How to Set Up an Offgrid Windows Machine

In this video, I'll show you how I set up Windows 10 for offgrid computing.

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GEAR

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0:00 Intro
2:08 Caveats
3:44 90s Software
5:38 Download Windows 10
6:45 Create Ventoy Drive
7:48 Gorilla USB Drives
9:59 Disabled Sleep/Hibernation
10:54 Disable Windows
12:46 Disable Tablet Mode
13:09 Disable Cortana
13:21 Use Classic Desktop
14:25 Declutter Desktop
14:34 Applications Walkthrough
19:51 Encryption
22:15 Close

#thetechprepper #offgrid #windows10

[anthrounit]

I got you beat. Got my Tandy 1000HX with Personal Deskmate 2 on floppy disk in 1989 when I was just 5 years old. Too bad the ARPAnet still isn't around.

[darrinpearce]

Watching this on the morning after the Cloudstrike debacle, all very relevant. Thanks for posting 73's.

[snoopymec]

Hey Gaston!
Very nice approach! I really like it. I work in R&D and from around 5 years back they moved all the projects data and calculations to this cloud service thing. Many companies use the Microsoft service, which I think it's a time bomb.
Your timing was perfect for this video!!!
I don't know what you believe, but I feel a bit of God's providence in it. You're going in the right direction.
Bless you man!

[mikewskk]

Great video! I sent you an email a few days ago to your email that is listed on you QRZ page. While watching and afterwards, I had some ideas, tips/tricks that you might find useful for an easier Windows setup. I know you get blasted with emails, no rush, get back at me when it's convenient. Keep up the great work Gaston, your YouTube channel is a tremendous asset to the community.

[neubert]

Extremely timely and VERY useful information! Thank you!

[matsherwood]

Great video! My radio elmer is extremely sharp with hardware, software, networks, and repair, and he has talked to me about doing some of this as I have some old laptops laying around that I may try to use for different radio tasks.

[neoaliphant]

IT Consultant here, i use classic shell mentioned in step 6 all the time, on win 10 and win 11, especially elderly peple, Windows is unusable without something like this, i have no idea what they were thinking with win 11 start system

[ericks]

Man, Ventoy is an awesome little program thanks for letting us know.

Cool thing is you don't actually need a second USB even, you can just throw all your files and software on one and it searches the whole thing for ISOs to boot

[jck]

This is what I needed to start with. There's a gap between where I am and where I want to go, and that gap is tech.

[BobJoe]

Tiny10 is great for off grid Windows. Removes all the excess junk and functions fast and smooth on devices with low system requirements.

[aroberts]

You can also do a multi-boot setup, have multiple OS on a single USB or SSD/HD

[EvanBoyar]

You had me worried for a sec that you'd be truly switching away from Linux just as it finally became the year of the Linux desktop for me

[SteelWolf]

First Windows PC 1994 had a DX4-120. Got it for Mechwarrior 2/Netmech. Even ran Searchlight BBS 4.5 on it.

[ryanhuggins]

I still have DOS on 5.25 floppy drives somewhere in my collection. First computer: 386sx 16mhz. VGA graphics, 2400 baud modem, Soundblaster with "Dr. Sbaitso" program. I miss DOS at times.

[Q_]

Amazing Video Brother!

Update on my MK1, , , I replaced it with a MK2 and was able to Operate in the field with JS8 Call and Wintak with no lag whatsoever, a whole new machine it feels like!

Thank you so much!
FITS.

[DominicMazoch]

H-Town still has power and net problems from the hurricane.

Winlink is a blessing.

I keep my computers off the net as much as possible. Do net stuff Android. Got older computer I want to turn into a penguin 🐧.

[paratusllc]

GREAT CONTENT, I am building out my own comms capabilities and have used your videos as great examples and guides. I am very interested in learning more about complete off grid system, I'm a bit tech challenged when it comes to computer software and installing, just because I've always fell to allowing an auto set up so big brother can have access...LOL...never the less I've challenged myself to learn more and become a capable off grid operator.

[billgrant]

Perfect timing! Saw you on Soldier Systems, amazing!!

[ericks]

Haha I was just thinking about getting a bunch of USB drives to keep different OSs ready to go, great video thank you

[thuff]

What you described is why I am pretty much a Linux person and make it work as I need for Ham Radio. I do need to find a small computer that is 12v power.