Windows 8.1 HTPC Bare bone Strip out

Hi all,

Currently I am putting together an HTPC Media PC running windows 8.1 and using Kodi v14 as as my main media streamer, it will also run as a torrent box. 

Im also trying to strip windows 8.1 down to basically nothing. i was just wondering what i can remove to have it still run perfectly. what im trying to keep in is as follows:

The Modern UI
Aero
Internet services Wireless and Hard wire
Audio
Video
Mouse
Keyboard
latest updates including security 
English Language


the applications that my HTPC will be running (at least all i think it will be running)

Kodi Media Service
uTorrent
Apples Bonjour Service
Remote Mouse
Google Chrome
Teamviewer



if any can please help me out with what can be removed i will be for ever grateful =)

Kind Regards
SangheiliDragon

Hello and welcome,

I'm working on something similar which will help you reduce Windows as small as possible, and which use Kodi as a shell replacement !

I will need feedback especially about all network and sharing stuffs, so if you are interested it could be possible to test a preliminary WCCF (potentially unstable) !

I think that KrX will also be interested ...

winterstorm2050 wrote:

Hello and welcome,

I'm working on something similar which will help you reduce Windows as small as possible, and which use Kodi as a shell replacement !

I will need feedback especially about all network and sharing stuffs, so if you are interested it could be possible to test a preliminary WCCF (potentially unstable) !

I think that KrX will also be interested ...

Ah that sounds excellent =)

I have been running a full version of win 8.1 on my HTPc but the mSata card keeps getting full as ive only chosen to use a 32gb drive.

also if its possiblle ill also need to run MySQL Server standalone on it.
I will keeping doing my research and get back to you with what i work out.

sure im interested 

new software = count me in
new version = count me in
do some tests = count me in
bug testing = count me in



@SangheiliDragon

i think you can remove all language and keyboard + fonts (exept english)
i think winreducer 8++ has got presets for mediaplayer and center ?

i also think all accessouris and drivers + net framework and the other optimazation components can be removed (maybe not the EXPERT once *should be tested*)

if you add your own drivers you can remove all drivers (exept the HD Audio *i get sometimes problems with the volume bar*)

Hey,

I like your enthusiasm KrX ...   

So, what I could propose is to create a new forum dedicated to this new software, move this post to the new forum ...

And I will create tomorrow a new WCCF to test it with your Kodi Computer and report what is not working ... what do you think about that ?

i would test it ;P

but i need to do first some research, and i could start testing from sunday or monday

Yes, sounds excellent ...

ive created an iso file that i think is pretty stripped out (untested as of now) will let you know how it goes later on.

@ winterstorm2050

if you create a preliminary WCCF im more than keen to test it (no mater how unstable)

hey i tested it on my windows 7 (removed more than 90% what winreducer offers + my batch files)

and its working so far

webserver option also works

i didnt test so far upnp

here is the wccf file:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Hey

Excellent work KrX !

This is exactly what I would like to propose ...

The only needed file, I discovered, was : "Wlanapi.dll" from "Services - Wlan Service" !

It will be easily protected in "WinReducer for Kodi".

Hey ya,
Brilliant work KrX will be taking a look later on tonight. 
Thanks a bunch =)

also am currently getting together a sable version for Windows 8.1 x64 which i should have done shortly and will upload =)

Hey all,

OK so I've been working on a Windows 8.1 x64 build and i think i may have it worked out.


Good Notes.

• I have managed to reduce the .ISO down to about 2GB
  
• The Installed windows is around around 6GB
  
• Everything that ya don't need on my HTPC - Kodi is stripped out. (my opinion)
  

Bad Notes.

• I've just discovered that my External HDD wont detect on it. i can use USB Flash Drives but not and external.
  
• Cannot access Properties on "This PC" (My Computer)
  
• (this could be to do with my .ISO) when i install windows it gets stuck on the "finalizing" section. rebooting the computer fixes this and it has installed like normal.
  
• Under control panel, there is now NO option for uninstalling software. I'm not sure which box i ticked for this to occur.
  

