DON'T Install WINDOWS Without Watching This FIRST!

Summary

This video explains how to create a streamlined and de-bloated Windows installation using an answer file. By adding an answer file to a Windows ISO, you can customize various settings, remove bloatware, and enhance performance. The process involves downloading the official Windows ISO, creating the answer file with preferred settings, and integrating it into the installation media. The video demonstrates how this setup results in a cleaner, faster, and more privacy-focused Windows experience, saving time on every fresh install. Additionally, it provides resources and tips for further customization.

Takeaways

• 😃 A clean Windows install using an official ISO can be customized to be free of pre-installed apps and have a lower process count.
• 🔧 Microsoft allows the use of answer files to modify Windows settings during the setup process, enhancing customization and efficiency.
• 🛠 Answer files are safe as they allow for transparent inspection of changes before they are applied to the Windows image.
• 📚 No need to download custom ISOs from unofficial sources; answer files can be added to the official Windows ISOs.
• 🏢 Answer files are an official Microsoft feature, commonly used for mass deployments in corporate environments.
• 🌐 A website is mentioned to generate an unattended answer file with a variety of settings and tweaks available.
• 🔄 The shared answer file automates tweaks from projects like Chris Titus Tech and Tiny 11, working for both Windows 10 and 11 Pro versions.
• 🚫 The creator's goal is to provide an experience similar to LTSC without needing an LTSC license, and to improve the Windows 11 experience post-Windows 10 support.
• ✂️ The answer file removes bloatware and customizes settings, requiring no additional scripts or programs post-installation.
• 🛑 The file provided is a starting point and can be edited to include or exclude specific tweaks according to user preference.
• 🔄 The UnattendedWinstall GitHub page offers the autounattend.xml file for download to be used with Windows installation media.
• 🔧 Multiple methods are described to include the answer file with the Windows installation media, including using AnyBurn to create a custom ISO.
• 💻 The script execution process is detailed, explaining the phases where different settings and tweaks are applied.
• 🛡️ The final installation provides a customized Windows experience with many default settings disabled, offering a blank canvas for users to personalize.
• 🖥️ For users uncomfortable with the extensive customization, the script leaves the option to manually add back features or use the provided utility for Internet access and further setup.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using answer files or unattended files in Windows installation?

The main purpose is to modify various Windows settings during the setup process to create a streamlined, customized, and bloat-free Windows installation.

How do answer files benefit users compared to stock Windows installations?

Answer files can remove pre-installed bloatware, disable unnecessary features, and optimize system performance, making Windows faster and more responsive.

What tools can be used to create Windows installation media with answer files?

Tools like Rufus and AnyBurn can be used to create Windows installation media with answer files.

Why is it preferable to use official Windows ISO files from Microsoft with answer files?

Using official ISO files ensures the installation is safe, secure, and free from potential malware that might come with unofficial sources.

What is the role of the 'specialized phase' during the Windows setup process?

The specialized phase is where most of the customizations and tweaks defined in the answer file are applied, such as de-bloating Windows and running specific PowerShell scripts.

Can users customize the provided answer file to suit their own preferences?

Yes, users can edit the answer file to remove unwanted tweaks or add new customizations according to their needs.

What should users do if they face difficulties editing the answer file?

Users can use a code editor with AI capabilities, such as Cursor, to assist in editing the answer file by providing suggestions and highlighting relevant entries.

What is the recommended method to include the answer file in the Windows installation media?

The answer file can be included by copying it to the root of a bootable USB drive created with tools like the media creation tool from Microsoft or Rufus.

What steps should users follow to install Windows using a custom ISO file with the answer file embedded?

Users need to download a Windows ISO file, edit it with AnyBurn to include the answer file, create a bootable USB flash drive with the modified ISO, and then proceed with the installation.

How does the answer file affect the privacy settings and overall performance of Windows?

The answer file disables many privacy-invasive settings and unnecessary background processes, leading to a more secure and efficient Windows installation.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Customizing Windows Installation with Answer Files

This paragraph introduces a method to customize a Windows installation by using official ISO files and answer files to modify settings. It explains that a clean install can be achieved without bloatware, with fewer processes running, and with all privacy settings disabled. The speaker shares their experience and provides a guide on how to use answer files, which are safe as they allow for transparent inspection of changes and do not require unofficial downloads. The paragraph also mentions the use of Rufus and a website for generating unattended answer files, and the speaker's own answer file that automates tweaks from projects like Chris Titus Tech Windows utility and Tiny 11.

05:02

🛠 Methods for Integrating Answer Files into Windows Installation

The second paragraph outlines two methods for incorporating answer files into the Windows installation process. The first method involves creating a bootable USB with the Windows installation files and then copying the answer file to the root of the USB. The second method describes how to create a custom Windows ISO with the answer file embedded using AnyBurn software. The paragraph also provides a step-by-step guide on installing Windows using these methods, including the automated execution of scripts during the Windows pre-installation environment and specialized phase, which apply the desired tweaks and settings.

