Scalpel v2.0 User Guide

Scalpel helps you collect selected Windows system information, review backup contents, restore selected items, remove optional built-in apps, and install common software. Review each selection carefully: restore and system-tweak actions can modify Windows settings.

Start Scalpel

Run the Scalpel PowerShell script locally on the Windows PC. If Scalpel is not running as Administrator, it asks whether to relaunch with elevated privileges. Some features, such as driver operations and machine-wide registry tweaks, require Administrator access.

Keep Scalpel open while a background operation is running. Progress and results appear in the Activity Log.

Gather Data

1. Open Gather data and select the categories to collect: installed software, Windows services, system details, third-party drivers, or registry keys.
2. To export registry keys, leave or edit the paths in the text box. Enter one registry path per line.
3. The Exclude built-in Microsoft apps/frameworks option is selected by default.
4. Choose a backup destination. Scapel creates a timestamped backup folder inside it.
5. Select Create ZIP archive if you also want a .zip beside the backup folder for transfer.
6. Select Gather selected data and monitor progress in the Activity Log.

Driver collection requires Administrator access. The ZIP option is off by default; when enabled, Scalpel retains the folder as well as creating the archive.

Restore or Reinstall

1. Open Reinstall / restore.
2. Enter a backup folder, or select Import ZIP… to extract and load a Scapel backup archive.
3. Select Scan folder. Scapel loads matching software, service, registry, and driver items into separate tabs.
4. Select the items to apply. Restore items are unchecked by default; selections persist when switching tabs.
5. Select Apply selected items and review the confirmation before proceeding.

The Select visible and Clear selection buttons apply to the current tab. The built-in Microsoft app filter is enabled by default for software entries.

Software selections install through the displayed package source. Service restoration changes the saved startup mode; it does not change whether the service is currently running. Registry files can overwrite existing values. Driver installation requires Administrator access and can affect connected hardware.

Registry Tweaks

The Registry tweaks tab lists privacy, appearance, performance, and network settings. Select the tweaks you want and choose Apply selected items. Use Reset selected tweaks for the catalog’s reset action.

“Reset” does not always restore a saved copy of your prior settings. Depending on the tweak, it may write a catalog value or remove the Scalpel override. The SvcHostSplitThresholdInKB tweak calculates a value from installed physical memory and requires a reboot. Disabling IPv6 is an advanced change that may disrupt networking and also requires a reboot.

Remove Bloatware

The Remove bloatware tab lists optional Windows apps and shows whether each is installed for the current user.

1. Select individual apps, or choose Select recommended to select installed apps marked as recommended.
2. Review the selection and choose Remove selected.
3. Confirm the removal.

Scalpel removes only the selected current-user Appx packages. It does not remove apps for all users or from the Windows image. Reinstallation may require Microsoft Store.

Install Software

The Install software tab lists software by category, including the package ID and source.

1. Choose a category or All categories.
2. Select individual packages, or choose Select recommended.
3. Review the package IDs and sources, then choose Install selected.
4. Confirm the installation.

Installations use Winget with the listed source, including Microsoft Store where specified. An internet connection is required, and availability may change. Only select software you trust.

ZIP Backup Transfer

When Create ZIP archive is enabled during gathering, Scalpel creates a ZIP file next to the timestamped backup folder. On the receiving PC, open Reinstall / restore, choose Import ZIP…, select the archive, and scan the extracted backup. Review and select restore items before applying them.

• System data collection: Gather software, Windows service settings, system details, third-party driver information, and selected registry keys.
• Microsoft app filtering: Exclude recognized Windows inbox apps and frameworks from software inventories and reinstall manifests.
• Transfer-ready backups: Save timestamped backups and optionally create a ZIP archive for transfer to another PC.
• Backup import: Import a Scapel ZIP backup and scan it for available restore items.
• Selective restore: Review and choose software, service startup settings, registry files, and driver packages across separate tabs.
• Registry tweaks: Apply selected privacy, appearance, performance, and network settings, including the RAM-based service-host threshold.
• Optional app removal: Review installed optional Windows apps and remove selected packages for the current user.
• Software installation: Browse software by category, select recommended packages, and install from Winget or Microsoft Store.
• Admin and reboot guidance: Prompt for Administrator access when needed and flag tweaks that require a restart.
• Activity log: Follow background operations and review their results.

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