I’m planning to perform a clean install of Windows 10 Pro on a new PC. Is there a good reason to perform the installation without being connected to the Internet? My thoughts are as follows.
I’ve always installed Windows 7 without being connected to the Internet primarily in order to do the following before making the connection:
1. Install the manufacturers’ device drivers.
2. Install MSE and the latest antivirus and antispyware definitions.
3. Set Windows Update to “Never check for updates”.
Regarding Point #1 when installing Windows 10, I believe that the Microsoft WHQL device drivers might be sufficient for my needs. But I am open to being convinced otherwise.
I don’t believe Point #2 is relevant on Windows 10 because of the built-in presence of Windows Defender.
Point #3 does seem very relevant to me because I don’t want a flood of updates occurring without my knowledge as soon as the PC connects to the Internet. As far as I am aware, setting the Windows Update options for Windows 10 Pro according to the recommendations in the document AKB2000016 by @pkcano will achieve the desired result. But, not knowing Windows 10 and having never installed it, I might be missing something.
The only other relevant issue that comes to mind is that I wish to install Windows 10 using a local administrator account, not a live Microsoft account. I believe that you need to install Windows 10 Home while not connected to the Internet in order to force this. But I also understand that it is not necessary to do this when installing Windows 10 Pro because, at a certain point in the installation, you are explicitly given the option of using a live Microsoft account or creating a local administrator account.
So, in summary, it appears to me that my desire to be able to manage and control updates is the only reason for installing Windows 10 Pro without being connected to the Internet. Any comments please?
