GitHub - mytech-today-now/OO: Automated Windows privacy hardening — installs O&O ShutUp10++, applies recommended anti-telemetry settings, and keeps them in place after every Windows update via a SYSTEM-level scheduled task. Runs silently with full logging and restore-point protection.

O&O ShutUp10++ Automated Installation and Configuration

Developed by myTech.Today

Professional IT Services - Serving the Midwest

This PowerShell automation script is developed and maintained by myTech.Today, a professional IT consulting and managed services provider with 20+ years of experience delivering customized technology solutions.

Overview

This PowerShell script automates the installation and configuration of O&O ShutUp10++, a privacy tool that helps protect Windows users from Microsoft telemetry and spyware by applying recommended privacy settings.

Features

✅ Automated Installation

• Scans for existing O&O ShutUp10++ installation
• Downloads from official O&O Software website if not found
• Silent installation with no user interaction required

✅ Privacy Settings Application

• Applies recommended privacy settings automatically
• Uses O&O ShutUp10++'s default configuration for optimal privacy
• Runs completely silently without opening the GUI

✅ System Protection

• Creates a system restore point before applying settings
• Allows easy rollback if needed

✅ Post-Windows Update Protection 🆕

• Automatically creates a scheduled task that runs after Windows updates
• Reapplies privacy settings after major, minor, or patch updates
• Prevents Microsoft from resetting privacy configurations during updates
• Triggers on Windows Update Event IDs 19 and 43 (successful installations)

✅ Comprehensive Logging

• Color-coded console output with timestamps
• Detailed error messages and stack traces
• Clear status indicators (INFO, SUCCESS, WARNING, ERROR)

Requirements

• PowerShell 5.1 or higher
• Administrator privileges (script requires elevation)
• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Internet connection (for initial download)

Set Execution Policy

Before running the script, set the PowerShell execution policy (one-time setup):

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Usage

Initial Installation and Setup

Run the script as Administrator in CMD:

<drive>:\path\to\script\install.bat

Run the script as Administrator:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
cd "<drive>:\path\to\script\" & .\Install-OOShutUp10.ps1

What Happens During Installation

1. ✅ Checks if O&O ShutUp10++ is already installed
2. ✅ Downloads the application if not found
3. ✅ Creates a system restore point
4. ✅ Applies recommended privacy settings silently
5. ✅ Creates a scheduled task to reapply settings after Windows updates
6. ✅ Prompts to restart the computer

Reapply Settings Only (Used by Scheduled Task)

The script can also run in "ReapplyOnly" mode, which only reapplies privacy settings without installation or task creation:

.\Install-OOShutUp10.ps1 -ReapplyOnly

This mode is automatically used by the scheduled task after Windows updates.

Scheduled Task Details

Task Name

OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate

Task Description

Reapplies O&O ShutUp10++ privacy settings after Windows updates to prevent Microsoft from resetting privacy configurations

Trigger Events

The task triggers on the following Windows Update events:

• Event ID 19: Windows Update successful installation
• Event ID 43: Windows Update installation completed

Execution Details

• Runs as: SYSTEM account
• Privileges: Highest available
• Delay: 2 minutes after Windows Update completion
• Execution: Hidden PowerShell window (no user interaction)
• Command: PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File "<ScriptPath>" -ReapplyOnly

Viewing the Scheduled Task

You can view the scheduled task in Task Scheduler:

1. Open Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)
2. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library
3. Look for OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate

Or use PowerShell:

Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate"

Manually Running the Scheduled Task

To test the scheduled task manually:

Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate"

Removing the Scheduled Task

If you want to remove the scheduled task:

Unregister-ScheduledTask -TaskName "OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate" -Confirm:$false

How It Works

Initial Installation Flow

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Check if O&O ShutUp10++ installed  │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ├─ Not Installed ──> Download from official source
               │
               └─ Already Installed ──> Skip download
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│   Create System Restore Point       │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Apply Recommended Privacy Settings │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Create Scheduled Task for Updates  │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Prompt for Restart              │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Post-Windows Update Flow

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│    Windows Update Completes         │
│  (Event ID 19 or 43 triggered)      │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼ (2 minute delay)
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Scheduled Task Executes Script     │
│  with -ReapplyOnly parameter        │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Locate O&O ShutUp10++ Executable   │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Reapply Privacy Settings Silently  │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────┘
               │
               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Privacy Settings Restored!         │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Command Line Arguments

O&O ShutUp10++ is executed with the following arguments:

• /quiet - Silent mode (no UI interaction)
• /nosrp - Don't create restore point (we create our own)
• ooshutup10.cfg - Apply recommended privacy settings

Troubleshooting

Script Won't Run - Execution Policy Error

If you get an execution policy error, run PowerShell as Administrator and execute:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Path Contains Special Characters Error

If you get an ampersand error, use the call operator:

& "Q:\_kyle\temp_documents\GitHub\PowerShellScripts\OO\Install-OOShutUp10.ps1"

Scheduled Task Not Triggering

1. Verify the task exists:

   Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate"

2. Check task history in Task Scheduler:

   • Open Task Scheduler
   • Find the task
   • Click on the "History" tab

3. Manually test the task:

   Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "OOShutUp10-PostWindowsUpdate"

O&O ShutUp10++ Not Found After Installation

The script checks multiple installation paths:

• %ProgramFiles%\OO Software\O&O ShutUp10\OOSU10.exe
• %ProgramFiles%\OOShutUp10\OOSU10.exe
• %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\OOShutUp10\OOSU10.exe
• %TEMP%\OOSU10.exe

If the executable is in a different location, the script will attempt to find it in the PATH.

Security Considerations

• The script requires Administrator privileges to:

  • Install software
  • Create system restore points
  • Create scheduled tasks
  • Modify system privacy settings

• The scheduled task runs as SYSTEM account to ensure it can apply privacy settings even when no user is logged in

• All downloads are from the official O&O Software website: https://dl5.oo-software.com/files/ooshutup10/OOSU10.exe

Benefits

Why This Script is Useful

1. Saves Time: Automates the entire installation and configuration process
2. Consistency: Ensures recommended privacy settings are always applied
3. Protection: Creates restore points before making changes
4. Persistence: Automatically reapplies settings after Windows updates
5. No User Interaction: Runs completely silently in the background
6. Peace of Mind: Privacy settings are maintained even after major Windows updates

Why Reapply After Windows Updates?

Microsoft has been known to reset privacy settings during Windows updates, especially major feature updates. This script ensures that your privacy preferences are automatically restored after any Windows update, maintaining your desired level of privacy protection.

References

• O&O ShutUp10++ Official Website
• O&O ShutUp10++ Documentation
• Windows Update Event IDs

License

This script is provided as-is for educational and personal use. O&O ShutUp10++ is developed by O&O Software GmbH and is subject to their license terms.

Author

Developed by: myTech.Today Copyright: (c) 2025 myTech.Today. All rights reserved.

This script was developed based on requirements for automated O&O ShutUp10++ installation and configuration with post-Windows Update protection, leveraging 20+ years of IT consulting and PowerShell automation expertise.

Version History

• v1.0 - Initial release with basic installation and configuration
• v2.0 - Added scheduled task for post-Windows Update reapplication
• v3.0 - Added script relocation, file-based logging, and registry modification for restore points
• v2.1.0 - Added -NonInteractive switch for GUI/automated contexts (suppresses Read-Host prompts)

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