This is my personal reference guide for a Windows 10 installation, read carefully since it removes a lot of windows features and functionality, sentences started with '>' are machine specific!
> I require a USB Wifi adapter, so first step is to install its driver.
After installation, install:
Firefox with the following extensions
+ UBlock Origin Firefox Extension
+ set Firefox to delete data after closing.
Firefox with the following extensions
+ UBlock Origin Firefox Extension
+ set Firefox to delete data after closing.
> ThrotleStop to prevent excessive CPU usage, requires:
+ Visual C++ Redits 2013 x64
+ Visual C++ Redits 2013 x86
+ Visual C++ Redits 2013 x86
Winrar (use firefox to download it)
Open Shell, Classic Shell Reborn - will make access stuff easier link
+ load previous saved configuration .xml file
Uninstall using search in taskbar:
OneDrive
Skype App
OneDrive
Skype App
Those apps are always using resources which takes time when tweaking.
Disable Windows Defender
(using search bar) Local Group Policy Editor > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus :
Turn Off Windows Defender : enabled
Regedit alternative : \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
create new DWORD (32bit)
name : DisableAntiSpyware
value : 1
Connect to internet, let windows update, it will update drivers in the background, run AppNetworkCounter (portable app link ) to monitor applications using internet bandwidth.
Run windows update, select all updates required, restart only after applications no longer using bandwidth.
While its updating customize windows, do not install applications.
Remove uploads/windows torrenting updates:
Settings > Network & Internet > Change connection properties > set as metered connection
(update 19042.630) After setting a connection as metered Windows Update will no longer update drivers in the background, requires manual check for updates.
To Add My Computer icon to Desktop
right click on the Desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop Icon settings
Change the size of text, apps, and other item:
right click on the Desktop > Display Settings > Scale and layout
Apps to install:
Winrar
Open Shell
Core 0 clock
Core 0 T0 usage
CPU Package temperature
CPU Package temperature
CPU Package power
Current DL Rate
Moo0 System Monitor (optional to HWiNFO64)ThrotleStop (require Visual C++ 2013 x86 redist) search this blog
Taskbar tweaks
right click > Search > Show search icon
right click > Show Cortana button
right click > Show Taskview button
tweak taskbar, right click on it, choose settings, then:
combine taskbar : only when full
notification area >> Select which icons appear on the taskbar >> Always show all
turn system icons on or off >> add the Touch Keyboard
right click > Show Cortana button
right click > Show Taskview button
tweak taskbar, right click on it, choose settings, then:
combine taskbar : only when full
notification area >> Select which icons appear on the taskbar >> Always show all
turn system icons on or off >> add the Touch Keyboard
unpin Store, Mail and Edge from taskbar
tweak Region settings:
type Region in search bar > Related settings > Additional date, time & regional settings > Region (Change date time or number formats) > Format : Portuguese (Portugal)
choose Portuguese
Windows Explorer tweaks
to disable groups, in view tab, click on Group by None
tweak windows explorer in View >> Options >> General :
disable Show recently used files...
disable Show frequently used ....
tweak windows explorer in View >> Options >> View :
Hidden files and folders > Show hidden files, folders and drives
Hidden files and folders > Show hidden files, folders and drives
toggle Hide empty drives
toggle Hide extensions of known file types
toggle Use check boxes to select items
tweak windows explorer in View >> Options >> Search :
enable Don't use the index when searching....
to fix the amount of stuff displayed on tree part, download folder registry shortcuts, then run:
Disable 3D Objects Folder Win10 64
Disable Documents Folder Win10 64
Disable Libraries Folder Win10 64
Disable Music Folder Win10 64
Disable Pictures Folder Win10 64
Disable Videos Folder Win10 64
Disable Remote Assistance
Settings > System > About > System Protection > Remote
Command prompt tweak
to access "Command prompt properties", launch cmd.exe and right click the top left thumbnail and chose Properties
set the font size (22), the color and the window transparency
Disable Task View
right click the taskbar >> uncheck Show Taskview button
Launch regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
create new key : MultiTaskingView
create new key: AllUpView
end result : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MultitaskingView\AllUpView
create new REG_DWORD : Enabled, set it to 0
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
create new key : MultiTaskingView
create new key: AllUpView
end result : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MultitaskingView\AllUpView
create new REG_DWORD : Enabled, set it to 0
Remove Windows Store Apps
download and use O&O AppBuster link
Remove all apps with AppBuster
Remove all apps with AppBuster
Skype App if not uninstalled might give an error if selected
Since all apps are removed and there are no intentions of using apps, Time Broker service can be disabled as well. Open services.msc or type services in searchUI and disable Time Broker service, if the option is disabled then :
open regedit, go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TimeBrokerSvc
and modify Start key from 3 to 4
Note: some pages relate TimeBroker service with %windir%\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe, however RuntimeBroker is required for other windows functions.
