How to Create a Custom Gaming-Optimized Windows 10 ISO: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this detailed tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process of creating a custom Windows 10 ISO file specifically optimized for gaming. This custom setup eliminates unnecessary Windows apps and background processes, ensuring a streamlined operating system that enhances your gaming experience.

Key Takeaways

• Minimal Windows Apps: The custom ISO removes all non-essential apps from Windows 10.
• Essential Background Apps Only: Background activity is limited to Settings and Windows Security.
• Reduced Process Load: The system runs fewer processes, optimizing performance for gaming.

Requirements

Before you begin creating your custom Windows 10 ISO, ensure you have the following:

• Official Windows 10 ISO: Downloaded from the Microsoft website.
• Virtualization Software: VMware Workstation Player or VirtualBox installed on your system.
• Sufficient Storage Space: At least 50GB of free space on your hard drive for creating and storing the ISO file.
• Internet Connection: Required for downloading necessary tools and updates during the process.
• Administrative Privileges: Ensure you have administrator rights on your PC to run the required commands and install software.

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Preparing for Custom ISO Creation

1. Download the Official Windows 10 ISO

Start by downloading the official Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. If you’re using a Chromium-based browser like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Thorium, you can modify the browser’s network conditions to mimic Chrome OS and access the ISO file directly:

• Press F12 to open Developer Tools.
• Click on the three dots, then More Tools > Network Conditions.
• Uncheck the box under User Agent and select Chrome OS from the dropdown.
• Press F5 to reload the page, and you’ll be able to download the ISO file.

For detailed instructions, check out these guides:

• How to Download the Windows 10 ISO Without Media Creation Tool
• How to Download Windows 10 ISO File from Microsoft

Once the ISO file is downloaded, create a new folder on your desktop called VMShare and copy the ISO file into this folder.

2. Set Up a Virtual Environment

You’ll need a virtualization tool like VMware Workstation Player or VirtualBox. VMware is used in this guide, but you can choose the one you’re most comfortable with.

For assistance, you can refer to these guides:

• How to Enable Virtualization on Your PC
• How to Install VMware on Windows 11 and 10 (Video Tutorial)
• How to Download & Install VirtualBox

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Creating the Virtual Machine in VMware

To create your custom Windows 10 ISO, follow these detailed steps to set up the virtual machine (VM) in VMware:

1. Create a New Virtual Machine:

• Open VMware and select Create a new virtual machine.
• Choose the option I will install the operating system later, then click Next.
• In the Guest Operating System selection, leave Microsoft Windows selected.
• Set the version to Windows 10 64-bit, then click Next.

2. Name the Virtual Machine and Set the Location:

• You can leave the Name and Location at their default settings or customize them as needed. Click Next to proceed.

3. Configure Disk Capacity:

• Keep the disk capacity settings at their default values. VMware will typically recommend a sufficient size based on your selections. Click Next, then click Finish to create the virtual machine.

4. Adjust Virtual Machine Settings:

• Before launching the VM, right-click on the newly created virtual machine and select Settings.
• Memory: Adjust the memory allocation based on your computer’s specifications. For optimal performance, set it to 8 GB (8192 MB).
• Processors: Increase the number of processors to 4 for better performance.

Note: These instructions are tailored to the hardware in my computer. If your system has lower specifications, be sure to adjust the virtual machine settings accordingly.

5. Mount the Windows 10 ISO:

• In the Settings window, select CD/DVD (SATA) from the list of devices.
• Click on Use ISO image file, then click Browse to navigate to the location where you saved the Windows 10 ISO file (inside the VMShare folder on your desktop).
• Select the ISO file and click Open.

6. Add a New Hard Disk:

• At the bottom of the Settings window, click on Add to add new hardware.
• Choose Hard Disk and click Next.
• Select the recommended Virtual Disk Type based on your system’s capabilities. For example, if your system supports NVMe, select that option.
• Create a new virtual disk, leaving the default settings, and click Next, then Finish.

Note: You now have two hard disks within your virtual machine—one for the Windows installation and the other for saving the custom Windows 10 image file.

7. Launch the Virtual Machine:

• With the configuration complete, click OK to save the settings and return to the VMware interface.
• Start the virtual machine by clicking on the Power on this virtual machine button.
• Be ready to press Spacebar when prompted to boot from the ISO file, ensuring the Windows installation process begins.

