Windows 10 Tweaks and Fixes (Index post #1)

I don't know, I will dig up that strange app caching and launching for a possible remedy on future Windows releases. I don't want feature to be turned, because it will affect my older laptop will less CPU power and HDD. Those cmd line switches look exactly like Linux shutdown and reboot option to power off ASAP.
If you like to switch between power plans based on power source use PowerPlan Switcher Win32 or UWP app. I installed that UWP app on sister's lappie and so far no slowdown at startup. I think UWP apps are kind of trade-off. My PCs still use Win32 based POwerplan swicher.

 

None should need 3rd party apps for major use of OS. This will go from worse to worse. A destroyed/damaged OS!!

 

I just realized today that if we set the Configure Automatic Update group policy to Disabled, we will get the exact same functionality that we had in Windows 7 (manual download/manual install/ no notifications!!).



It is possible that this is some new change Microsoft pushed in creators update and no one realized yet. Also, option 2 has changed from "Notify for download and notify for install" to "Notify for download and auto install."

@Phoenix

 

Yes, that is correct. I also do a few extra steps to be OCD about it so nothing can sneak in.

 

So how do you update Windows then (at least the security updates)?

 

Simple. I don't. They are unnecessary. I stopped allowing Micro$uck to run updates on my systems about 5 years ago. They mess things up far more than they fix. I do not even use antivirus software and I have had no issues with viruses or malware for several years. The last time I had a problem was on a system running fully updated security software, LOL.

But, you can use a third-party utility if you feel compelled to do so. The problem with Windoze OS X is they bundle crap in dirty bombs and poop them out on Patch Tuesday and you never know what kind of filth is in the package. They don't want you to know what kind of feces they are sneaking in behind your back.

Here is a good tool you can use if you are worried about "security" and believe Micro$loth actually cares. This will put you in the driver's seat instead of allowing them to be your nanny spy. I have used it and it works well. Just beware, because it doesn't fix the Patch Tuesday dirty bomb problem. Always be ready to restore a known good Macrium Reflect image if you don't like the outcome from applying an update. Never update anything if you don't have a clean drive image to restore.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_update_minitool.html

 

I've been using this tool for a year now. It is the best tool as I don't get forced into downloading updates and drivers I don't need. One time I had a newer driver version installed but Microsoft kept insisting that their driver is newer (with lower numbers ). The release date was newer cz they got it a year later.

Now I got a way to disable the notifications so I can do updates once a month instead of constant nags.

 

And never ever update on Patch Tuesday, even if you use windows update minitool. Or prefer standalone patches.

 

Personally, I like the correction above best.

 

Nice to know, however that doesn't help me right now. I ran win update manually to check for updates and it started downloading the Fall Cremators Update. I was able to pause it, but that "thing" will still end up on my computer in 30 days and I don't want it yet. If I cant stop that travesty from installing, do I have to redo all the tweaks listed here again? Btw I dont have any disk images saved.

 

Macrium Reflect Installation/Usage Guide

 

Thanks @Phoenix. Besides backing, any tips for what to do before/after creator's update installs? I kinda shot myself in the foot with that

 

1) Crate an image using Macrium Reflect using the above guide just in case you wanna go back

2) Undo all the tweaks we changed in O&O ShutUp 10 then reboot. There is an option from the top left menu to revert back all settings to stock

3) Install Fall Creators Update

4) Run O&O Shutup 10, then load the following config file to have it configured with my recommended way: http://www.mediafire.com/file/slnb45hpv1jjwpw/ooshutup10.cfg

5) Reboot when prompted

6) Run O&O ShutUp10 again and click REVERT to revert back Telemetry 3 of 3 which Windows probably re-enabled then reboot again

Done

 

Sweet. Thanks again for the help!

 

Hi, @Phoenix. How do I install the Windows 7 calculator in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? and can it be put in Spanish?

 

It's not out yet, once it is I will post it.

and no Spanish Amigo. English only

 

How to enable Windows Sonic

 

Already enabled for better audio experience on mediocre speakers and headphones.
On Nahimic or Sound Blaster based audio solutions Windows Sonic produces low volume when 7.1 virtual surround is enabled. YOU must tweak the Bass Boost frequency, Headphone Virtualisation (Jazz or Studio) and set audio sampling rate to 24bit at 96kHz or 192kHz

 

How to Block Your Neighbor’s Wi-Fi Network From Appearing on Windows

 

This works on Windows 7 too (just checked). Now if ms morons had provided the GUI way for blacklisting those wi-fi networks right from the wi-fi window then it would have been 'nice new tool brought by win10 update'. But in that case they wouldn't have been morons... for 3rd year in a row. That is how you bring new good product, by making it better instead of doing 10 steps back and changing everything for the sake of change.
P.S. Still thanks for this hack. Might use it some day and definitely save commands for that.