Since all apps are removed and there are no intentions of using apps, Time Broker service can be disabled as well. Open services.msc or type services in searchUI and disable Time Broker service, if the option is disabled then :
open regedit, go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TimeBrokerSvc
and modify Start key from 3 to 4
Note: some pages relate TimeBroker service with %windir%\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe, however RuntimeBroker is required for other windows functions.
Remove Windows Features
Control Panel >> Programs and features >> Turn Windows Features on or off
or type Apps & Features in taskbar and select Program and features link
Keep .net
Keep powershell 2.0
remove all else
Disable Search History
(using searchbar) type "Search permission and history", toggle (disable) My Device History, clean it as well
Services to be removed from windows 10 (use the utility to disable them)
AVCTP : for Bluetooth Audio Device or Wireless Headphones.
BitLocker Drive Encryption : for BitLocker storage encryption.
Bluetooth Support for any Bluetooth device.
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry: for Feedback, Telemetry and Data Collection.
Diagnostic Tracking Service: it will turn off Telemetry and Data Collection.
Distributed Link Tracking Client: if you don’t need to use ANY network.
Downloaded Maps Manager: for Bing Maps app.
File History : for Windows Backup or System Restore.
IP Helper: for IPv6 connection.
Infrared monitor service: for file transfer via infrared devices.
Internet Connection Sharing: it is an old service that can be disabled.
Netlogon: for domain controller environment.
Payments and NFC/SE Manager : like the service name says
Parental Control: for Parental Control feature.
Print Spooler: for using Printer.
Program Compatibility Assistant Service: for Compatibility Mode though.
Remote Registry: disable it.
Secondary Logon: disable it.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: for Workgroup network.
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service: for touch devices.
Windows Error Reporting Service: for sending error reports.
Windows Image Acquisition: for Scanners.
Windows Camera Frame Server: for webcam or an integrated camera.
Windows Insider Service: for the Windows Insider Program.
Windows Search: for Windows Search and Indexing.
Turn Off desktop gadgets : enabled
Turn Off unsolicited network traffic(...) : enabled
Turn off Automatic Download and Update of Map Data : enabled
Enables or disables (...) : DISABLED
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Cloud Content
Do not show Windows tips : enabled
Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences : enabled
Manually fully update windows, including driver updates, and then:
BitLocker Drive Encryption : for BitLocker storage encryption.
Bluetooth Support for any Bluetooth device.
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry: for Feedback, Telemetry and Data Collection.
Diagnostic Tracking Service: it will turn off Telemetry and Data Collection.
Distributed Link Tracking Client: if you don’t need to use ANY network.
Downloaded Maps Manager: for Bing Maps app.
File History : for Windows Backup or System Restore.
IP Helper: for IPv6 connection.
Infrared monitor service: for file transfer via infrared devices.
Internet Connection Sharing: it is an old service that can be disabled.
Netlogon: for domain controller environment.
Payments and NFC/SE Manager : like the service name says
Parental Control: for Parental Control feature.
Print Spooler: for using Printer.
Program Compatibility Assistant Service: for Compatibility Mode though.
Remote Registry: disable it.
Secondary Logon: disable it.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: for Workgroup network.
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service: for touch devices.
Windows Error Reporting Service: for sending error reports.
Windows Image Acquisition: for Scanners.
Windows Camera Frame Server: for webcam or an integrated camera.
Windows Insider Service: for the Windows Insider Program.
Windows Search: for Windows Search and Indexing.