8. Maximize and Interact with the VM:

• Maximize the VM window for better visibility.
• If you encounter issues with the mouse not working inside the VM, press Ctrl + Alt to regain control of the mouse, or click inside the VM window to interact directly.

These steps will ensure that your virtual machine is properly configured, allowing you to proceed with the installation of Windows 10 and the creation of your custom gaming-optimized ISO file.

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Install Windows 10

Proceed with a standard Windows installation on the virtual machine. Choose the Windows 10 edition you prefer, as this will be the base for your custom ISO. In this guide, I used Windows 10 Pro.

For a step-by-step walkthrough on Installing Windows 10 check out the Running the Windows Installation section in my guide on How to Install Windows 10: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Clicking on the link above or the image below will automatically direct you to the correct section of the guide.

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Customizing Windows 10

Debloating Windows for Gaming Optimization

Once you’ve installed Windows 10 on your virtual machine, the next crucial step is to debloat the operating system to optimize it for gaming. This process involves removing unnecessary apps, services, and background processes, significantly reducing system load and improving performance. Here’s a detailed guide on how to debloat your Windows 10 installation:

1. Assess the Current System Load:

• Begin by checking the initial process count of your fresh Windows 10 installation.
• Right-click on the taskbar and open Task Manager to view the processes. On a typical out-of-the-box Windows 10 Pro installation, you may see around 140 processes running.
• The goal is to reduce this number by removing unneeded components.

2. Launch PowerShell to Run Debloating Scripts:

• Right-click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin), then confirm by clicking Yes.
• In the PowerShell window, run the following command to launch the Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility:
  irm https://christitus.com/win | iex
• This utility will install necessary dependencies, including Chocolatey, and launch a set of tools designed to help optimize Windows.

3. Configure Windows Updates and Tweaks:

• In the utility, go to the Updates tab and select Security Recommended Settings to ensure that only essential security updates are installed, avoiding unnecessary feature updates that could bloat the system.
• Navigate to the Tweaks tab and select the Recommended Desktop Tweaks. This will adjust various system settings to enhance performance. Feel free to select any other tweaks you think might be applicable to your system.
• Activate the Ultimate Performance Plan by clicking on the corresponding button. This power plan is optimized for maximum performance.

4. Adjust Control Panel Settings:

• Open Control Panel, switch to View by: Small icons, and navigate to Power Options.
• Click on Show Additional Plans and activate the Ultimate Performance Plan. Set the power options to Never for sleep settings to ensure uninterrupted gaming performance.
• Go to User Accounts and adjust the User Account Control (UAC) settings to reduce unnecessary prompts and interruptions.

5. Run the Tweaks and Restart:

• With the desired settings selected, return to the Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility and click on Run Tweaks.
• These tweaks will disable or remove certain Windows features, such as Microsoft Edge.
• After the tweaks are applied, restart the virtual machine to ensure all changes take effect.

6. Install Essential Applications:

• After the restart, open PowerShell as an administrator again and relaunch the Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility.
• Install the necessary applications for your gaming setup. I chose to install Thorium (a Chromium-based browser) and Floorp (a Firefox-based browser) but these are just examples, you can install any application you want on your custom Windows ISO, not just browsers.

7. Remove Unwanted Apps and Clean Up:

• Once your essential applications are installed, further streamline the system by removing any remaining unwanted apps.
• Use O&O AppBuster to uninstall all preinstalled Windows apps.
  • Download and run AppBuster, select Actions > Select all Windows apps, and then click Remove.

• Uninstall the Microsoft Store using the following PowerShell command, but only if you do not plan on using it (e.g., for games like Minecraft):
  Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage
• Remove any other unnecessary shortcuts, such as Microsoft Edge and Cortana, from the taskbar and Start menu. Clean up the desktop by removing the Recycle Bin and other icons as preferred.

