Thought we should have one thread for all the different tips, tweaks and hacks scattered about the forum for Windows 10, be easier to find them here I`ll add to this post as and when we discover more Staff, feel welcome to add to the reserved posts below too if you find something new ______________________________________________ Disable Defender (Pro and Enterprise) RUN: gpedit.msc Computer configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender > Turn Off Windows Defender > Enable that setting Hide Updates Uninstall the offending update or driver, then run this tool https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930 Prevent Automatic Updates (Pro and Enterprise) RUN: gpedit.msc Computer configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates > Enable that setting > Choose Option 2 (Notify for download and notify for install) Activating a clean install First you MUST run an upgrade of Windows 10 over your Genuine Windows 7 or 8.1, ensure 10 is online and activated after the upgrade, then you can clean install Windows 10 from USB or any other method, without the need for a product key, once the clean install boots and is online, it should automatically activate (Servers being hammered willing) Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate = Windows 10 Pro Windows 7 Home Basic > Home Premium = Windows 10 Home Windows 8.1 Pro = Windows 10 Pro Windows 8.1 Core = Windows 10 Home Replacement Start Menus StartisBack++ http://www.startisback.com/#download-tab Start10 https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/ Classic Shell http://www.classicshell.net/ Check Windows Build string From Elevated CMD: Code: reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" | findstr BuildLabEx Delete Windows.old folder after upgrading Right Click your C: > Properties > Disk Clean-up > Clean-up System Files Create your own Windows 10 ISO / Install Media Download and run the Media Creation Tool from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 Either save as ISO to create a USB stick, or actually upgrade your 7 or 8.1 machine directly from this tool Yes, this method can replace the need to wait for Windows Update to begin the upgrade What to use to create the bootable USB? https://rufus.akeo.ie/ Where is the Windows Update panel gone from Control Panel? Start > Settings > Update and Security Bring back F8 Safemode options From Elevated CMD: Enable: Code: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy Disable: Code: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard Add Win32 screen resolution back to Right Click Download and run the reg file here (Credit to the dev - sorry forgotten where I found this) Code: https://mega.nz/#!bBolXbBA!eEEX3VFBRdZ-xp3Wvl6N8T2BZ8zvVWF0L1eqQ75jH3Q Add Group Policy to Windows 10 Home (Not all Pro policies are available) Download http://drudger.deviantart.com/art/Add-GPEDIT-msc-215792914 Completely Remove OneDrive Instructions here (Credit to Dutchman01 - MDL Forums) How to remove all bundled apps in Windows 10 http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-remove-all-bundled-apps-in-windows-10/
Download Windows 10 ISO Direct from Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO/ Enable Windows-7 like UAC prompt in Windows 10 Anniversary Update http://winaero.com/blog/enable-windows-7-like-uac-prompt-in-windows-10-anniversary-update/ (This also fixes the UAC prompt opening behind open windows bug - credit to EdKiefer for finding this) Move clock to the end of the taskbar in Windows 10 http://winaero.com/blog/move-clock-to-the-end-of-the-taskbar-in-windows-10/ Thanks to EdKiefer for finding this Install .cab file update via Right Click > Install http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/66170-cab-file-add-install-context-menu-windows-10-a.html
Creators Update RS2 (Build 15063) specific tweaks -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Add Classic Control Panel and other items back to Win-X menu (Right click start button menu) Win-X Menu Editor Code: http://winaero.com/comment.php?comment.news.30 Add "Command Prompt (Admin)" to Right click Code: https://pastebin.com/xmaSm8Sq Credit MDL Set Split Threshold for Svchost in Windows 10 If you open the Details tab of the Task Manager in Windows 10 Creators Update, you will be surprised to see a huge number of instances of the svchost.exe process. Code: http://winaero.com/blog/set-split-threshold-svchost-windows-10/
https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/3f10k0/things_to_removedisable_in_windows_10/ A good little guide for stuff to turn off/remove ect Also black text doesn't show up very well on gurus dark theme :3
Thanks, yea I see what you mean, the text is default black, but when using bold it looks even darker Not really much I can do, or it will look too light on the other themes EDIT - Actually, looking at the dark theme, for some reason, it has turned some bold text black, and some normal text black I have only changed the colour of the red text, all the rest is default/bold only - must be a dark theme bug
Thanks Extraordinary, the Safe Mode F8 is a must tweak, also the update and defender tweaks. Kudos, I'm raising a glass of wine to you (it's only just past midday, oops).
I've bookmarked this thread for future reference. @ Extraordinary (or anybody), can you please post the 29 July build string?
I've bookmarked this thread! Thanks EO Can someone please post the build string for version released 29 July? Sorry for the double post.
10240.16384.th1.150709-1700 was the original base image of Insiders, RTM, Partners and July 29th After updates it becomes (from my machine) 10240.16393.amd64fre.th1_st1.150717-1719 For now, but that will continue to change as we get more updates
Lots of useful tweaks here too http://winaero.com/blog/category/windows-10/ also they have an app out as well that allows you to tweak a lot of stuff Winaero Tweaker download it here http://winaero.com/download.php?view.1796
tried this tweak http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-specific-bundled-app-in-windows-10-individually/ to remove Cortana but it cant be removed as its a part of windows itself. I managed to remove the solitaire package and the 3D builder game too
StartIsBack++ can disable Cortana, and uninstall just about all apps I think It has an uninstall option for them all anyway
Just removed all Windows 10 Modern Apps that can be removed. I hate them. The apps left here can not be removed from the system. Spoiler Here is how to do it http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-remove-all-bundled-apps-in-windows-10/
Does anyone know of a way of increasing the number of Most Used items in the Start menu from its apparent default maximum of 6 to, say, 10?
Yep installed classic shell or better still startisback++ its all customisable from there and give you back a customised classic start menu