165 - Optional Tweaks for a new Windows 10 Laptop
======setup laptop of Windows 10====by JCPMA nov.2018
0. When you setup your computer, you can skip the step where it asks you to sign in with your Microsoft account.
If you choose to use your Microsoft account, you have an option to sign in with a local account, that is, for your particular computer, you can link to your Microsoft account and sign in with a local account name, and new password. (This will not change your account name/password in the cloud.)
Settings > Accounts > Your email and Accounts> click "sign in with a local account"
[34] https://www.pcmag.com/article/351494/how-to-fix-the-most-annoying-things-in-windows-10 by Eric Griffith
1. Partition the hard drive.[ you can do this using windows10 built in disk management]
suggestion:
Main partition: 300 GB -(for the operating system)
2nd partition: 300 GB -(for personal files)
3rd partition: 300 GB -(for media/videos etc.)
[1] http://www.onmsft.com/news/create-hard-drive-partitions-windows-10
[2] https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-manage-your-disks-using-disk-management-utility>
[3] local:// ... \windows-partions-2018
[4] local:// ... \~Computer\final~
[5] http://www.eassos.com/blog/how-to-partition-an-external-hard-drive-windows-10/
2. Set Main Directories and Desktop Location
To avoid duplicate named folders and locations, tell Windows10 which drive to use for folders:
Documents
Music
Pictures
Videos
Settings> Default Save Locations> change where new content is saved>
You are totally free, however to choose the location and directory for the following folders:
3dObjects
Desktop
Downloads
[6] see
essay "Best Compromise Method to Assign/Set Windows Media Music and Video folders on a Partitioned Harddrive" https://jcpma.blogspot.com/2019/11/164.html
[7] http://www.tenforums.com Move Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 10 thread 74971
3. Install Classic Shell Start menu
Classic Shell Start menu version 4.3, gives a choice of older style ie, Windows 7 or previous start menu.
[8] http://www.classicshell.net/
4. Regain some control over file explorer's background color.
In Windows 7 and previous, one had the ability to change the color of the background of explorer to gray (or any color). With Windows10, the background is white. This can be irritating or feel harsh if you have to stare at the screen for long periods. I was unable to find a Desktop-Theme or a Registry-Adjustment to fix this. The closest fix i could find is a program called QTTabBar [9]. This app allows changing the background color, however, the bad news is it won't change the background color of other applications such as word documents, or pdf's or text editors. Youtube user RA MF has posted a qttabbar background color changing tutorial on the Youtube site [11]. (side note, sometimes I use a text editor called MadEdit [10]. This is an alternative to Notepad, and it default comes in a black background.)
[9] http://qttabbar.wikidot.com/
[10] http://madedit.sourceforge.net/wiki
[11] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAc5ZJhuyQc
5. Disable Unwanted Startup programs
launch Task Manager More Details> Startup tab> rt click the program & select Disable
[12] "Windows 10 quick tips: 11 ways to speed up your PC," by Preston Gralla Oct 11,2018 Computerworld
[13] Change which apps run automatically at startup in Windows 10. http://www.microsoft.com link id 521839
[14] How to Remove Windows 10 Startup Programs http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/author/martyn-casserly/ 24 oct 2018
6. Paging File Size
A Paging File is an amount of hard drive space set aside for data spillage, when the RAM becomes full. On my 32-bit Windows7 machine, it is set as minimum approx 3GB and same for maximum.
The options and opinions for a 64-bit Windows10 machine include:
-Let Windows decide (Perhaps this option will save you the most disk space)
-Set a minimum and maximum ,eg, 4GB and 6GB
-Set an identical minimum and maximum, eg 2GB and 2GB
(For the time being, I have opted for 7GB and 7GB)
[15] https://www.nextofwindows.com/the-page-file-guide-for-windows-7-8-1-and-10
[16] https://www.pcgamer.com/what-are-page-and-swap-files-and-how-big-should-they-be/
[17] http://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Make-Windows-10-performance-sing-by-tweaking-RAM-service-settings
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/8xuknr/16gb_ram_windows_10_pagefile_changing_back_to/
[19] https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/83783-pagefile-what-should-set-too.html
[20] https://win10faq.com/how-to-use-your-hard-drive-as-ram-in-windows-10/
[21] https://www.winhelp.us/set-paging-file-to-a-fixed-size-in-windows.html
[22] https://m.windowscentral.com/15-tips-increase-performance-windows-10 author: Mauro Huculak 28 Dec 2017
7. Choose Desktop Icons
Windows10 let you choose upto five desktop icons:
-This PC (aka My Computer)
-Recycle Bin
-User's Files
-Network
-Control Panel
Access this via searchterm "Desktop icon settings"
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8. Activate System Restore.
Some computers may not have System Restore active. If you only set one restore point, it may turn out to be the best thing you can do. Matt Elliott says a restore point should be allotted 2-3% of disk drive space.
