To maintain a consistent PC environment on Windows 10, here is my installation and configuration manual, covering everything from OS setup to the final running steady state. The principle is minimalism: I rely on package managers to keep the system clean and applications streamlined.

Operating System

Install/reinstall the operating system as usual.

  • Windows 10 (Major) Version should be 21H2 or 22H2, and Windows 10 Pro or Pro for Workstations.
  • A modified (trimmed) disc image is acceptable.
  • Reserve at least 192GB for the system partition C:.

Set up Windows.

  • Do not create or login an online Microsoft account.
  • The user name should be 2 lowercase Latin characters.
  • Install available system update patches.
  • Remove bloatware with maximum effort.

Application

The application installation directory should be D:\Programs. Avoid paths containing spaces, such as D:\Program Files.

The following commands are for PowerShell by default.

Hardware Driver

Windows will automatically download and install drivers. That is enough, usually.

  • Install updated GPU driver.
  • Install mouse driver. Set side buttons to Copy and Paste, if applicable.
  • Install pen display drivers, if applicable.

Scoop

Scoop is a command-line installer for Windows. I choose Scoop for most application management.

Install Scoop.1

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

irm get.scoop.sh -outfile 'install.ps1'

Assign the Scoop directories.

.\install.ps1 -RunAsAdmin -ScoopDir 'D:\Programs\Scoop' -ScoopGlobalDir 'D:\Programs\ScoopGlobal' -ScoopCacheDir 'D:\Programs\ScoopCache'

The main bucket has a limited software selection. Several more buckets are necessary.

scoop bucket add extras
scoop bucket add versions
scoop bucket add nerd-fonts

Import and install following list (a JSON file).

list.json

scoop import list.json

Besides, installed applications can be exported with the following command.

scoop export > list.json

However, configuring newly installed applications can be cumbersome. Use cloud sync services for supported software to simplify this and maintain consistency.

Steam

The Steam platform can be installed using Scoop, or manually from the official website, or it could be retained form an OS reinstallation.

scoop install steam

Use Steam to manage games and several production tools.

JetBrains

JetBrains Toolbox can be installed using Scoop, or manually from the official website, or it could be retained form an OS reinstallation.

scoop install jetbrains-toolbox

Set Tools installation location to D:\Programs\JetBrains in the JetBrains Toolbox settings.

Use JetBrains Toolbox to get JetBrains IDEs.

Others

It remains a short list and requires manual installation.

  • KMS VL
  • Fence 4
  • TeX Live, full installation from the image
  • An Office Kit, like Microsoft Office, WPS, LibreOffice, whatever
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux
wsl --install --no-distribution
wsl --install -d AlmaLinux-9 --no-launch
wsl --install -d kali-linux --no-launch

Personalize

Set a wallpaper that has not been used before.

Shell and Terminal

Use Windows Terminal as the default terminal.

Set PowerShell font to LXGWWenKaiMono and Size 18. This font can be set directly without editing the Windows Registry.

A custom oh-my-posh theme is under revision.