The first steps after installation

What do you do as the first steps after installing the OS?
Here's my first few steps:

(This is for my computer, if it was someone elses I'd likely not do much more than install all updates.)

1. Update everything, install all drivers and antivirus.
2. Disable windows firewall - I use a dedicated firewall, I want as much performance for my personal use as possible.
3. Set a fixed swap file equal to the amount of RAM (currently 4GB).
4. Disable UAC - It's MY computer, it should not annoy me. And if I get some crap, then I reinstall...
5. Set CD drives to the last drive letters (Y: and Z: currently). It's become a habit.
6. Install NKProds nCleaner, Auslogics disk defrag, Auslogics registry defrag - Cool stuff.
7. Use my computer.

I may have forgotten some steps here, I hope not. Anyways, I'm curious about what you do to keep your system as you like it, please contribute. :D


--- Disclaimer! ---
This is NOT a guide for getting extra performance, nor is it anything I suggest that you do on your own computer. I do NOT take any responsibility for trouble caused by following my suggestions here.
---

I assume some of what your listed would be subject to preference and risk tolerance.
-Set Menu, desktop, video and sound preferences.
-Restore backup data
-install all apps
-Post build cleanup, ccleaner, defrag, scandisk etc.
-when all is well, activate the MS products that need it

mike-cow said:

Disable UAE - It's MY computer, it should not annoy me.

Click to expand...

Hello Mike.

If you mean to say "UAC" it is a well known fact that disabling UAC slows down
the performance of Vista (that may annoy you more)!

I agree with your right to choose. Though you would find that after the initial install
period that you won't be 'bothered' by UAC very often.


Later Ted

Bare Foot Kid said:

mike-cow said:

Disable UAE - It's MY computer, it should not annoy me.

Click to expand...

Hello Mike.

If you mean to say "UAC" it is a well known fact that disabling UAC slows down
the performance of Vista (that may annoy you more)!

I agree with your right to choose. Though you would find that after the initial install
period that you won't be 'bothered' by UAC very often.


Later Ted

Click to expand...

You're quite right there, it may be a good idea to reactivate it when done with all the initial installations. I haven't really felt any performance degradation by disabling it though, I'll experiment a bit and see what happens.

well i cant say i do much to keep it maintained ...its pretty self sufficient

i run S&D & AVG once a month..... that's it!!
vista's great

Hello again, Mike.

You may want to have a look at the tutorials at the links below.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/131758-speed-up-computer-boot-time.html?ltr=S

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html?ltr=S

Keep us informed!



Later Ted

After the initial install, driver upgrade and update downloads I would backup the system. Then if you ever need to do a reinstall it will be alot quicker.