System Properties> System Protection tab> Create A Restore Point
[23] http://www.techadvisory.org/2018/05/what-to-tweak-when-setting-up-windows-10/
[24] https://m.windowscentral.com/windows-10-help/ author: Mauro Huculak 28 Dec 2017
[25] https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/slow-computer-windows-10-fall-creators-update-fixed/
[37] 13 things to tweak when setting up a Windows 10 laptop by Matt Elliott May 3, 2018 of CNET, CBS Interactive Inc
9. Disable Animations
Windows10 animations can slow down your PC. Disable via
Ease of Access> Other options> Play animations in Windows
also,
Run dialog box and type "sysdm.cpl"> Advanced tab> Performance section> Settings button> Visual Effects tab
uncheck/check the animation choices to suit your taste
[26] https://www.askvg.com/master-tutorial-to-make-windows-10-super-fast/
[27] https://fossbytes.com/ 19 Tips & Tricks To Speed Up Windows 10 And Make It Faster August 8, 2018 author Aditya Tiwari
10. Adjust Folder Options
This PC> View tab in ribbon> Options
[28] https://www.askvg.com/master-tutorial-to-make-windows-10-super-fast/
[29] https://www.techjunkie.com/ How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide by William Sattelberg on June 20, 2018
11. Turn Off Search Indexing
search for "services.msc"> services app> indexing service(windows search)> click Stop
Use a standalone indexer when you need to: Everything by David Carpenter http://www.voidtools.com/
[30] Windows 10 quick tips: 10 ways to speed up your PC by Preston Gralla, Contributing Editor, Computerworld May 24, 2018
[31] https://www.techjunkie.com/ How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide by William Sattelberg on June 20, 2018
Reduce Search Indexing.
You can reduce the load on your computer by decreasing the number of places Windows10 performs Search Indexing.
In the search box, type "Indexing options"> click on "Modify"> uncheck the boxes/drives locations
[22] https://m.windowscentral.com/15-tips-increase-performance-windows-10 author: Mauro Huculak 28 Dec 2017
Set Windows Search to "manual" using Services Manager:
In a search box type "services.msc"> Services(Local)> Windows Search (set this to manual)
[other non-related items you may consider to set to manual are:
dmwappushsvc (telemetry and data collection)
Downloaded Maps Manager (if you do not use maps)
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
Windows Error Reporting Service]
[38] https://www.askvg.com/beginners-guide-to-configure-windows-10-services/ by Vishal Gupta
12. Choose Startup folder programs
The common startup folder, (for all users), is at this location
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
To open this folder, type shell:common startup
Place shortcuts to your desired startup programs, and place the shortcuts in this folder.
[32] https://www.thewindowsclub.com/make-programs-run-on-startup-windows
[39] https://tunecomp.net/ Windows 10 Startup Folder Location. Add A Program To Startup In Windows 10 by user "tune" Jan.01, 2018
[40] https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-tip-how-to-disable-unwanted-startup-programs
by Ed Bott Dec.15, 2017
13. Disable, homegroupService (sharing files and printers), and wallpaper-slideshow to lighten your computer.
Run Dialog> "services.msc"> Windows Services> HomeGroupListener HomeGroupProvicer>StartupType> Disable
Settings> Personalization> Background> Disable Slideshow
14. how to find your windows10 version
In the search dialog type "winver" > then, run the app
15. Location of SendTo Menu
When you rt mouse click on a file, the sendto menu gives choices of apps to send the file to etc, for instance a text editor.
Placing a shortcut to an app in the SendTo Menu folder will add that choice.
In Windows10, the location is:
C:Users\ username\ AppData\ Roaming\ Microsoft\ Windows\ SendTo
16. Create A USB recovery drive
Windows10 has a feature to create a USB drive to help get your laptop back in running order with work system files.
You will need as in this case a 16GB usb drive.
Settings> type in "create a recovery drive"
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17. Create a Password Reset Disk
Like previous Windows versions, you can create a USB drive to use in the event you forget your login password.
Settings> type in "create a password reset disk"
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18. Disable Data collection/telemetry
Windows Defender sends info to Microsoft on a regular basis. Vishal Gupta has a guide on how to disable this:
https://www.askvg.com/windows-10-tip-disable-data-collection-and-telemetry-in-windows-defender/
19. Reduce the boot delay timeout
The default boot delay of 30 seconds can be set to 10 seconds, (obviously saving you 20 seconds at boot).
type "msconfig" in the run-box> system configuration dialog> boot tab> change the value to 10
[17] http://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Make-Windows-10-performance-sing-by-tweaking-RAM-service-settings by Ed Tittel
20. disable/uninstall oneDrive
Since I do not use OneDrive, I tried to disable it by modifying the registry and also by altering the group-policy-editor. All attempts failed as when a particular screenshot program I use would call up the OneDrive file share prompt after each screenshot. Thus I uninstalled it.
"Uninstall or change a program"> highlight Microsoft OneDrive and uninstall it.
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21. Change the thickness of the cursor
You can make the cursor thicker to make it easier on the eyes,
under settings type in "other options"> visual options> cursor thickness
[33] 8 ways to make Windows 10 easier on the eyes
by Juian Prokaza April 17, 2018 http://home.bt.com/author/julian-prokaza-31363879686481
22. prevent sticky keys from activating.
