Fully resetting and re-installing WindowsUpdated 2 months ago

1. Complete a re-install of Windows 10, guides to do this can be found here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-refresh-reset-or-restore-your-pc-51391d9a-eb0a-84a7-69e4-c2c1fbceb8dd or if you prefer video, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtHZueEZe9s
2. Accounts: Switch to “Local Account”. If you are not provided this option, there's a workaround. If you disconnect your internet connection, you can then attempt to "create an account". After this fails 3 times, Windows will give you the option to create a local account.
3. Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts: Off
4. Turn off Windows notifications as they can interfere with gameplay: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-notification-and-quick-settings-in-windows-ddcbbcd4-0a02-f6e4-fe14-6766d850f294
5. Disable Xbox game bar https://www.howtogeek.com/705656/how-to-disable-or-enable-windows-10s-xbox-game-bar/
6. Disable most startup items (Press ctrl+shift+esc, open the startup tab and disable Startup Applications like Steam, Xbox App services, anything that is non-essential aside from Polycade AGS)
7. Install 64 bit and 32 bit redistributables as some games require them: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
8. Also install directx 9 as some games require it:
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=35
9. Also install Microsoft XNA framework as some games require it:
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20914
10. Download & install AGS https://polycade.com/pages/download-polycade-ags
11. Allow Polycade AGS to launch on Windows startup, open the settings by pressing the escape key, select general, move down to "Launch on Windows Startup" and toggle it to "On"
12. Get a Polycade wallpaper: https://polycade.com/pages/wallpapers
13. For help setting up Polycade AGS, see this guide: https://polycade.com/pages/helphq-2#/collection/4100/article/20404

Disable Windows Sign-in

1. Require sign-in: Never, for a walkthrough of how to do this, check here: https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/users-must-enter-a-user-name-and-password-to-use-this-computer-missing-windows-10/
2. Open the Netplwiz (Win+R then type netplwiz ) and turn on auto sign-in https://www.askvg.com/fix-users-must-enter-a-user-name-and-password-to-use-this-computer-checkbox-missing-in-windows-10/
3. Press WindowsLogoKey+R to open the “Run” box.
   1. Type “regedit”
   2. Enter: 
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device
   3. Double click “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion”
   4. Enter 0 and press OK

4. Follow this guide also: https://polycade.com/pages/helphq-2#/collection/4100/article/28959