As a developer, what changes do you make to a vanilla Windows install?

Question

When I get a vanilla Windows system, there\'s a bunch of stuff I change to make it more developer-friendly.

Some of it I remember every time, other stuff I only do as an

Answer 1

Regarding:

• Show extensions of all file types
• Make hidden and system file visible

I don't like making hidden files visible all the time (it makes two desktop.ini visible on my windows Vista desktop for starters) so I use an explorer extension to make it easy to toggle this on and off. There's also a corresponding one for file extensions:

• HiddenFilesToggle Context-Menu Shell Extension
• FileExtensionToggle Context-Menu Shell Extension

Answer 2

Someone gave me a 'Delete all SVN folders' registry script - that is a must have for me, now (it's somewhere on this thread).

I leave UAC on - last thing I want is to write code that works with UAC off, but fails miserably with it on. Before I started to use Virtual PC to set up test environments for my code, I tried to leave my desktop as 'vanilla' as possible - I wanted to test under conditions reasonably similar to an everyday non-developer user.

All of the above is for my home development system. I try to do the same at work, within reason. Except for the SVN stuff, because we use TFS at my office.

Answer 3

• Install Consolas font and turn on (and tune) ClearType.
• Install ZoomIt to magnify display during presentations.
• Install FireFox/Firebug
• Install XYplorer Win Explorer alternative (can't live without it!)
• Install DeskPins to be able to make any Window temporarily topmost.
• Make sure OneNote got installed with Office.
• Install Visio.
• Install favorite editor (whatever it is at the time, currently SCiTE).
• Install 7Zip.
• Fix Windows colors to suit me and put picture of RatPack (Dean's my hero) as wallpaper.

Answer 4

Command line scripts

For storing scripts that I use from the command line I create a Command Line Scripts directory under Program Files and add it to the PATH environment variable. I use the following batch file for listing and editing those scripts:

@echo off
setlocal

set UTILPATH=C:\Program Files\System Tools\Command Line Utilities

if not "x%1"=="x" (

start "" "notepad" "%UTILPATH%\%1.bat"

) else (

dir /b "%UTILPATH%" | grep -v com.bat | grep -P "(exe|bat|cmd)" | sed "s/\.\(exe\|bat\|cmd\)//"
echo.

)

(note that the filtering of the directory listing depends on some unix commands I have installed via Cygwin)

I give it the name com.bat, (short for command) then I can:

• list the scripts in that directory by typing com at the command prompt
• edit any script in the list by typing com script-name at the command prompt*, similarly:
• create new scripts in that directory by typeing com new-script-name at the command prompt*
• and if I ever need to edit com.bat I just type com com

* As I'm running Vista I have to use an elevated command prompt as directories under Program Files are protected. For a quick way to launch an elevated command prompt, simply press the Win key; type cmd; press Ctrl+Shift+Enter; and then hit Alt+C to confirm the elevation prompt. Six keystrokes to an elevated command prompt! ([via][4])

Startup Script

One of the scripts I store in my Command Line Scripts directory is a script that is run when I log in to windows (via the Task Scheduler, type Task in the Vista start menu). I use that script to set up several virtual drives using the subst command to directories I access frequently or want a quick way to access on the command prompt or for shortening path names in compiler warnings, logs or debug output.

My Startup script looks something like this:

@setlocal
@set _MYDOCS_=%USERPROFILE%\Documents

@REM Note: first delete the drives so I can run script again
@REM       to fix drives that failed to get mapped

subst /d W:
subst /d T:
subst /d S:
subst /d R:
subst /d N:
subst /d L:
subst /d H:
subst W: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\SVN Working Copy\Website\trunk\www"
subst T: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\SVN Working Copy\project 1\trunk"
subst S: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\SVN Working Copy"
subst R: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\SVN Working Copy\project 2\branches\12.50"
subst N: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\SVN Working Copy\project 2\trunk"
subst L: "%_MYDOCS_%\Work\"
subst H: "%_MYDOCS_%\My Projects\Haslers.info\Working Copy"

Note that subst can be a little temperamental and occasionally the drives don't get created and I have to run the startup script again manually.

Answer 5

• Install the full IIS.
• Set the resolution high enough.
• Set the background to Grey.
• Show hidden and system files.
• Toolbar 2 or 3 high (I run one monitor sideways).
• Always show file extentions.

Answer 6

Wow, this is a really good thread... I'm going to have to go through all the suggestions and see what I'm mission out on :)

Off the bat, I install:

• Google Chrome
• Visual Studio 2008
• aShampoo CD Burning suite (or whatever my current favorite burning suite is)
• IZArc (or whatever my current favorite is)
• RocketDock - I use it to replace Quick Launch.
• Songbird

When I used XP (I'm on Vista now) I'd always install Tweak UI and tweak everything to my liking. Like listing My Computer before My Documents. I remove the Help icon from the start menu. I make it so Network Neighborhood was displayed in the start menu. I have it show file extensions and show hidden files/folders.