Windows 7 - Post-Install Hardening

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First Things First


Remove Windows Bloat

  • Open the Start-Menu and select Control Panel.
  • Click View by: and select Large icons.
  • Open Programs and Features.
  • In the left panel click Turn Windows features on or off.
  • Deselect Games / Internet Explorer 8 / Media Features / Tablet PC Components / Windows Gadget Platform / Windows Search / XPS Services / XPS Viewer.
  • Click OK to save settings and reboot to make changes.


Update Windows / Drivers

  • Run Windows Update to install the latest Windows patches.
  • Install all proper drivers for your hardware.


Power Profile

  • Open the Start-Menu and select Control Panel.
  • Open Power Options.
  • Select the High Performance plan and click change plan settings.
  • Click Change advanced power settings.
  • Navigate to Hard disk > Turn off hard disk after and change it to Never.
  • Click OK to save changes.


Speed Up Boot Time

  • WINKEY + R to bring up the run dialog.
  • Run msconfig to open the system configuration.
  • Navigate to the Boot tab.
  • Make sure No GUI boot is checked.
  • Set the Timeout to 3 seconds.
  • Click Apply and then OK to save the changes. Confirm the Restart.


Modify Services

  • Black Viper's Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations
    I typically follow the column entitled "Safe" and then peruse through the "Tweaked" column to see if there is anything else I can squeeze out. I also modify the following:
    — NVIDIA Display Driver Service: Disabled
    — Superfetch: Disabled


Folder Settings

  • WINKEY + E to open a new windows explorer window.
  • Navigate the menu to Tools > Folder options....
    Pressing ALT will bring up the menu if it is not visible.
  • Click on the View tab.
  • Make sure Hide extensions for known file types is unchecked.
  • Make sure Launch folder windows in a separate process is checked.
  • Make sure Use Sharing Wizard (Recommended) is unchecked.
  • Click Apply and then OK to save and exit.


Video Playback


Enable GodMode

  • Right-click the Desktop and select New > Folder.
  • Name the folder God Mode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}


Custom Themes


External Links