Windows 10 - Tips and Tweaks

Discussion in 'Operating Systems' started by Extraordinary, Jul 30, 2015.

  1. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    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

    [​IMG]

    Hide Updates

    Uninstall the offending update or driver, then run this tool
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930

    [​IMG]

    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)

    [​IMG]

    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

    [​IMG]

    Replacement Start Menus

    StartisBack++

    http://www.startisback.com/#download-tab

    Start10
    https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/

    Classic Shell
    http://www.classicshell.net/

    [​IMG]

    Check Windows Build string


    From Elevated CMD:
    Code:
    reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" | findstr BuildLabEx
    [​IMG]

    Delete Windows.old folder after upgrading

    Right Click your C: > Properties > Disk Clean-up > Clean-up System Files

    [​IMG]

    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/

    [​IMG]

    Where is the Windows Update panel gone from Control Panel?

    Start > Settings > Update and Security

    [​IMG]

    Bring back F8 Safemode options

    From Elevated CMD:

    Enable:
    Code:
    bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
    Disable:
    Code:
    bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard
    [​IMG]

    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
    [​IMG]

    Add Group Policy to Windows 10 Home

    (Not all Pro policies are available)


    Download
    http://drudger.deviantart.com/art/Add-GPEDIT-msc-215792914

    [​IMG]

    Completely Remove OneDrive

    Instructions here

    (Credit to Dutchman01 - MDL Forums)

    [​IMG]

    How to remove all bundled apps in Windows 10

    http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-remove-all-bundled-apps-in-windows-10/

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  2. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    Download Windows 10 ISO Direct from Microsoft

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO/


    [​IMG]


    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)


    [​IMG]


    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

    [​IMG]


    Install .cab file update via Right Click > Install


    http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/66170-cab-file-add-install-context-menu-windows-10-a.html

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2016
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  3. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    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
    [​IMG]


    Add "Command Prompt (Admin)" to Right click


    Code:
    https://pastebin.com/xmaSm8Sq
    Credit MDL

    [​IMG]


    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/

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2017
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  4. DesGaizu

    DesGaizu Ancient Guru

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  5. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    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
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2015
  6. eclap

    eclap Banned

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    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).
     
  7. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    My type of midday lol - cheers!
     
  8. mR Yellow

    mR Yellow Ancient Guru

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    I've bookmarked this thread for future reference.

    @ Extraordinary (or anybody), can you please post the 29 July build string?
     
  9. mR Yellow

    mR Yellow Ancient Guru

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    I've bookmarked this thread! Thanks EO

    Can someone please post the build string for version released 29 July?

    Sorry for the double post.
     
  10. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    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
     

  11. mR Yellow

    mR Yellow Ancient Guru

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    Thanks, just wanted someone to confirm that the 10240 insider build was indeed RTM.
     
  12. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    Yup :)
     
  13. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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  14. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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  15. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    StartIsBack++ can disable Cortana, and uninstall just about all apps I think

    It has an uninstall option for them all anyway
     

  16. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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  17. Darren Hodgson

    Darren Hodgson Ancient Guru

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    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?
     
  18. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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    Where is this option I can't seem to find it in startisback++ ?
     
  19. mR Yellow

    mR Yellow Ancient Guru

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    BTW I hate the quick access view when explore.
     
  20. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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    Yep installed classic shell or better still startisback++ its all customisable from there and give you back a customised classic start menu :)
     

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