10:03

🔧 Post-Installation Customization and Utility Usage

The final paragraph discusses post-installation steps for a customized Windows experience. It mentions the absence of a browser and the need to connect to the Internet to download necessary applications. The speaker provides a utility, 'Launch CTT WinUtil,' to facilitate the downloading of a preferred browser and other applications. The paragraph also touches on the possibility of further customizing the answer file using a code editor and the AI capabilities of Cursor, an editor with built-in AI assistance. The speaker concludes by expressing hope that the video was valuable and invites feedback in the comments section.

Keywords

💡Clean install

A clean install refers to the process of completely erasing all data and applications from a computer and installing a new operating system from scratch. In the context of the video, a clean install of Windows 10 or 11 is performed using the official ISO file from Microsoft, resulting in a system without any pre-installed bloatware or unnecessary applications, which contributes to a faster and more responsive user experience.

💡Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft, which is often pre-installed on new Windows installations. The video script mentions the absence of Microsoft Edge in a clean install, implying that the resulting system is free from default applications that some users may consider unnecessary or 'bloatware'.

💡OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft, typically pre-installed on Windows systems for users to sync and store their files. The script indicates that a clean install would not include OneDrive, which is part of the strategy to create a minimalist Windows environment.

💡Bloatware

Bloatware refers to the pre-installed software that comes with a device, often unnecessary for the user and consuming system resources. The video discusses the removal of bloatware apps like widgets and Copilot, aiming for a leaner, more efficient Windows installation.

💡Task Manager

Task Manager is a system utility in Windows that provides a detailed view of running applications and background services. The script mentions checking the Task Manager for a lower process count as an indicator of a cleaner, more efficient Windows installation.

💡Privacy settings

Privacy settings in Windows allow users to control how their data is collected and used by the operating system. The video emphasizes that in a clean install, these settings are all disabled by default, providing a more private and secure system out of the box.

💡Answer file

An answer file is a script used to automate the Windows setup process by pre-configuring system settings. The video explains that answer files can modify various Windows settings during installation, allowing for a customized and streamlined setup experience without manual intervention.

💡Unattended file

An unattended file, synonymous with an answer file, is used to automate the Windows installation process. The script describes using unattended files to execute commands during different phases of the Windows setup, enabling a customized and efficient installation.

💡Rufus

Rufus is a utility used for creating bootable USB drives. The video mentions Rufus as an example of a tool that can be used to create Windows installation media, and it also cautions against using certain Rufus features that might conflict with custom answer files.

💡Windows ISO file

A Windows ISO file is a disk image file containing the entire contents of a Windows installation disc. The script discusses adding answer files to the official Windows 10 or 11 ISO files to customize the installation process, ensuring the use of genuine Microsoft sources.

💡Customization

Customization refers to the process of tailoring a system or application to meet specific user preferences or requirements. The video's main theme revolves around customizing Windows installations using answer files to create a lean, efficient, and privacy-focused operating system.

Highlights

Performing a clean install of Windows 10 or 11 using the official ISO file results in a desktop without pre-installed apps like Microsoft Edge or OneDrive.

A clean Windows install has a lower process count compared to a stock install, offering a fast and responsive system.

Microsoft allows the use of answer files to modify Windows settings during the setup process.

Answer files are safe as they allow inspection of changes before execution and do not require unofficial ISOs.

Answer files are an official Microsoft feature, aiding in mass deployments like in corporate environments.

A website is available to generate custom unattended answer files with various settings and tweaks.

The presenter shares a personal answer file automating tweaks from projects like Chris Titus Tech Windows utility.

The shared answer file works for both Windows 10 and 11, tested on Pro versions without issues.

The goal is to achieve an LTSC-like experience without needing an LTSC license for Pro and Home versions.

The answer file automates setup, removing the need to run multiple programs and scripts post-installation.

The provided answer file is a base that can be edited to include or remove tweaks as desired.

No support is provided for changes made to the answer file by users.

The UnattendedWinstall GitHub page provides the autounattend.xml file for download.

The answer file can be included in a Windows installation USB or embedded in a custom ISO file.

AnyBurn software can be used to create a custom Windows ISO with an embedded answer file.

The Windows pre-installation environment executes commands from the answer file to remove system requirements.

The specialized phase of the script executes most of the tweaks and registry entries for a customized Windows experience.

The OOBE phase of the script prompts for local account creation and runs final tweaks for the user profile.

The final Windows installation is a customized version with many default settings disabled.

Users can treat the installation as a blank canvas or edit the answer file to customize their Windows experience.

Cursor code editor with AI assistance is recommended for editing the answer file for those inexperienced with scripts.

