Windows 7 - Optimize Gaming/Poweruser/Runtime Profile, optional ability for absolute minimal resources. (UEFI possible)

MT_

Active Member
Windows 7 - Optimize Gaming/Poweruser/Runtime Profile, ability to run absolutely minimal.

Version: New is newest, If I decide to keep updating I'll start versioning.

Similarly tuned to my LTSC build, works on VMware and physical computer.
If in doubt follow my LTSC instructions for aid.

Nothing is thoroughly tested, but gaming seemed to work just fine :p

Post-setup might not work on this one (somehow), so you'd have to copy paste them manually from, NTLite.xml after installation.
Comes with some additional post-setup registry files as well to put W7 to the absolute minimum (memory/handles).

Nominal installation for normal usage, average handles: 4200~
Absolutely bareboned: <2000 handles.

ISO: en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso
PROCESS: Same as my LTSC. Prepare updated image first, integrate nvme hotfix, usb/ahci/etc drivers if necessary (also on Windows setup), strip editions, then work from there. My personally picked updates list is also in the pack.


Screenshot:

w7.png


Windows 7 also (usually) works in pure UEFI mode;

1. Flash iso with rufus (GPT / UEFI (non CSM)
2. Boot either without CSM support and pc will reset and warn that it jumped into CSM mode, or manually enable legacy CSM mode.
3. Click on UEFI: Boot Windows 7 setup entry, Install W7.

(if peripherals do not work or drives cannot be seen, you either havent properly integrated nvme hotfix or relevant drivers)

4. When successfully installed, install video drivers.

(Most bcdedit commands are already implemented in post-setup, just need to do this after having installed video driver:)

5. bcdedit /set novesa on
6. Execute post registry file for EFI.
7. Reboot and turn off CSM compatibility module and go back to EFI.
8. Windows 7 should successfully boot in pure UEFI mode.
 

Attachments

  • Windows 7.zip
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  • Windows 7 New.zip
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ultraform :)
Copy and paste the post setups from setupcomplete.cmd.
That will make one sweet bitch of a workstation if you barebone the services right down and disable networking.
 
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Mhh no clue, haven't put actual emphasis on drive space. But my iso reduced to <2GB.

I think drive space can be further optimized.
 
I'm about to test this preset in a slimmed x86 and point out:
  • This preset is NOT recommended for old computers, not even applied to x86 sources due to driver related removals.
  • Memory usage in MB will increase when VM or physical computer has more than 1 GB
 
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For your first point. It could work on x86 PC, the build kinda uses the guidelines as my LTSC preset: Add whatever you need.

Your second point is correct. It will automatically use more for disk caching etc.

It was more about how low i could get the handles without the system being unusable :)
 
i get 4-500mb usage on 4 or 8gb with igpu using 128mb or whatever the bios default is. I dont worry about the ram use so much, 8.1 and 10 are better than 7 but i did use 7 with 4gb and apu igpu without much worry.
 
I dont think it matters that much indeed. WIndows will allocate and use as much as it wants, and will subsequently release whatever it requires if memory gets full.
 
Running the host and a vm is smooth with 8gb, if you dont doo much/media player 4gb is enough even with an igpu.
If you are stuck with a 32bit os for hardware drivver reasons then grabbing back as much ram is a good idea, i did it for years. Im 64bit only now even if the os is larger. Lower ram prices help though, i can get 4gb ballistix for under 20gbp, 8 for 40, thats 2400 and 2666, faster is more expensive of course.
 
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For your first point. It could work on x86 PC, the build kinda uses the guidelines as my LTSC preset: Add whatever you need.
The preset is removing support and drivers for stuff in old computers (let's say 9-14 years), that's it (I think there are grammatical errors).
 
It would be worth installing and activating on the target machine then or generate a HW list in free mode at least. I would at least do a default test install on the target, update, install/connect every piece of hardware that will be connected and backup all the needed drivers incase.
 
It would be worth installing and activating on the target machine then or generate a HW list in free mode at least. I would at least do a default test install on the target, update, install/connect every piece of hardware that will be connected and backup all the needed drivers incase.
I did generate a HW list and didn't worked. ;)
 
I would see if using 1 activation was worth it/possible. IF not just remove 3rd party drivers then.
 
I did generate a HW list and didn't worked. ;)
Probably some post setup services. Most of my profiles try to disable old/legacy stuff.

So in that regard its not a surprise it doesnt work on older hw out of the box ;-)

States if in doubt go to my ltsc page, and there is a trouble shooting part saying;

"bcdedit, drivers, services or specific registry files could potentially break your specific setup or might not be optimal for your hardware, so target those first in case of problems. Also running old BIOS / CSM, lower than USB3 etc might not work out of the box."

Anyway it is probably just one, maybe two tweaks to change or back to default to get it working.
 
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I just share what I had with this one. My other thread can be used as reference.

Ill see when i have time tomorrow ill include a txt file to list things that can break older systems.
 
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MT_ if you have installed to hardware id put "known working on or built on" x hardware, some might have old old hardware, some might be a few generations old, 7th gen intel or whatever.
 
check the live streams tab of youtube.com/meklin to see some of my tweaks which i do without ntlite, but im here to learn how to do it all without spending 6 hours every time i reinstall win7. specialize in moving off folders with symbolic link and not breaking win7 while disabling services! 3 hard drive ssd setup for gaming pubg dota
 
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