Download windows image from here
first method (as of '25) from this thread
- after selecting keeb layout, press
Shift+F10& typeOOBE\BYPASSNRO- note it's not right after you've first booted from the USB; first the setup will have to copy the files to our installation drive, only after the first (couple) reboots we can do this step;
- actually unsure whether this is needed... looks like this bypass can be launched at the very beginning?
- type
start ms-cxh:localonly - this pulls up local user creation form
- instead, try: (requires Pro version!)
- choose
work or school account - select
sign-in optionswhere is opt todomain-join this device instead
- choose
- after selecting keeb layout, press
Shift+F10& typeOOBE\BYPASSNRO- note it's not right after you've first booted from the USB; first the setup will have to copy the files to our installation drive, only after the first (couple) reboots we can do this step;
- don't forget to unplug eth cable!
- as of 2025: this reddit post claims this feature is removed
-
download
install_win.batand run as admin (ie right click -> admin); note it's important to just download the file instead of git clone - otherwise the linefeeds might be hecked up; so just pull the file and remove it afterwards; later on you can run it from now-pulledwin_dots/(ie this repo). -
if git clone is giving you error:
remote: HTTP Basic: Access denied fatal: Authentication failed forthen you've likely changed your windows/GroupAD password, and that needs to be updated in Windows Credential Manager
- activate using massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts
- declutter/debloat using ChrisTitusTech/winutil
- import our settings from
winutil-settings.jsonfile in this repo - alternative debloater tool: builtbybel/BloatyNosy
- okayish reddit thread on the debloating subject
- import our settings from
- run
dotter.exe deploy --forcefrom win_dots/dotter (--force to overwrite existing files)
To execute programs/script as root/admin on startup (from here):
- see root_startup/
Instructions taken mainly from MS WSL2 installation guide
- open posh in admin mode and run
wsl --install -d Debian
- prompt will ask you to reboot the system
- this command can be re-ran to install other distros
- follow this MS best practices for setup
sudo apt-get --allow-releaseinfo-change updatesudo apt-get upgrade --without-new-pkgssudo apt-get dist-upgradesudo apt-get install ca-certificates openssh-client- follow instructions from /dotfiles:
wget ...raw//wanted-branch/...install_system.sh- (likely last step, confirm):
./install_system <mode>
- other useful tips:
- basic WSL commands
- windows terminal setup/config
- maybe check this SO question for vcxsrv usage under wsl2
- another useful vcxsrv thread
- to see list of available distors, run
wsl --list --online - to see list of installed distros, run
wsl -l -v - to set default linux distro used w/
wslcommand, runwsl --setdefault Debian; now runningwsl npm initwill runnpm initin debian; - note as of WSL2 it's possible to run GUI programs without vcxsrv and the
likes: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/tutorials/gui-apps#run-linux-gui-apps
- this feature uses
WSLg; - looks like WSLg ships Weston w/ a built-in window manager that can't be replaced, meaning no full desktop experience like i3;
- however this gh comment suggests running nested xserver (Xephyr), which sort of works;
- troubleshooting issues w/ WSLg
- this feature uses
- WSL doesn't support systemd; if it's really needed, see here
- setup for starting win manager/forwarding x11
- potentially useful xserver-related topics:
- importing jdk cert to jdk in posh:
.\keytool.exe -import -alias "my cert alias" -keystore C:\tools\cygwin\home\laur89\.sdkman\candidates\java\8.0.181-zulu\jre\lib\security\cacerts -file C:\tools\cygwin\mycert.crt(didn't work from cygwin like:$JAVA_HOME/bin/keytool -import -file cert.crt -keystore C:\tools\cygwin\home\laliste\.sdkman\candidates\java\8.0.181-zulu\jre\lib\security\cacerts -alias "my cert alias") - to hide a local drive from windows, see this SO answer;
same info is also included in this makeuseof article
- actually what I did was simply right click -> 'disable' in Device Manager
- if you see
PCI Memory Controllerand/orSM Bus Controllerdriver issues under Control Panel (as described in this reddit thread), you likely need to install Intel Chipset INF Utility; ofc this assumes you're on Intel chipset. - for gaming, avoid windows
Nversions; otherwise you'll see many errors with games that will require you to install missing components; eg if launching a game you're greeted w/Please reinstall the program - DSOUND.dllerror/message, you need to install "media feature pack":-> settings -> apps -> optional features -> add an optional feature - view features -> meadia feature pack.