8. Recommended Windows 10 Settings

There are also several Windows 10 settings you can change to optimize your system and enhance your user experience. They are easy to implement and can make a big difference in performance and privacy. Here’s a breakdown of my recommended settings:

• Create a Shortcut for This PC:
  • Open File Explorer, drag “This PC” to the desktop, and pin it to the taskbar for quick access.
• Disable Notifications:
  • Go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and turn off unnecessary notifications.
• Disable Tablet Mode:
  • Go to Settings > System > Tablet and set it to “Never use tablet mode.”
• Set Default Apps:
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and choose your preferred default applications (e.g., Google Chrome, iTunes, VLC Media Player).
• Disable Unnecessary Startup Items:
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable startup items you don’t need, like Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft Edge.
• Adjust Sign-in Options:
  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and uncheck the option to automatically reopen apps after restart.
• Disable Xbox Game Bar (Optional):
  • Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it off. Optionally, disable Game Mode as well.
• Adjust Privacy Settings:
  • Go to Settings > Privacy and turn off unnecessary sliders under various categories. Adjust diagnostics and feedback settings, and clear activity history.
• Disable Background Apps:
  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and turn off all background apps.
• Turn Off App Diagnostics:
  • Go to Settings > Privacy > App diagnostics and disable the app diagnostics feature.

For a more detailed breakdown of these settings, check out the Recommended Tweaks section in my guide on How to Install Windows 10: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Clicking on the link above will automatically direct you to the correct section of the guide.

9. Finalize the Debloating Process:

• Finally, revisit the Task Manager to check the number of running processes. After the debloating process, your system should be running significantly fewer processes, around 50, which is ideal for gaming.
• You can now restart your virtual machine to ensure all tweaks and changes are fully implemented.

By following these steps, you’ll have a clean, minimalistic Windows 10 installation optimized for gaming, free from unnecessary bloatware and background processes that could hinder performance.

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Preparing and Capturing the Custom Windows 10 ISO

Creating and Formatting the Data Partition

After setting up your virtual machine, installing and customizing Windows 10, the next crucial step is to create and format a new partition that will be used to store your custom Windows image. Follow these detailed instructions to configure the partition correctly:

1. Open Disk Management:

• Click on the Start button and type Disk Management into the search bar.
• Select Create and Format Hard Disk Partitions from the search results to open the Disk Management tool.

2. Initialize the New Disk:

• Upon opening Disk Management, you will be prompted to initialize the new disk that was added to the virtual machine.
• Leave the default partition style set to GPT (GUID Partition Table), and click OK to proceed.
• This action will prepare the disk for use, making it visible in the Disk Management window.

3. Create a New Simple Volume:

• In the Disk Management window, locate the new disk, which will be displayed as unallocated space.
• Right-click on this unallocated space and select New Simple Volume from the context menu.

4. Configure the Volume Settings:

• The New Simple Volume Wizard will launch. Click Next to proceed through the initial steps, keeping the default settings for volume size.
• When you reach the step to assign a drive letter, it’s generally best to accept the default letter.

5. Set the Volume Label:

• The most important step in this process is to assign a volume label. In the Volume Label field, type Data.
• This label will help you easily identify the partition later when saving your custom Windows image.

6. Complete the Partition Setup:

• Click Next to proceed, and then click Finish to complete the setup.
• The Disk Management tool will format the partition and it will be ready for use.

7. Verify the Partition in File Explorer:

• Once the partition is created, open File Explorer and navigate to This PC.
• You should now see three drives: Local Disk C (your Windows installation), DVD Drive (containing the mounted ISO), and Data (the newly created partition).

This Data partition is where you will save your custom Windows image during the next steps of the process. It is crucial to have this partition correctly labeled and formatted to ensure a smooth and organized workflow as you create your custom ISO.

Capturing the Custom Windows Image Using DISM

To capture your customized Windows installation into an image file, follow these steps to navigate the Advanced Startup options and use the DISM tool effectively:

1. Access Advanced Startup Options:

• Launch Settings from the Start menu.
• Navigate to Update & Security, then click on the Recovery tab.
• Under Advanced Startup, click on Restart Now. This will reboot your system into the Advanced Recovery options.

2. Open Command Prompt in Recovery Mode:

• In the Advanced Recovery menu, select Troubleshoot.
• Click on Advanced Options, then select Command Prompt.
• Your system will restart, and you will be prompted to choose your user account. If your account has a password, enter it; otherwise, just click Continue to proceed to the Command Prompt.

