Cryptics n Code

Hi! *waves*

I'm not dead. :)

Note: I will be using this post like a scratchpad. Check back for updates - once I am finished I will break out into multiple, organized posts.

I just don't post much anymore.

Intro/Ramble

I'm doing a system conversion of Windows, not a particularly hard procedure, but I thought I'd document my procedure/findings.

I'm basically aiming to reboot windows clean every couple months or so (keep things clean and working well), however I have a large number or installs/setup to do every time, so this has been a pain in the past.

I think also by doing this it may make things easier for people in the future who need to setup a system clean.

I will post more details later, however the basic strategy goes like so:

Move all (large) files to external/internal secondary hard drive.
Run as much stuff off this secondary drive as possible.
Slipstream windows updates into install image.
Reinstall every couple months.

Steam makes this pretty simple for games - you can simply move your entire folder over to your new drive, and run steam again - it should find all your installed games for you.

However, I'm in the process of trying this out at the moment, so I will update once I have more specific instructions and/or success.

Basic Plan:

Backup to drive - mostly done
Slipstream ISO - done but didn't work?
Install & update - done
Reinstall/check programs - done
Script to help with most of this - not started

Tools:

One of the best tools when doing a migration are the ones which tell you where all your space is, so you can plan accordingly. I prefer SpaceSniffer, which can be found here:

http://www.uderzo.it/main_products/space_sniffer/download.html

Chrome:

Move, two junction points
Issues with reloading profile/cookies/etc.
Need to point icon at \Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe from %programfiles%
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/4409913?p=ui_automatic_settings_reset&rd=1

DirectX

web installer (for 9)
10?
11?
old versions?

Firefox

Problem points:
- AppData
Easy to backup, hard to 'put back'
- User docs & location
Easy to move, how to point to another directory by default?
- Program Files
Horrible name, horrible location - Registry hack to move
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
- Steam
Install to off drive area
- Development
Large, bulky tools, difficult to re-install
ISOs, chocolatey
- Browser data
Most of it lives in AppData, nice to just move by default
- User defaults & Settings
Registry export?
- Large folders with thousands of small files
Simple but difficult to effectively backup

Installation

Installing Windows, etc.

Preparation

Preparing images

Backup

Putting files in the right place(s).

Notes, Caveats, Bugs

Problems, hiccups, shortcomings