Disable Windows Store
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Store
Turn Off the Store Application : enabled
Turn Off the Store Application : enabled
Disable Desktop gadgets
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop gadgetsTurn Off desktop gadgets : enabled
Disable Maps
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration ->
Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> MapsTurn Off unsolicited network traffic(...) : enabled
Turn off Automatic Download and Update of Map Data : enabled
Disable Windows Game REC
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration ->
Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Game Recording and BroadcastingEnables or disables (...) : DISABLED
Disable Windows Messenger
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration ->
Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Messenger
Do not automatically start Windows Messenger(...) : enabled
Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run : enabled
Do not automatically start Windows Messenger(...) : enabled
Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run : enabled
Disable Cloud Content
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Cloud Content
Do not show Windows tips : enabled
Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences : enabled
Disable Automatic Updates
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Updates :
Configure Automatic Updates -> double click -> disabled
Disable Cortana
Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Search:
Allow Cortana -> double click -> disabled
Note: even after disabling Cortana, searchui still runs
> Wireless Power Saving
Increase battery life on laptop reducing wireless power and speed:
tweak windows power profile: Control Panel >> Power
tweak Intel Wireless for maximum battery: Device Manager >> Network adapters >> Intel Dual Band (...) >> Advanced
channel width = 20Mhz
HT mode : disabled (only 802.11a and 802.11b)
tweak windows power profile: Control Panel >> Power
tweak Intel Wireless for maximum battery: Device Manager >> Network adapters >> Intel Dual Band (...) >> Advanced
channel width = 20Mhz
HT mode : disabled (only 802.11a and 802.11b)
Roaming Aggressiveness : Lowest (will change of AP only if very low signal)
Transmit power : Medium or Medium-low
Disable all Xbox functions
Improve performance by disabling all gaming and Xbox functions:
Settings -> Gaming :Gaming bar -> Off
Captures -> Off
Record Audio -> Off
Broadcasting -> Off
Game Mode -> Off
stop and disable all Xbox services
Disable Windows Search/Indexing
Open Services, search for Windows Search, stop and disable the service. This does not affect searchUI or classic menu search.
Remove Windows Search cache, open folder %ProgramData%\Microsoft , then delete folder Search
Disable Windows Compatibility Appraiser
Open Task Scheduler -> Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Application Experience
disable all tasks
then open regedit.ext
Navigate to : Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\TelemetryController
rename it to TelemetryControllerOLD or X or something else
Disable Windows Timeline / History, open Group Policy Editor, navigate to :
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> OS Policies
Enables Activity Feed : disabled
To disable keyboard language shortcuts
Go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced keyboard Settings > Language bar options > Advanced Key Settings TAB, remove every key sequence
To disable Typing insights
go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Typing Insights > disable
To disable SwiftKey
go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Suggestions and auto-corrections > disable
To remove other keyboards
go to Settings > Time & Language > Language > Preferred Languages
click on the language, choose options, in the Keyboards part, add the correct keyboard and delete all the others.
To disable Hibernate mode
launch cmd.exe with administrator privileges, and use the command:
powercfg -h off
note: this should delete (windows drive)\hiberfill.sys
Maintenance
Reducing windows size, using BleachBit app and windows own tools:
Explorer -> This PC -> choose properties over the windows installation partition and choose Disk Cleanup
reducing windows size by cleaning up WinSxs folder:
run Command Prompt as administrator and run :
dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
and then run:
dism /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
to set a specific GPU mode for an application:
Settings -> System -> Display -> Graphics settings -> Classic App -> Browse:
choose the .exe file of the game
Options -> High Performance
Display all power plans
open command prompt and use the commands bellow:
Power saver :
powercfg -duplicatescheme a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a
Balanced :
powercfg -duplicatescheme 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e
High Performance :
powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c
Ultimate Performance - Windows 10 build 17101 and later:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
powercfg -duplicatescheme a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a
Balanced :
powercfg -duplicatescheme 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e
High Performance :
powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c
Ultimate Performance - Windows 10 build 17101 and later:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
fine tune windows power options with Windows power settings utility PowerSettingsExplorer :
show Display >> Dim display after
select a power plan, then use the utility to se the default brightness levels:
Power saver >> Display Brightness AC 30, DC 30
Power saver >> Dimmed Display Brightness AC 120, DC 120 (seconds)
Restore windows photo viewer
use the reg file to enable it, forum post here link
then set the default application for pictures
notable mentions of applications to install:
Moo0 System Monitor - features a nice bar with CPU usages, process usages, disk IO, download link
mpv media player - alternative to MPC-BE, download link
MPC-BE, Media Player Classic - Black Edition - the usual player, download link
qBitTorrent - favorite torrent client, download link
Windows Update MiniTool - didn't work on some computers, download link
treeSize (portable) nice utility to check folder sizes, download link
tidytabs - add tabs to any application, download link
LinuxReader - to have access to ext4 file system, download link
notepad++ - a very lightweight (less then 5Mb) text editor, download link
paint.net - starts faster then gimp, works great , download link
speedCrunch - a better calculator then calc, download link
Win10_BrightnessSlider - adds a brightness slider to the taskbar(saves 1 click) , download link
RoboIntern - a simple interface TaskScheduler with delay after start, download link
get wallpapers from NomadBSD link
software to avoid:
BrightExplorer (tested 1.5.0) - its junk compared with tidytabs
Shutter Lite (den4b) - doesn't support to add tasks for when windows starts
AlterPDF - requires microsoft windows Print Spooler service to be active
AlterPDF - requires microsoft windows Print Spooler service to be active
Comments
Post a Comment