Windows 7 Install Tips

Windows 7 Install the short version

If you don't have SP1 update, get it here. Install the original Windows if that is all you have and then apply the SP1 update yourself. It will save the hours of updating. Windows will have plenty of updating to do even after SP1.

System > Advanced System Settings
Turn off Animate
Maybe Turn off Aero Peek (not aero)
Turn off Fade
Turn off Save taskbar thumbnails

AMD Driver Auto Detect (I have had nVidea cards not detected by this but Windows eventually found a driver while Windows updating. Go figure.)
Intel Driver Update run in Internet Explorer

Do not use other third party driver updaters. Yes they tell you all your drivers are ancient and need updating. A bunch of scammers and yes they want money. You are better off finding your own drivers on the individual hardware manufacturer's sites.

Bulk edit start menu > left click Start Orb > right click All Programs go to Open All Users
If you have EaseUs and have deleted the start go to EaseUS\Todo Backup\bin\Loader.exe to start

Easeus > uninstall if you have your final image and you don't wish to have its services running.
I love DriveSnapshot but it is too difficult to restore.

Go to Ninite and get an installer for various programs.
Chrome, Essentials, 7 Zip, Launchy, Gimp, Irfanview, CutePDF, Everything, etc.