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2021-02-05

Setting up my Windows Environment

Here's everything I did when I recently re-installed Windows on my development machine. Mostly for my own reference but maybe useful to others.

Perform a fresh install of Windows 10 using the Windows 10 installation media creation tool. Run Windows Update and start downloading all updates. Sometimes this needs to be run multiple times before all updates are installed.

Uninstall distracting apps like Solitaire and anything else that's not useful.

Install Firefox. Login to Sync. Supposedly Firefox Sync should bring over your bookmarks, extensions, history, etc, but this didn't seem to work last time I tried. Make Firefox the default browser when prompted. Install extensions: 1 Password - Password Manager (make sure it's this one and not the version dependent on a Desktop install), uBlock Origin, Vimium - FF. In Settings, set 'Always ask where to save files', set 'Home page and new windows' and 'New tabs' to 'Blank Page', and turn off all 'Search Suggestions' and 'Address Bar Suggestions'.

Install ShutUp10 from O&O Software. Apply the recommended settings.

Install Cold Turkey. Install the various browser extensions when supported. Import the usual block lists and configure them. Unlock the full version with the license key.

Install Visual Studio Code. And enable Settings Sync. This is a beta feature but seems to work well. Install git. Set the usual aliases.

Install Dropbox.

Install WSL 2 with Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Install Windows Terminal. Install Powershell 7. Install scoop and Chocolatey.

Install starship and Cascadia Code.

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