After installation, the Chris Titus Tech Windows utility can be used to download a browser and other necessary programs.

The presenter plans to add more tweaks to the answer file and welcomes feedback and suggestions.

Transcripts

Imagine you do a clean install of Windows using the official Windows 10 or 11 ISO file

from Microsoft and once you get to the desktop it looks like this.

There's no Microsoft Edge or OneDrive, no pre-installed bloatware apps like the widgets

or Copilot for example, and the start menu is clean.

On top of that, if you open the Task Manager and look at the process count, it's also

way lower than a stock Windows install.

And then, when you look at the privacy settings, it's all disabled and Windows is just fast,

smooth and really responsive without you even having to do anything to get it to that point.

So you might be wondering how that's even possible.

Well, listen up and don't skip through this video because I'll show you exactly how you

can do it too.

Microsoft allows you to add answer files or unattended files to Windows images or also

called Windows ISO files.

Now these answer files can be used to modify various Windows settings in the Windows image

and they are executed during different phases in the Windows setup process.

So if you've ever used Rufus to create Windows installation media and you saw this screen

with these options like remove the Windows 11 hardware requirements and disable privacy

questions and so on, they achieve that by including an answer file in the installation

media that executes those commands during the Windows setup.

In my opinion, the best thing about an answer file is that it's very safe.

First of all, you can see every single change it's going to make to the Windows image by

inspecting the answer file.

There's also no need to download custom ISO files from unofficial sources because you

insert it on the official Windows 10 or 11 ISO file that you download directly from Microsoft.

And then lastly, it's also not dependent on any third party tools and it's an official

Microsoft feature that's normally used to make mass Windows deployments easier, like

in corporate environments for example.

Now you can create your own answer file with the customized Windows settings you want and

this is one of the best places you can do it at.

You can use this website here to generate an unattended answer file and as you can see

there are a lot of settings and tweaks to choose from.

Once you've selected your preferred tweaks and settings, you can just download the XML

file and then add it to your Windows installation media and I'll show you exactly how you can

do that later on in the video.

Now I've created my own answer file that I've started using to automate and streamline my

Windows installs and that's what I want to share here with you.

It basically automates a lot of the tweaks and scripts created by projects like the Chris Titus

Tech Windows utility and Tiny 11 for example.

The answer file works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and I've tested it on the Pro version

of Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2 without any issues.

My motivation for this project is to get an LTSC-like or even better experience on the

Pro and Home versions of Windows 10 and 11 without having to worry about getting an LTSC

license.

Also, I have to start looking at making Windows 11 better since Microsoft announced that they

won't be supporting Windows 10 anymore starting late 2025 and I hate the stock Windows 11.

Now the answer file automates many parts of the Windows setup and saves me a ton of time

because I don't have to run a bunch of programs and scripts every time I do a fresh install

of Windows.

It's already de-bloated and customized with my preferred settings as soon as I get to

the desktop.

Now look, it would be impossible for me to create a single answer file that'll please

everyone, so instead I'm supplying you with one that basically removes everything except

Windows security and is over tweaked if you will, so you can just edit the file and remove

the tweaks you don't want.

Additionally, you can also add more tweaks or customizations if you have the know-how,

but please note that I'll not provide any form of support for any changes you make to

the file.

So, you're probably wondering how to get it and how to use it, so let me show you.

You need to go to the UnattendedWinstall GitHub page and I'll leave a link to that in

the description of the video.

Now once you're here, you need to find this autounattend.xml file and then click on it.

It'll open this page here where you can inspect the file, but you need to download it and

you can do that by clicking on this little arrow over here.

That's the download button.

It'll download the file and save it on your computer.

Next, you need to include this auto unattended answer file on your Windows installation media

so it can be read and executed during the Windows setup.

Now I'm going to show you a few ways to do it and if you need any help with something

I mention in this next section of the video, I'll leave some of my guides on these topics

in the description of this video so you can go ahead and check out those videos if you're

unsure on how to do any of these things that I mention here.

Now the first method is to create a bootable Windows installation USB first and then just

copy the answer file to the USB drive.

So you'll need to create a Windows 10 or 11 bootable installation USB drive and you can

do that with the media creation tool from Microsoft or Rufus for example.

But please note, when you're using Rufus, don't select any of these checkboxes in the

customize your Windows experience window you see here as it creates another answer file

and we don't want that because we already have an answer file.

Now once you've created the Windows installation USB, you can just copy the autounattend

XML answer file to the root of the USB drive.

Next, just boot from the USB drive, do a clean install of Windows as normal and the scripts

will run automatically.

Now for method two, you can create a custom Windows ISO file with the answer file embedded

into it.

So to do that, download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 ISO file depending on the version

you want.

Then next, download and install AnyBurn.

