Tools

Below is a list of essential tools we’ll use through the Windows installation and optimization process. I also referenced some imo essential tools to have.

• DirectoryTools

  • DirectoryWindows_Installation

    • Rufus Make Bootable USB
    • VisualCppRedist AIO AIO Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes
  • DirectoryWindows_Tweaking

    • StartAllBack Tweak StartMenu/Taskbar/TrayIcons/Explorer
    • Windhawk Large collection of tweaks
    • OpenShell Classic Style Start Menu
    • LightBulb Fight Blue Light
    • EarTrumpet Enhance windows volume control
  • DirectoryDisk_File_Management

    • BleachBit Clean your System
    • TreeSize Find Space Hogs
    • Everything Locate Files Easily
    • KeepassXC Password Manager (Keepass Fork)
  • DirectorySystem_Information_Monitoring

    • LibreHardwareMonitor HardwareMonitor Fork
    • HWinfo
    • Speccy
  • DirectoryHardware_Testing

    • CPU-Z CPU Information
    • CrystalDiskInfo HDD/SSD Testing
    • Testmem5 RAM Stress testing
    • Memtest86 RAM diagnostics
  • DirectoryBrowsers

    • LibreWolf Firefox Based
    • Brave Chromium Based
    • Ungoogled-chromium Google Chromium Fork

Tools information

Rufus

Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Download: Rufus

Danger

Always double-check the selected drive to avoid data loss.

Caution

Ensure you select the correct partition type for your system.

Additional resources:

Text Tutorial: Create Win 11 Bootable USB Installwith Rufus @ElevenForum
Video Tutorial: How to Create a Bootable USB for Windows @Tech Decode

VisualCppRedist AIO

A collection of all Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes in a single installer

Download: VisualCppRedist AIO

Features:

• All-in-one installer for Visual all of C++ Runtimes
• Supports all major versions

StartAllBack

Tweaks for Start Menu, Taskbar, Tray Icons, and Explorer

Download: StartAllBack

Features:

• Extensive customization for Windows UI
• StartAllBack retains a modern style while making the UI clearer.

Note

⭐ Favorite option for start menu tweaking

Additional resources:

• Free Activation

Windhawk

The customization marketplace for Windows and programs

Download: Windhawk

Features:

• Easy To Use
• Various mods

OpenShell

Brings a classic style start menu to Windows 10 and 11

Download: OpenShell

Features:

• Customizable start menu
• Supports Windows 10 and 11

Note

Gives a familiar Windows 7-like experience.

Windows11Fixer

Windows 11 Fixer is a program designed to make customizing your Windows 11 as easy as possible

Download: Windows11Fixer

Features:

• Customize the look and feel of the taskbar
• Adjust the right-click context menu to your liking
• Adjust a large range of Windows settings, including plenty of privacy and security setting

Lightbulb

LightBulb is an application that reduces eyestrain produced by staring at a computer screen

Download: Lightbulb

Features:

• Minimal performance impact
• Works without internet connection
• Location-based & Manual sunrise and sunset times
• Smooth gamma transitions

EarTrumpet

An advanced volume control app for Windows

Download: EarTrumpet

Features:

• Per-application volume control
• Quick and easy access

Tip

Ideal for managing sound levels across multiple applications.

BleachBit

Clean up system clutter and reclaim space.

Download: BleachBit

Features:

• Open-source alternative to CCleaner

Danger

Be cautious with cleanup, don't blindly check every option.

TreeSize

Find large files and folders easily

Download: TreeSize

Features:

• Visualize disk space usage
• Identify large files and folders

Everything

A fast file locator for Windows

Download: Everything

Features:

• Way better than Windows Search
• Instant search results
• Minimal system resource usage

LibreHardwareMonitor

A fork of Open Hardware Monitor

Download: LibreHardwareMonitor

Features:

• Monitor hardware temperatures and performance
• Open-source

HWinfo

Comprehensive hardware analysis and monitoring

Download: HWinfo

Features:

• Detailed hardware information
• Real-time monitoring

Speccy

A system information tool by Piriform

Download: Speccy

Features:

• Quick and Complete system overview
• Shareable reports

Caution

Get the free version of Speccy and avoid installing anything else from Piriform💩

CPU-Z

Detailed CPU and hardware information

Download: CPU-Z

Features:

• Real-time CPU data
• CPU Testing

CrystalDiskInfo

Monitors HDD/SSD health and performance

Download: CrystalDiskInfo

Features:

• SMART status monitoring
• Temperature and health tracking

Tip

Make sure to download Standard Edition and avoid bs weeb editions

Testmem5

A RAM stress-testing utility

Download: Testmem5

Features:

• Thorough RAM testing
• Customizable testing profiles

Tip

Run for extended periods for better diagnostics.

Memtest86

RAM diagnostics tool

Download: Memtest86

Features:

• Bootable memory test
• Accurate error detection

Ungoogled-chromium

A lightweight approach to removing Google web service dependency

Download: Ungoogled-chromium

Features:

• Ungoogled-chromium is Google Chromium, sans dependency on Google web services
• Ungoogled-chromium retains the default Chromium experience as closely as possible
• Ungoogled-chromium features tweaks to enhance privacy, control, and transparency

LibreWolf

A custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

Download: LibreWolf

Features:

• No Telemetry
• Content Blocker Included
• Enhanced Privacy

Brave

The browser that puts you first

Download: Brave

Features:

• Inbuilt ad-blocker
• Cool left sidebar
• Some annoying features about brave wallets and some shit like that