First Boot Configuration: Permanently Disable Unnecessary Windows Services

Full Disabling Checklist (Step by Step)

Disable Windows Defender Completely (via Group Policy)

We’ll disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus entirely using Group Policy Editor and also ensure that Real-time Monitoring, Cloud-delivered Protection, and Behavior Monitoring are disabled so no background protection remains active.

💡 These settings are only available in Windows 10 Pro editions or higher. If you’re using Home, use the registry method

📍 Step-by-Step: Turn Off Microsoft Defender Antivirus

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
   (This opens the Local Group Policy Editor)

2. Navigate to the following path:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus

3. On the right panel, double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus

4. Select Enabled, then click Apply > OK

📍 Also Disable the Following Policies:

Under the same folder, look for and configure the following settings:

• Real-time Protection

  • Double-click “Turn off real-time protection”

  • Set to Enabled

• Cloud-delivered Protection

  • Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > MAPS

  • Double-click “Send file samples when further analysis is required”

  • Set to Disabled

• Behavior Monitoring

  • Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Real-time Protection

  • Double-click “Monitor file and program activity on your computer”

  • Set to Disabled

🔁 Restart your system for all changes to take full effect.

Disable SmartScreen (via Group Policy)

SmartScreen filters downloads and app launches, but introduces unnecessary delay and background checks.

📍 Step-by-Step: Disable SmartScreen

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter

2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

3. Double-click “Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen”

4. Set it to Disabled, click Apply → OK

Disable User Account Control (UAC)

UAC interrupts background tasks and causes issues in emulators like GameLoop when attempting to elevate processes.

📍 Step-by-Step: Disable UAC

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter

2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. Double-click the value named EnableLUA

4. Change the value from 1 to 0

5. Click OK, then restart your PC

Disable Windows Update (Fully)

Even if paused temporarily, Windows Update can re-enable itself via scheduled tasks. We’ll block it through both Services and Group Policy.

📍 Disable via services.msc:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter

2. Find Windows Update, right-click → Properties

3. Set Startup type to Disabled

4. Click Stop if running, then Apply → OK

📍 Disable via Group Policy:

1. Open gpedit.msc

2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

3. Double-click “Configure Automatic Updates”, set to Disabled

Disable Windows Search & Indexing

This service scans your files constantly in the background and adds unnecessary disk activity.

📍 How to Disable:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter

2. Find Windows Search, right-click → Properties

3. Set Startup type to Disabled, then Stop the service

Disable Windows Error Reporting

This service generates logs and attempts to send crash data to Microsoft — completely unnecessary for a dedicated gaming system.

📍 Registry Method:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter

2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting

3. Right-click the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value

4. Name it Disabled and set the value to 1

Disable Superfetch (SysMain)

This “performance enhancer” actually causes lag and boot delays, especially on SSDs or emulators.

📍 How to Disable:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc

2. Locate SysMain, right-click → Properties

3. Set to Disabled, click Stop → OK

Disable Diagnostic Policy Service

This service logs device and network errors in real-time, consuming system resources needlessly.

📍 How to Disable:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc

2. Find Diagnostic Policy Service, disable it using the same method as above

3. Restart your system

✅ Final Optimization Checklist

Before installing GameLoop, this is your last chance to strip down Windows and ensure maximum performance.

Remove all unnecessary apps and features that Windows comes bundled with — such as Xbox Game Bar, Cortana, Weather, Mail, Calendar, OneDrive, and more.

Not all components can be removed easily, and that’s okay. Just uninstall or disable what you can. No need to force it — this step is a lightweight cleanup to eliminate obvious bloat.

💡 Suggested removals include:

• Xbox Game Bar & Game Services

• Cortana

• Weather, News, Calendar, Mail

• OneDrive (if not used)

• 3D Viewer, Paint 3D, Mixed Reality Portal

• Microsoft Store games or trialware (e.g. Candy Crush)

You can do this via:

• Settings → Apps → Installed apps

• Or using PowerShell for deeper removals (advanced users)

🧼 The fewer distractions, the more stable and efficient your GameLoop environment will be.

🔐 Security Warning

⚠️ You have now disabled all active security measures in Windows. This system is not safe for general use or web browsing.

🔒 Only use it to play games via GameLoop in a controlled environment.