3. Identify the Windows Installation Drive:

• In the Command Prompt, type C: and press Enter to navigate to the C drive.
• Type dir and press Enter to list the contents of the C drive. Verify if this is your Windows installation drive by checking for familiar folders like Windows, Users, and Program Files.
• If the C drive isn’t the correct drive, try other drive letters by typing, for example, E: followed by dir until you find the correct drive that contains the Windows installation.

4. Locate the Data Partition:

• Once you’ve confirmed the Windows installation drive, identify the data partition by typing D: and pressing Enter.
• Type dir and press Enter to ensure that this drive is the empty data partition you created earlier. This is where you will save your custom Windows image file.

5. Navigate to the Root Directory:

• To prepare for the capture command, type X: and press Enter to return to the root partition used by the Command Prompt in recovery mode.

6. Run the DISM Capture Command:

• In the Command Prompt, type the following command to capture your custom Windows installation into an image file:

dism /capture-image /imagefile:D:\install.wim /capturedir:C:\ /name:Windows10

• D: is the drive letter where your data partition is located, and the image file will be saved as install.wim.
• C: is the drive letter of your Windows installation that you want to capture.

7. Wait for the Image Creation to Complete:

• The DISM tool will begin capturing the Windows installation, which may take some time. Patience is key here as the process could take a while depending on your system’s speed.
• Once the operation is complete, you will see a message confirming that the operation was successful.

8. Exit and Turn Off the Virtual Machine:

• After the image has been successfully created, type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
• You will be returned to the recovery options screen. From here, select Turn off your PC to shut down the virtual machine.

By following these steps, you’ll have successfully captured your customized Windows 10 installation into an image file, which you can later use to create a bootable ISO or deploy on other systems.

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Configuring VMware for Custom ISO Creation

Enabling Shared Folders in the Virtual Machine

After turning off the virtual machine, the next step is to configure shared folders to access the necessary files from your host computer. Follow these steps to enable and configure shared folders in VMware:

1. Reopen the Virtual Machine Software:

• After turning off the virtual machine, the software might close automatically. Reopen VMware or your chosen virtualization software.

2. Configure Shared Folders:

• Select your virtual machine from the list, right-click on it, and select Settings.
• Click on the Options tab at the top of the Settings window.
• Under Shared Folders, select Always Enabled.
• Click on Add, then click Next to begin adding a shared folder.
• Under Host Path, click Browse and navigate to the VMShare folder on your desktop.
• Select the VMShare folder, click OK, then click Next.
• Ensure that Enable this share is selected, then click Finish to complete the setup.

3. Adjust Hardware Settings:

• After configuring shared folders, go back to the Hardware tab in the Settings window.
• Under CD/DVD (SATA), uncheck the box labeled Connect at Power On.
• Click OK to save these changes.

4. Relaunch the Virtual Machine:

• With the settings configured, click the Power on this virtual machine button to start the VM.
• Maximize the virtual machine window for better visibility.

Installing VMware Tools and Accessing the Shared Folder

Once the virtual machine is running again, the next step is to install VMware Tools and ensure the shared folder is accessible. This will allow you to create a bootable ISO from your custom Windows image.

1. Install VMware Tools:

• In the virtual machine window, click on the Player tab at the top.
• Select Manage, then click on Install VMware Tools. This will insert the VMware Tools installer into the virtual machine.

2. Run the VMware Tools Installer:

• Open File Explorer within the virtual machine.
• Locate the VMware Tools drive, which will appear as a mounted CD or DVD drive.
• Double-click on the VMware Tools drive to start the installation process.
• Follow the prompts and install VMware Tools using the default settings.

3. Restart the Virtual Machine:

• Once the installation is complete, click Finish and you will be prompted to restart the virtual machine. Click Yes to restart.

4. Enable Network Discovery:

• After the virtual machine restarts, open File Explorer and click on the Network tab.
• If prompted, enable Network Discovery by clicking OK and then selecting Turn on Network Discovery from the ribbon at the top.

5. Access the Shared Folder:

• Navigate to This PC in File Explorer and return to the Network tab.
• Look for VMware-host in the list of network computers. Double-click on it, then open Shared Folders.
• You should now see the VMShare folder that was set up on your host computer’s desktop. This folder contains the original Windows 10 ISO file used earlier in the guide.

By following these steps, you will have successfully configured shared folders, installed VMware Tools, and ensured that your custom Windows image is ready to be accessed and converted into a bootable ISO file.