 

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this and I didn't see it on the list, but WDP looks like an alternate version of O&O Shutup10 that is slightly better categorized and gives slightly better explanations for what you are disabling.

https://www.ghacks.net/2017/06/19/windows-10-privacy-wpd/

 

Here is a fix they should work on. The world would be a better place without UWP filth.

Dear Microsoft: It's time to bring your PC games to Steam

 

ESET's NOD32 Antivirus' HTTP Scanner blocked the URL for WPD.



ESET has been known to have 0 false positives or very little for many years. Proof: False Positives Latest Test

Thus, not coming near this with a 10 foot pole.

I will only stick to O&O ShutUp10 because ironically, they are a Micro$h4ft Partner and their software never breaks anything nor does anything suspicious :d

 

How to disable the lock screen

Copy/paste the following text in a text notepad then save the file with a .reg extension then double click on it to merge it with your registry

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization]
"NoLockScreen"=dword:00000001

 

Winaero Tweaker v0.9

Fixes & Improvements

• Fixed: The "Command Prompt as Administrator" and "PowerShell as Administrator" menus were not working in Windows 7.
• Fixed: The "Wallpaper location" context menu wasn't working in Windows 7.
• Fixed: The "Elevated Shortcut" feature wasn't working in Windows 7.
• Fixed: The Control Panel context menu wasn't working in Windows 8/8.1.
• Fixed: The "Disable wide context menus" feature was reporting invalid status. Also, I've added a "Restart Explorer" requirement.
• Fixed: The default file name template "Winaero Tweaker_8/17/2017.ini" in Import/Export was changed to "Winaero Tweaker_8.17.2017.ini" for all languages and supported operating systems.
• Fixed: A "null reference" error message could appear after you remove "OneDrive" from the navigation pane.
• Updated: The System Font tweak now comes with a new design.

The following tweaks do not work in Windows 10 version 1703 and above:

• Updated: The "Enable new share pane" tweak is now removed for Windows 10 version 1703 and above.
• Updated: The "Enable the new OneDrive flyout" tweak is now removed for Windows 10 version 1703 and above.
• Updated: The "Enable new share page" tweak is now removed for Windows 10 version 1703 and above.
• Updated: The tweak "Disable Auto Reboot after Updates" is now removed for Windows 10 version 1709.

 

This is one of my favorite tweaking tools.

I wish I could say I liked Windows 10 even half as much. It sucks how much functionality Micro$loth keeps removing with every new flavor of Windows 10 feces.

 

did you see the amount of tweaks available? that's how bad Windows 10 is and needs to be tweaked and stripped down. I love the old Classic Alt+Tab which is much simpler with no preview.

 

Yeah, absolutely agree with you. I can't think of any word to describe it other than "pathetic" how crappy Windows 10 has become.

 

With new Alt+Tab you can close any UWP app or Win32 apps completely and everything cached in RAM is also freed up. I use it on my phone. Yeah Yeah its a meh! phone.
So, I discovered some hidden performance of W10 Creators and this will be applicable on newer builds as well. Generally I don't recommend cleaning the .Net assembly files weekly but do it every 3 months or 6 months before doing in-place upgrade of Windows 10.
Use Dism++ to clean up assembly files and CCleaner to cleanup .Net framework temp files.
Rebuild the assembly files using ngen eqi command. open cmd as admin.
For x86:
cd C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319
ngen eqi
For x64:
cd C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319
ngen eqi

 

How to find All Automatic Maintenance Tasks in Windows 10
"There are a number of other maintenance tasks configured to start automatically in Windows 10. You might be interested in finding them."

"When you are not using your PC, Windows 10 performs a number of maintenance tasks. These scheduled tasks are configured to run automatically out-of-the-box. One of them is Computer Maintenance. It is a complex task which performs a number of operations to keep your OS clean and configured properly. It performs various tasks like finding and fixing broken shortcuts, removing unused Desktop shortcuts, correcting the system time and more.

 

Save to batch files to Disable or Re-enable Windows 10 maintenance filth... right-click and run as Administrator.

