Windows 10 offline use only - possible?

[NJW]

Hello,

I have a client with a computer that's used exclusively offline. He is an author and his requirements are simple: word processing, minor artwork and printing to a USB-connected printer. He currently has an old Dell Optiplex running Windows 7, but wants to replace it with a more recent Windows 10 Home machine (that he already has) due to recent unreliability of the Dell.

So, is it practical, or even possible, to run Windows 10 in the longer term without an Internet connection? There should be no nags, reminders or warnings popping up and there will never be an Internet connection available, even for a short time per month. From my point of view, it needs to be a fit-and-forget solution as remote assistance will not be an option.

I would prefer to set the client up with an alternative OS, but he already has the hardware and operating system, so is reluctant to pay for a nuke & pave with something else. (Googling variations of 'windows-10 offline use' just finds loads of results where Windows 10 complains of not having a connection.)

First-hand experience preferred, but an educated theoretical discourse will be just as entertaining. Remember, this is Windows 10 Home, so limited official hobbling solutions are available.

 

[sapphirescales]

Remove all apps and turn off all notifications. Do a fresh install, get all the latest updates, then disconnect it forever. I've neutered machines in the past so they can't get Windows updates (I disabled the Windows Update service) with no ill effects.

 

[HCHTech]

Remove all apps and turn off all notifications. Do a fresh install, get all the latest updates, then disconnect it forever.

I would reverse those first two steps.

 

[Metanis]

I did this for a business over a year ago and they are still happily chugging along with no Internet connection to a small network of 3 machines.

https://www.technibble.com/forums/t...ternet-for-a-tiny-business.67877/#post-566327

 

[GTP]

I would turn off as many services that were unneeded as well, like ICS, ETW Collector Service, BITS, Application Experience, DataCollectionPublishingService, Computer Browser, Homegroup Listener, and many others that need (or won't need) internet access. Might as well get some resources back!
You could even uninstall Defender, One Drive, IE and Cortana.
I'll attach a .zip with several uninstall files.

Black Viper has lists of services you can disable, but if it's not connected to the internet you could disable many more.
Scroll down to see the services you can safely disable.

http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-10-service-configurations/

http://www.blackviper.com/2017/02/0...nfigurations-updated-include-creators-update/

 

[NJW]

Useful stuff, thanks.

@Metanis : I knew I'd seen something on here – thanks for the pointer, I couldn't find your thread when searching.

@Barcelona : How could I have forgotten Black Viper? (It's clearly an age thing.) I'm not intending to go too far with this, just enough to prevent a lot of notifications, really, but a reference list is handy.

Thanks again.