Sticky Keys is a feature to use keyboard shortcuts by pressing one key at a time. Prevent this feature by:
in settings type "ease of access center"> "make the keyboard easier to use"> uncheck the box for "turn on sticky keys"
[34] https://www.pcmag.com/article/351494/how-to-fix-the-most-annoying-things-in-windows-10 by Eric Griffith
23. Opt for a moderate UAC alert
The UAC's purpose is to prompt you for administrative rights when installing software. Choose the slider position of second from the bottom so you benefit from a level of protection without frequent alerts.
In the search box type "uac"> "change user acccount control settings"
[34] https://www.pcmag.com/article/351494/how-to-fix-the-most-annoying-things-in-windows-10 by Eric Griffith
24. Toggle diagnostics feedback to "basic"
Under settings or Cortana, type in "feedback privacy settings"> Feedback & diagnostics> toggle the diagnostic data feedback to "basic" level (instead of "full")
25. Change default browser to firefox.
This is how you change your default browser to Firefox (or other):
Settings> System> Default Apps (scroll to the one you want, eg, Firefox, and click on it)
[34] https://www.pcmag.com/article/351494/how-to-fix-the-most-annoying-things-in-windows-10 by Eric Griffith
26. Disable SMB 1.0
Disable the insecure SMB 1.0 and any other Win32 windows features of your choice by:
type in settings "control panel"> programs and features> then on the left menu click on "Turn Windows features on or off">
this pops up a check box dialog and you can check or uncheck them.
[35] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2018/jan/18/how-can-i-remove-unwanted-apps-from-windows-10 by Jack Schofield
27. Disable wallpaper slide-show
This may speed up Windows10
Settings> Personalization> Background> Disable slideshow
[36] https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/slow-computer-windows-10-fall-creators-update-fixed/ By Alexandra Bagratian
28. Toggle Nearby Sharing off
You can turn Nearby Sharing on or off here:
Settings> System> Shared experiences
Choices for sharing on include "Everyone nearby" or "My Devices Only"
[37] 13 things to tweak when setting up a Windows 10 laptop by Matt Elliott May 3, 2018 of CNET, CBS Interactive Inc
29. Show file name extensions
By default Windows10 file explorer hides the extension of filenames. Show them by checking a box here:
Open File Explorer (any folder)> on the top menu click "view"> on the top right, check the box "File Name Extensions"
[37] 13 things to tweak when setting up a Windows 10 laptop by Matt Elliott May 3, 2018 of CNET, CBS Interactive Inc
29. Rt-click each live tile and TurnLiveTileOff (fossbytes)
You can turn off the live tiles of your start menu. method 1, enable the clause via group policy editor:
In searchbox type "gpedit.msc"> then follow this pass to enable the clause. User Configuration> Administrative templates> Start menu and task bar> Notifications> Turn off tile notifications
method 2 requires more work but does not involve the group policy editor. Disable the live tile manually for each app:
Start> rt-click a live tile> More> Turn live tile off.
[27] https://fossbytes.com/ 19 Tips & Tricks To Speed Up Windows 10 And Make It Faster August 8, 2018 author Aditya Tiwari
30. Toggle transparency off
Transparency effects in Windows will slow down your processor. You can disable it via:
Settings> Personalization> Themes Setting> Colors> More options> toggle the Transparency Effects switch to "off"
[29] https://www.techjunkie.com/ How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide by William Sattelberg on June 20, 2018
31. Change active hours
My guess is that Active Hours is the time of day where Windows10 promises not to restart/reboot your computer. I guess these reboots are necessary after OS updates. You get to set up to an 18 hours segment of a day telling Windows not to auto-restart during those hours.
Settings> click on "Update and Security"> under the section Update Settings, click on "Change active hours"
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[29] https://www.techjunkie.com/ How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide by William Sattelberg on June 20, 2018
32. Free up space
Windows10 has an automated cleaner feature called Storage sense.
Insettings type in "storage"> go to Storage sense and toggle on/off
[27] https://fossbytes.com/ 19 Tips & Tricks To Speed Up Windows 10 And Make It Faster August 8, 2018 author Aditya Tiwari
[41] https://www.popsci.com/diy title: 4 hidden Windows tweaks to speed up your computer author: David Nield August 15, 2017
[12] "Windows 10 quick tips: 11 ways to speed up your PC," by Preston Gralla Oct 11,2018 Computerworld
33. Create a shortcut to shutdown
William Sattelberg gives instructions on creating a shortcut to "shutdown" Windows in 1 simple step.
On an unoccupied patch of your desktop, rt-click and choose "create shortcut"> type this in the field "%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 0"> then finally, give your shortcut a name.
[31] https://www.techjunkie.com/ How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide by William Sattelberg on June 20, 2018
34. Tweak ms-gamebar settings dialogue
Windows10 Game bar lets you record clips of video games. Adjust the setttings by
Settings> click on "Gaming"> go to the left column and click on "Game bar"
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