Pre-set up software install?


  1. artislee
    Posts : 39
    windows 10
       New #1

    Pre-set up software install?


    Hello, I have a new hp 15 laptop and I am tryin to find out if I can install a program before it goes through the initial windows setup?
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,009
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    Hi, unsure that I understand your question.
    it goes through the initial windows setup?
    - do you mean installing Windows on the PC or installing the program?

    If you want to test your program without impacting your PC's installation, then with build 1903 MS introduced a sandbox, so you could trial things then remove them with no changes made to your installation. Note the relevant build level quoted in the tutorial.

    Enable Windows Sandbox Feature in Windows 10 Home Edition
    Enable or Disable Windows Sandbox in Windows 10

    If you don't have that build and don't want to upgrade to it, then you can
    a. Create a disk image of Windows with e.g. Macrium Reflect + external disk
    b. Install your program (and make no other changes)
    c. Restore the image and your PC will be back exactly as it was.

    This forum constantly recommends the routine use of disk imaging.

    If you believe System Restore will in fact complete restoration successfully (it often doesn't) then enable that, create a restore point, install your program, then restore using the restore point you created.

    Those 3 ways should ensure you can test the program safely.
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  4. RickC
    Posts : 1,767
    Windows 10 Pro (+ Windows 10 Home VMs for testing)
       New #3

    artislee said:
    Hello, I have a new hp 15 laptop and I am tryin to find out if I can install a program before it goes through the initial windows setup?
    Yes, you can.

    During the initial installation, continue until you reach the Choose region screen. At that point press CTRL+SHIFT+F3 at the same time. This will dump you out of the OOBE (Out Of the Box Experience), log you in as the laptop's Administrator in Audit Mode at the Windows desktop. Ignore the Sysprep dialog on the desktop for now and install your program. When it's finished installing, click on the OK button on the Sysprep tool. This will take you back to the beginning of the OOBE process. Just continue the process as normal to create the first user account (which, by default, is a member of the Administrators group).

    Basically, it's similar to how people create reference images but without providing an answer file.

    For more info, have a look at Customize the initial Windows 10 installation.

    Hope this helps...
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  6. Ztruker
    Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       New #4

    artislee said:
    Hello, I have a new hp 15 laptop and I am tryin to find out if I can install a program before it goes through the initial windows setup?
    Mind if I ask why you want to do this? What are you gaining by doing so? Just curious.
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