_______________________________________
Would be brilliant if someone would be able to shed light on this problem =) 

Link:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks

Hello,

Here are some information about your problems :

SangheiliDragon wrote:

Under control panel, there is now NO option for uninstalling software. I'm not sure which box i ticked for this to occur

You selected "Control Panel - Programs and Features" and "Control Panel - Programs and Features (Files)".

SangheiliDragon wrote:

Cannot access Properties on "This PC" (My Computer)

You selected "Control Panel - System" which is the shortcut.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

SangheiliDragon wrote:

- I have managed to reduce the .ISO down to about 2GB
- The Installed windows is around around 6GB
- Everything that ya don't need on my HTPC - Kodi is stripped out. (my opinion)

I think that the ISO size could be even smaller ... I will propose a wccf today which will be a mix of your file and KrX's file, with mine.

Hey,

So, I've created a wccf which removes almost all components but preserve some functionalities.

I've used it and Kodi is working great ...

But take care, I've removed Windows Update support, printer support and keep all Ethernet and Wlan drivers ... in the future "WinReducer for Kodi" you will have the choice to automatically integrate all windows updates to ensure that you'll have the latest windows version preserve before cleanup OR to keep Windows updates functionality ! Also all Ethernet or Wlan drivers will be customizable with a new easy way ...

Here is the download link : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (OneDrive Folder)

EDIT : I'm not using server or similar functionalities, so it's possible that it will be broken. This is why I need feedbacks about this subject, just to determine which components are needed ... have fun guys !

Hey,
Thanks for the feed back on my file.

also thank you for your file. will test it out today and get back to you. =)

Curious, do you know how large the final install will be?

Thanks again

You are welcome ...

For a x64 system, this should be around 2.4Go (once install) !

winterstorm2050 wrote:

You are welcome ...

For a x64 system, this should be around 2.4Go (once install) !

i just got a look at the wccf file.

If we customize the driver for ower own need it should be smaller

Yes, and we are here to discuss about all possible options ... so do not hesitate to post your comment ...

Please just keep in mind that this wccf is for a dedicated system to have Kodi on a HTPC ...

Hey ya,
I've been testing the file out and it seems that the wireless is not working.
I have drivers installed. Hardwired works fine though.

Also have enabled
UPNP to work with Kodi file share.
windows defender
windows updater
themes
integrated my on drivers for my HTPC


also how do i make it so that the windows task bar is not on top during install?

Thanks

SangheiliDragon wrote:

also how do i make it so that the windows task bar is not on top during install?

Thanks

its on top because winter changed it in winreducer

go to

Appearance -> Various ->  Taskbar Position

and change it to bottom

SangheiliDragon wrote:

I've been testing the file out and it seems that the wireless is not working.
I have drivers installed. Hardwired works fine though.Thanks

Yes, you are right this is not working, and in WinReducer for Kodi you will have an option to easily activate it if you wish.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

UPNP to work with Kodi file share.

So, this is needed for Kodi, I will integrate it in my next wccf. Thank you very much for the report.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

windows defender

I just have a question about that, I just want to know in which context this is necessary ? Just want to have information about that to determine if it should be interesting to add an option in WinReducer for Kodi.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

windows updater

As I said in my previous post, I will add an option to choose to keep it or to integrate Windows Updates.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

themes

I'm creating a dedicated theme, a special Kodi one ...

SangheiliDragon wrote:

integrated my on drivers for my HTPC

I'm thinking about creating special drivers packs for WinReducer for Kodi HTPC ... ... this will be much more easy to choose a prepared driver pack. Guys, could you please tell me your opinion about that ? Thanks.

winterstorm2050 wrote:

SangheiliDragon wrote:

I've been testing the file out and it seems that the wireless is not working.
I have drivers installed. Hardwired works fine though.Thanks

Yes, you are right this is not working, and in WinReducer for Kodi you will have an option to easily activate it if you wish.

Would you be able to explain how to activate it before the release?

SangheiliDragon wrote:

UPNP to work with Kodi file share.

