To install software, you can create scripts, like:
Code:
start "" /wait "D:\Software\Temp\Setup\1.exe"
start "" /wait "D:\Software\Temp\Setup\2.exe"
start "" /wait "D:\Software\Temp\Soft\Windows Repair Toolbox\Downloads\PatchMyPc\PatchMyPC.exe"
PatchMyPC contains ~300 apps, it will download and install the latest versions.
I'd love to be able to backup my applications and data
and restore them onto a fresh system.
Software usually contains settings within .ini files or within registry. Ini files can be easily unpacked to their retrospective folders, like:
Code:
C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Wise Disk Cleaner\Config.ini
C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Process Hacker\settings.xml
As for registry, that it is a bit complicated, you would need to do it per app basis, like:
Code:
rem 7-zip
reg add "HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Compression" /v "Archiver" /t "REG_SZ" /d "7z" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Compression" /v "Level" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "9" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Compression\Options\7z" /v "Level" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "9" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Options" /v "CascadedMenu" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "1" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Options" /v "ContextMenu" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "263" /f
Most of the time I waste installing drivers, setting up some Windows settings and browser's extensions. I wish, sync would backup those as well.
Technically I could backup the whole browser's folder and it would work, but I prefer to clean install browser, just in case, there are hidden nasties.
Licences are problematic. They are created to prevent being easily copied, so activation might be needed, but also that depends, what software.
It will take some time to create, but once done, it will save you tons of time. I use those 2 files, then I apply my tweaks to finish it off.
Windows Setup 1 - Pastebin.com /
Windows Setup 2 - Pastebin.com
It took me years to figure out, how to backup taskbar icons and their location, but all I had to, was to simply backup those 2, lol:
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar