At first, i thought my mic was damaged or something. Later about one month ago, I discovered that, microphone was disabled from privacy settings. However, i turned on all of things there, yet no success.
.
So, i made my mind that my mic is gone. Now yesterday suddenly i thought i should check the mic with my laptop which has revios installed.
And it was working on the laptop. So, is it for some disabled service or somethings ripped apart for gameros xml?
.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
My guide changes the microphone to disabled by default in the privacy options, but after flipping the toggles in that 1 settings page and rebooting, the microphone will be enabled. Anything else that is breaking the microphone will not be related to my guide. Have you tried installing just my guide without GamerOS? Also, check your device manager to see if your audio drivers are installed.
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I'm afraid i didn't. I have made several clean images with your guide, mainly for windows updates. But i think, i have applied the xml file everytime.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
Do you mean monitor timeout? If so, those related settings would automatically be toggled by changing the power plan. That'd be the fast and easy way to address this, since we don't have to do all the legwork for the individual settings. Changing power plans is discussed below.
Sure, all we have to do is change the active power plan that's set in the image. In the file labeled, "Reg_0_NTLite.reg" edit it and change the long value for the "ActivePowerScheme" key to whichever plan you prefer. There's a post I wrote (link) that has the options. An unmodified Windows uses the Balanced plan, but for maximum battery life you could use Power saver.
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Yep, I was referring to monitor timeout. I was originally going to change the power plan and leave it at that, but then I found out the system timeout options have to, ironically, be extended. So I have to tweak the power saver plan to put the system to sleep in 2 hours and turn the screen off after 30 minutes. Is that also doable?
Previously I was able to get the power plan to stick and your reply and a quick Hyper V run confirmed that I did it correctly. Now I just have the final few tweaks to do.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
Add these registries into your reg files that have power settings and you'll be golden. Also, these extra power saver tweaks won't interfere with the other stuff in my guide, so you don't have to worry about removing the High performance power plan tweaks if you don't want to, since the user could manually switch to the High performance plan while playing a game or something intensive, and then those tweaks would help.
; Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings (Power saver) > Change advanced power settings > Sleep > Sleep after > 120 Minutes
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\29f6c1db-86da-48c5-9fdb-f2b67b1f44da\DefaultPowerSchemeValues\a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a]
"ACSettingIndex"=dword:00001c20
"DCSettingIndex"=dword:00001c20
; Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings (Power saver) > Change advanced power settings > Display > Turn off display after > 30 Minutes
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\3c0bc021-c8a8-4e07-a973-6b14cbcb2b7e\DefaultPowerSchemeValues\a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a]
"ACSettingIndex"=dword:00000708
"DCSettingIndex"=dword:00000708
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\29f6c1db-86da-48c5-9fdb-f2b67b1f44da\DefaultPowerSchemeValues\a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a]
"ACSettingIndex"=dword:00001c20
"DCSettingIndex"=dword:00001c20
; Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings (Power saver) > Change advanced power settings > Display > Turn off display after > 30 Minutes
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\3c0bc021-c8a8-4e07-a973-6b14cbcb2b7e\DefaultPowerSchemeValues\a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a]
"ACSettingIndex"=dword:00000708
"DCSettingIndex"=dword:00000708
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I feel like this was user error, but I added those settings to the registry file and it seemingly did not take. Power saver is indeed on, but the screen and sleep settings are not set. Was I supposed to apply those settings to all four parts of the Windows image too? I only added the power saver and the provided settings keys to the base image.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
Overall, the ActivePowerScheme value has to be changed into Power saver inside the Reg_0 file, and the two extra tweaks would go into the Reg_1 file. Make a new image in NTLite with that, install Windows and it will have the power saver plan active, with 2 hour sleep, and 30 minute monitor timeout.
It sounds like the sleep/timeout isn't working? If you manually follow the comment above the tweaks (Start > Windows System > Control Panel...) does it reflect the new values there, or are they still at the usual defaults? From here, right-click on your Reg_1 file and "Install" it to reapply the registry keys to the live Windows, then exit the control panel and come back to check if it has the new values.
It sounds like the sleep/timeout isn't working? If you manually follow the comment above the tweaks (Start > Windows System > Control Panel...) does it reflect the new values there, or are they still at the usual defaults? From here, right-click on your Reg_1 file and "Install" it to reapply the registry keys to the live Windows, then exit the control panel and come back to check if it has the new values.
Oh uh, I did things slightly different. I had skipped the Reg_0 file and added the ActivePower Scheme value to the Reg_1 file. Windows shows that the Power Saver plan is on and selected. I'll do it inside the Reg_0 file though. And as for the sleep and monitor timeout, I checked the control panel before and after applying the two settings and nothing changed. Double checked to make sure they were copied correctly and nothing seems off from what I can tell.
Hellbovine
Well-Known Member
I tested the timeout keys again on my W10 21H2 machine and they work there, so I think it's probably just a minor oversight somewhere. Download the attached .reg file from this reply and double-click to install it on a live Windows desktop, then check if the sleep/monitor timeout has been updated in the Power saver plan's advanced options from the control panel. If it still doesn't work, I'd suspect W11's power settings might be evolving in recent updates, but we'll burn that bridge when we get there.
Sure thing, I'll take another look and see what's up. After combing through the Windows 11 registry for the power plan data, I found that it does not seem significantly different compared to what Windows 10 has. At least from my inexperienced eyes.
I did find something that I could use some clarification on. There are seemingly two places where settings are stored.
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\4f971e89-eebd-4455-a8de-9e59040e7347\7648efa3-dd9c-4e3e-b566-50f929386280\DefaultPowerSchemeValues\381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\User\PowerSchemes\381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e\4f971e89-eebd-4455-a8de-9e59040e7347\7648efa3-dd9c-4e3e-b566-50f929386280]If I am understanding it correctly, the default power settings are all located under *Control\Power\PowerSettings\*. Power plan specific changes are under *Power\User\PowerSchemes\*. Any changes made to relevant settings will have a copy of the associated key from PowerSettings placed under the power plan in PowerSchemes. The above example shows a change in my power button action on a balanced profile.
Is it okay to change both? Should I only be changing values in the DefaultPowerSchemeValues subtree?
I'll try to update when I get a chance to test a bit more. So far, I booted up Windows on a laptop, made plan specific changes and watched the keys under the plan in PowerSchemes populate. Maybe I can just export those keys then?
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