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Making Your Custom Windows Image Bootable

After creating your custom Windows image, the next step is to make it bootable by integrating it into an ISO file. This process involves using AnyBurn, a lightweight tool that allows you to edit ISO files. Follow these detailed steps to create a bootable custom Windows 10 ISO:

1. Download and Install AnyBurn:

• Open a web browser and visit AnyBurn.com.
• On the homepage, click on the Download button.
• Choose the free 64-bit version and download it to your computer.
• Once the download is complete, open the installer.
• Agree to the license terms by clicking I Agree and proceed with the installation using the default settings.
• After the installation is complete, close the browser and launch AnyBurn.

2. Open and Edit the ISO File:

• In the AnyBurn interface, click on Edit Image File to begin editing your ISO.
• You’ll need to locate the ISO file you saved in the VMShare directory. Click on the Network tab in the AnyBurn file browser, then select VMware-host.
• Navigate through the folders until you find the ISO file saved on your local computer. This is the original Windows 10 ISO file you used at the beginning of the process.
• Select the ISO file and click Open. Click Next to proceed to the editing phase.

3. Modify the ISO File:

• Once the ISO file is open in AnyBurn, you need to modify its contents.
• Double-click on the Sources folder to open it. This folder contains numerous files, all organized alphabetically.
• Locate the existing install file, which could be named install.esd or install.wim. This file contains the Windows image currently used by the ISO.
• Select the install file and click on Remove, then confirm by clicking Yes. This action deletes the default Windows image from the ISO.

4. Add Your Custom Windows Image:

• After removing the original install file, you need to add your custom Windows image to the ISO.
• Click on Add and navigate to the Data partition or drive where you saved your custom install.wim file earlier.
• Select your custom install.wim file and click Open to add it to the Sources folder in the ISO.
• Scroll down within the Sources folder to verify that the install.wim file has been added correctly.

5. Save and Rename Your Custom ISO:

• Click Next to proceed to the final step of saving your modified ISO file.
• AnyBurn will prompt you to name your new ISO file. It’s a good idea to rename it something descriptive, like Windows 10-Debloated, to differentiate it from the original ISO.
• Choose the VMShare directory on your desktop as the save location to keep everything organized.
• Click Create Now to start the process of generating your custom ISO file. This may take some time, depending on your system’s speed.

6. Complete the Process:

• Once the creation process is finished, AnyBurn will display a success message. You can now close AnyBurn.
• At this point, you can shut down the virtual machine, as the process within the VM is complete.
• Open the VMShare folder on your desktop, where you will now see two ISO files: the original Windows 10 ISO and your newly created Windows 10-Debloated ISO.

Your custom Windows 10 ISO is now bootable and ready to be used. You can create a bootable USB drive with this ISO or use it to install Windows on a virtual machine or physical hardware to test it out.

For detailed instructions, check out my guide on How to Install Windows 10: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide.

Conclusion

With your custom Windows 10 ISO ready, you’re set to enjoy a more efficient, gaming-optimized system. This ISO strips away unnecessary components, focusing solely on enhancing your gaming performance and is already set up with your customized settings and preferred programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why should I create a custom Windows 10 ISO for gaming?

Creating a custom Windows 10 ISO allows you to remove unnecessary apps and background processes, optimizing your system specifically for gaming. This can result in better performance, reduced system load, and a cleaner user experience.

2. Can I use this method to create a custom ISO for purposes other than gaming?

Yes, the process can be adapted for other uses, such as creating a streamlined work environment or a privacy-focused operating system. The customization steps can be tailored to your specific needs.

3. Do I need to use VMware or VirtualBox to create the custom ISO?

While using a virtual machine is recommended for safety and convenience, it’s not strictly necessary. You can use a physical installation of Windows on a separate drive, but this carries more risk if errors occur during the process.

4. What should I do if the DISM command fails during the capture process?

If the DISM command fails, check that you have sufficient disk space and that all commands are entered correctly. Ensure the correct drive letters are used for the image file and the Windows installation. Reboot the virtual machine and try again if necessary.

5. Can I add additional software or drivers to my custom ISO?

Yes, you can install additional software or drivers during the customization process before capturing the image. However, keep in mind that adding too many components can increase the ISO’s size and potentially impact system performance.