โ
1. Activate Windows
If Windows is not activated, open PowerShell as Administrator and run this command:
irm https://get.activated.win | iex
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2. Debloat Windows
Option 1 - For Existing Windows Installations:
Win-Debloat-Tools: A set of scripts and tools to debloat and optimize Windows by removing unnecessary services, apps, and features.
Download Win-Debloat-Tools
Option 2 - For Fresh Windows Installations:
UnattendedWinstall: Create custom Windows installation media that comes pre-debloated, eliminating the need for post-installation debloating tools.
Features include:
Creates customized Windows ISO with built-in debloating
Bypasses Windows 11 system requirements
Removes preinstalled bloatware during installation
Optimizes privacy settings and registry
Configures Windows services for better performance
Enables Ultimate Performance power plan
Note: Using UnattendedWinstall to create your Windows installation media means you won't need to use debloating tools after installation, as the system comes optimized from the start.
Download UnattendedWinstall
3. System Hardening
Windows Hardening Tools:
Harden-Windows-Security: Comprehensive Windows hardening using official Microsoft methods.
Features:
Microsoft Security Baselines
Attack Surface Reduction rules
BitLocker configuration
Windows Defender optimization
Network security hardening
And many more security configurations
Get Harden-Windows-Security
Windows Defender Management:
DefenderUI: User-friendly interface to manage and harden Windows Defender settings.
Features:
Easy configuration of security settings
Real-time protection management
Firewall rules configuration
Security policies management
Download DefenderUI
4. DNS Filtering
Cloud DNS Services:
AdGuard DNS: Free DNS service with ad blocking and security filtering.
DNS Servers:
Default: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15
Family Protection: 94.140.14.15 and 94.140.15.16
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1: Fast and private DNS with optional malware blocking.
DNS Servers:
Standard: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
Malware Blocking: 1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2
Family: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3
Control D: Free DNS service with customizable filtering.
DNS Servers:
Unfiltered: 76.76.2.0 and 76.76.10.0
Malware Blocking: 76.76.2.1
Ads & Malware Blocking: 76.76.2.2
Family Filter: 76.76.2.3
Quad9: Security-focused DNS service that blocks malicious domains.
DNS Servers: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
Browser Extensions:
5. Patching & Remote Management
Patching Solutions:
0patch: A security patch management tool that applies patches for vulnerabilities before they are officially fixed by Microsoft.
Download 0patch
PatchMyPC: Free updater for common third-party software. Supports silent installation and automatic updates for many popular applications.
Download PatchMyPC Home Updater
UniGetUI: Free graphical interface that unifies Windows package managers (WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop, Pip, and more) into one dashboard. Browse, install, update, and uninstall software across all of them at once โ with bulk updates in a single click.
Download UniGetUI
Remote Management:
Pulseway: A remote monitoring and management tool with mobile apps and automated patch management.
Download Pulseway
Action1: Alternative remote management platform with patch management and software deployment capabilities.
Download Action1
6. Other Software via Ninite
Ninite is a great way to quickly install essential applications on a fresh Windows system:
Download Ninite Installer
Summary of Tools in the Ninite Installer:
7zip: A file archiver for managing compressed files
Brave: A privacy-focused web browser
Chrome: Another popular browser for web browsing
Discord: A communication tool for chat and voice
Notepad++: A powerful text editor for coding and general text editing
PuTTY: A tool for SSH and remote connection management
Steam: A digital distribution platform for games and software
VLC: A media player that supports all major formats
WinSCP: A secure file transfer client for SFTP, SCP, FTP
WizTree: A disk space analyzer to find large files and clean up your disk