Once that's done, in AnyBurn, select the edit image file option and then navigate to and

select the official Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier.

Click on the add button up here and then select the answer file you downloaded earlier or

Alternatively, you can just click and drag the answer file into the AnyBurn window.

You should then see it included as part of the files on the Windows ISO file.

Now just click on next and then click on create now and then you should be prompted to overwrite

the ISO file.

Just click on yes and then once that's complete, you can just close AnyBurn.

Now you can use this ISO file to install Windows on a virtual machine or you can use a program

like a Ventoy to create a bootable USB flash drive and then just copy the edited Windows

ISO file onto it.

Then you can boot from the Windows installation USB, do a clean install of Windows as normal

and the scripts will run automatically.

Now as an example, I'll be installing Windows 11 23H2 on a virtual machine and take you

through each part of the script as it executes.

So once you boot from the Windows installation media, before you get to the first setup screen,

you should notice some command prompt Windows flashing briefly and then closing.

This part of the installation is called the Windows pre-installed environment and the

commands that were executed there are these commands which removes the Windows 11 system

requirements.

From here, you can go through all of the normal installation prompts like you always do, select

the drive where you want to install Windows and then just start the installation.

Once the initial part of the Windows installation is complete, your computer will restart and

then it enters into the specialized phase.

Now you'll see a bunch of PowerShell and command prompt Windows appear and disappear and you

just need to leave the computer to finish executing these scripts.

Now the specialized phase is this part of the script and this is where most of the changes

and tweaks are executed in my version of the answer file.

These tweaks include a bunch of registry entries being created and PowerShell scripts being

run including some of the Chris Titus Tech Windows utility scripts that de-bloats Windows

and removes a lot of these apps and also lowers the process count in Windows.

Now you can read through the answer file to see exactly what's being executed, but basically

these run synchronous commands that you see here, they reference scripts that are located

further down in the answer file.

After this phase, your computer will restart again and then you'll be taken to the onboarding

experience.

This is also called the out of box experience or OOBE and it's this part of the script here.

Now this is also straightforward and you need to go through all of the usual prompts and

select your preferred settings, but you will be prompted to create a local account.

You won't be able to log in with a Microsoft account here and I don't recommend that you

use a Microsoft account anyway, but once you get to the desktop, it should take a few seconds

and then you should see another window appear running a bunch of tweaks and then your computer

will restart again.

Those are the last commands that will run from the answer file and it just modifies

the registry for the current user profile to ensure that all the values are properly

set.

I had to include this as some of the registry values that are created for the default user

profile during the specialized phase are changed or reset when loading into a new user profile.

So this just ensures that all of the registry values for the current user are correctly

And this part of the script will also run once every time you create a new user account

on the computer.

Now finally, you'll be able to use this custom version of Windows.

So as you can see, this answer file basically strips out everything from Windows and a lot

of the Windows settings are disabled by default.

I understand how this can be a bit too much for some people, but the way I see it is that

you have two options.

You can treat this installation like a blank canvas and just download and install what

you need back into Windows.

Or you can download a code editor like VS code, notepad plus plus or my favorite Cursor

to edit the answer file before including it in your installation media.

So the reason I like using cursor is because it has AI built in and I found it really helpful

during the creation of this file, as I really don't have a lot of experience with scripts

and programming.

So if you want to edit the answer file, I suggest using cursor and then you can press

Ctrl and F to search for a specific term.

Like let's say you wanted to add notepad back into Windows, for example, then you can just

search for notepad and remove any entries related to notepad and save the file again.

Alternatively, you can press Ctrl and L or click on this icon up here to open the AI

chat, change it to GPT-4o or whatever is the latest GPT version, and then just ask it a

question.

For example, you can ask it something like, show me all of the entries related to notepad

or help me add notepad back into the Windows installation and the AI will help you figure

it out and show you how to get it done.

And in that way, you can customize the file to your liking.

Then once you're happy, you can just save it and include it in your Windows installation

media like I explained earlier.

Now back to the Windows installation.

Due to the fact that there is no browser installed, you'll have some trouble browsing the Internet.

So first, make sure you're connected to the Internet.

Then right click on this file on the desktop called Launch CTT WinUtil and then click on

run with PowerShell.

This will automatically launch the Chris Titus Tech Windows utility and then you can use it to

download your browser of choice, even Edge if you want that and any other program that

you might need for that matter.

Now once you're done with the utility, you have the option to delete this file from the

desktop or you can just keep it there for easy access.

That's up to you.

Now this answer file is not perfect by any means, but it does what I needed to do and

saves me a lot of time during my Windows installs.

I'm also planning on adding more tweaks to it as time goes on and if you have any feedback

or suggestions for me, please feel free to leave them in the comments down below.

But with that being said, I really hope you got some value out of this video.

Please remember to give it a like and I'll talk to you guys soon.