Configurations

Configuration changes are implemented with Install-Defaults.ps1. This script reads configurations in JSON format and configures the local Windows instance with Windows feature states, registry settings, copies files into specified paths, imports a default Start menu, and modifies the default user profile.

Configurations are stored in the following JSON files with the logic to make changes to Windows includes in Install-Defaults.ps1:

JSON files are gathered based on properties of the local Windows instance. The following keywords, used in the file names, ensure that the right JSON files are selected:

Client - Windows 10 or Windows 11
Server - Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022
Virtual - Virtual machines, e.g. Hyper-V, Azure, vSphere, Parallels etc.
All - applies to all Windows instances

Each JSON file includes a MinimumBuild property that can be used to ensure specific configurations only apply to a specific version of Windows or above. For example, the property might ensure that configurations only apply to Windows 10 version 10.0.19041 and above.

Other Configurations¶

Install-Defaults.ps1 performs additional tasks not defined in the JSON configuration files:

Removes inbox Universal Windows Platform (AppX) apps - see Remove UWP apps
Copies the solution as a Run custom actions during feature update. This enables the Custom Defaults to be re-run during an in-place upgrade

Script Process Visualisation¶

Here's an visualisation of how the Install-Defaults.ps1 works:

graph TD
    A[Invoke Install-Defaults.ps1] -->B(Get OS platform)
    B --> C(Get OS version)
    C --> D(Get hardware model)
    D --> E(Gather .json configs)
    E -->|All| F[Install configs for all platforms]
    E -->|Platform| G[Install configs for target OS] -->J
    E -->|Build| H[Install configs for OS version] -->J
    E -->|Model| I[Install configs for hardware model] -->J
    F --> J{Client OS?}
    J -->|Yes| K[Remove AppX apps]
    J --> L[Copy project files to feature update path]
    L --> M[Write uninstall info to registry]
    K --> N{Language specified?}
    N -->|Yes|O[Install & set default language]