diff --git a/tools/make.py b/tools/make.py
index d7ef417996..ca37369638 100644
--- a/tools/make.py
+++ b/tools/make.py
@@ -227,6 +227,17 @@ def find_bi_tools(work_drive):
     else:
         raise Exception("BadTools","Arma 3 Tools are not installed correctly or the P: drive needs to be created.")
 
+def mikero_windows_registry(path, access=winreg.KEY_READ):
+    try:
+        return winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, r"Software\Mikero\{}".format(path), access=access)
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        try:
+            return winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, r"Software\Mikero\{}".format(path), access=access)
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            try:
+                return winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, r"Software\Wow6432Node\Mikero\{}".format(path), access=access)
+            except FileNotFoundError:
+                return winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, r"Software\Wow6432Node\Mikero\{}".format(path), access=access)
 
 def find_depbo_tools():
     """Use registry entries to find DePBO-based tools."""
@@ -235,20 +246,8 @@ def find_depbo_tools():
 
     for tool in requiredToolPaths:
         try:
-            try:
-                k = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, r"Software\Mikero\{}".format(tool))
-                path = winreg.QueryValueEx(k, "exe")[0]
-            except FileNotFoundError:
-                try:
-                    k = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, r"Software\Mikero\{}".format(tool))
-                    path = winreg.QueryValueEx(k, "exe")[0]
-                except FileNotFoundError:
-                    try:
-                        k = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, r"Software\Wow6432Node\Mikero\{}".format(tool))
-                        path = winreg.QueryValueEx(k, "exe")[0]
-                    except FileNotFoundError:
-                        k = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, r"Software\Wow6432Node\Mikero\{}".format(tool))
-                        path = winreg.QueryValueEx(k, "exe")[0]
+            k = mikero_windows_registry(tool)
+            path = winreg.QueryValueEx(k, "exe")[0]           
         except FileNotFoundError:
             print_error("Could not find {}".format(tool))
             failed = True
@@ -264,6 +263,17 @@ def find_depbo_tools():
 
     return requiredToolPaths
 
+def pboproject_settings():
+    """Use registry entries to configure needed pboproject settings."""
+    value_exclude = "thumbs.db,*.txt,*.h,*.dep,*.cpp,*.bak,*.png,*.log,*.pew,source,*.tga"
+
+    try:
+        k = mikero_windows_registry(r"pboProject\Settings", access=winreg.KEY_SET_VALUE)
+        winreg.SetValueEx(k, "m_exclude", 0, winreg.REG_SZ, value_exclude)
+        winreg.SetValueEx(k, "m_exclude2", 0, winreg.REG_SZ, value_exclude)
+    except:
+        raise Exception("BadDePBO", "pboProject not installed correctly, make sure to run it at least once")
+
 
 def color(color):
     """Set the color. Works on Win32 and normal terminals."""
@@ -1031,6 +1041,8 @@ See the make.cfg file for additional build options.
             pboproject = depbo_tools["pboProject"]
             rapifyTool = depbo_tools["rapify"]
             makepboTool = depbo_tools["MakePbo"]
+
+            pboproject_settings()
         except:
             raise
             print_error("Could not find dePBO tools. Download the needed tools from: https://dev.withsix.com/projects/mikero-pbodll/files")