So, this is needed for Kodi, I will integrate it in my next wccf. Thank you very much for the report.

I use UPNP for share between my tablet which has Kodi installed on it. essentially acting as a server

Also needed if you wish to use an app on your smartphone to use it as a remote.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

windows defender

I just have a question about that, I just want to know in which context this is necessary ? Just want to have information about that to determine if it should be interesting to add an option in WinReducer for Kodi.

There would be no direct need to intergrate windows defender into Kodi, I require an antivirus as im also using my HTPC as a torrent box. i just wanted some basic protection.

also as you may know kodi requires an internet connection to pull cover art and inforation about the media on it. as i said just some basic protection from the net.

SangheiliDragon wrote:

windows updater

As I said in my previous post, I will add an option to choose to keep it or to integrate Windows Updates.

ah i see now. must have missed that sorry sorry.

what would i need to enable to active it now?

SangheiliDragon wrote:

themes

I'm creating a dedicated theme, a special Kodi one ...

ah =) thank you 

SangheiliDragon wrote:

integrated my on drivers for my HTPC

I'm thinking about creating special drivers packs for WinReducer for Kodi HTPC ... ... this will be much more easy to choose a prepared driver pack. Guys, could you please tell me your opinion about that ? Thanks.

hmm well my drivers for my htpc

Reaktek HD Audio

Intel LAN
Intel WLAN
Intel VGA

So Pretty Much Stock standard drivers =)

Sorry Dont know how to Quote Properly 


Also, is there a way to directly intergrate sofware into the iso? 

i would like to put in

Kodi
uTorrent
The Renamer
Gigabyte AppCentre
Apples Bonjour
Remote Mouse
Chrome
Teamviewer.

also i thank you so much for your WCCF you made. its awesome how its only around 2gb after install. its spectacular on my mSata card =)

THANKS =)

@KrX

Thanks for your help on that =)

Hey,

To integrate software, you have a tool in WinReducer in "System" tab and choose "OOBE", then use "ADD File" button and everything will be automatically done for you. You will just have to create your ISO, then launch the Windows installation ... and during the Windows installation, at 1st logon, you will see a cmd window which will launch each software you added in your ISO.

For your drivers, I would like to create that to help many people which will not have enough skills to extract their own drivers. Just for that.

winterstorm2050 wrote:

Hey,

To integrate software, you have a tool in WinReducer in "System" tab and choose "OOBE", then use "ADD File" button and everything will be automatically done for you. You will just have to create your ISO, then launch the Windows installation ... and during the Windows installation, at 1st logon, you will see a cmd window which will launch each software you added in your ISO.

if you add your software with winreducer you need to add parameters to install it silently

i think i answered it good here:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

i.e for kodi its should be the parameter "/S" (without ") like

kodi.exe /S

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

winterstorm2050 wrote:

For your drivers, I would like to create that to help many people which will not have enough skills to extract their own drivers. Just for that.

i think that sounds excellent

Have been testing out your build winter and I have found a bug. If I try to copy a largish amount of data from one USB HDD to another. It disconnects the source drive.

Also. I see that your build does not have networks sharing as you stated previously.
How could I fix it so that it does?

Hey,

1) About "network sharing", you are right, I missed it, sorry it's my mistake. Unfortunately, you are not able to restore it (because it has been removed), the only choice is to recreate a new ISO. Sorry.

This is in an early stage development, so it will be improved in the next release. Thank you for your report.

2) About the usb copy bug, I haven't seen a WinReducer bug report about this problem, so maybe this is an unknown bug or a Windows bug ... Have you integrated your Windows Updates before or after experience this bug ?

Have a good day !

Just a fyi, if it may help this project

here's my current preset i use for media pc + gaming : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It's been running fine  with no real issues or breaking that i know of.

Hey,

Yes, it's an excellent sharing, thank you very much ! I downloaded it and will have a look as soon as I could ...

Have a good day !

Hey ya, i know i havnt been on in quiet some time, but was just wondering how you are going with the build?

thannks