Code:

REM - Disables automatic maintenance
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\Maintenance" /v "MaintenanceDisabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

pause

Code:

REM - Enables automatic maintenance
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\Maintenance" /v "MaintenanceDisabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

pause

 

I like it this way. Click Enabled when and <if> I want it start. Not when M$ Morons want

 

Since the latest Creators Fall Update I am no longer able to choose which lock screen background I want.
I tried the option in Settings but on reboot Windows switches it back to img103.png (a small lake in the mountains).
I tried the new v0.9 of WinAero Tweaker but Windows still overrides its changes.
I even tried renaming the image file but Windows won't allow it claiming only Trusted Installer has the required privileges.
I tried upgrading Administrator privileges to include those of Trusted Installer but it won't allow that either.

What is the point in robbing users of this very silly little option?
Are M$ trying to flex their muscles by saying "Your PC now belongs to us and there's nothing you can do about it?

 

Yes they are. Because they can, and because there are too many Kool-Aid drinkers willing to allow it.

 

@Mr. Fox and @Papusan
Maintenance tasks doesn't work at all on my Windows installation. Fr example TRIM doesn't work at all even after a week, so I do all the maintenance by myself by calling each tasks manually. Example Program Data compaction, OS integrity checks etc...

 

How to restore the classic Default Programs Menu

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update removed the old Default Programs which gave you full control of which file extensions each app controls. Now it just takes you to the PC Settings crippled version of it which gives you very basic controls.

Here is how to access the old default programs menu:

1) Right click on your desktop and select NEW > NEW SHORTCUT

2) Paste this command in the location bar:

Code:

explorer shell:::{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966} -Microsoft.DefaultPrograms\pageDefaultProgram

3) Hit next, then give it any name you want, I called mine Default Programs

4) Place that shortcut anywhere you want, I put it in my Start Menu

 

Great tip, bro. One thing we should bear in mind... As long as people keep finding ways to make the latest piece of crap OS from the Redmond Mafia usable, these stupid bastards will keep screwing it up. Could be better to boycott their worthless rubbish OS at this point and lots of people start sending them hateful emails to remind them that they totally suck at their jobs and they deserve to go out of business for peddling such garbage.

 

Not to fear Mr. Fox, my good man.

I was just reading an article about the latest insider build and it seems MS is working on a solution to all Windows 10 problems - improved emojii support!!

 

Oh wow!!! Improved emojii support would definitely allow me to forgive and forget everything else they have ruined. That would totally make up for it. I am so happy about that I could just poop my pants.

On a serious note, my question is... "How in the hell does something like emojii support ever become important to anyone, and why?" I mean, really... this is actually viewed as being something important enough to make it a priority? We are all doomed if this is a priority to those making decisions. There is no hope for their redemption. If it has come down to this abject foolishness things are far worse than I could have ever imagined.

 

It'd be laughably bad if we weren't stuck having to use this crap. I'm starting to think that the only requirement to work for MS is that your parents must be related (just think, soon we'll have an appropriate emojii for that comment)
Even sadder is this mentality is taking over everything. Look at all the "driver aids" that are being crammed in vehicles now. Soon our road are going to be overrun with people who aren't even competent enough to drive in the first place - some might argue this has already happened

 

Windows 10 Insider Build 17046 brings more refinements

The latest Windows 10 "Redstone 4" test build is numbered 17046 and comes with a lot of tweaks and fixes...

“ Emoji data across all languages has been carefully analyzed, leading to the introduction of emoji support for a number of languages that did not have it before. All in all, Microsoft performed changes to the emoji data for no less than 150 languages, including English, Turkish, French, Hebrew, Russian, and so on.”

Nice refinements. And how many use Edge?

 

Edge? What's that?

I am being facetious, of course. I think I have launched Edge browser 3 or 4 times, by accident. I meant to launch Internet Explorer to download Google Chrome browser and accidentally opened Edge.

I have nothing but contempt for these imbeciles. They are utterly worthless to the technology world, and they can do nothing right.

 

@Mr. Fox I edited the Default Programs also in Classic Shell to open the classic Default Programs menu by editing the command.

Let me know if you can't figure it out and I'll show you

This is the Phoenix Classic Shell Menu Settings (as close to Windows 7 as possible)

 

I believe Windows 10 is embracing Onecore to unify the platforms be it PC, laptop, mobile device or even a tablet.

 

Yeah, Micro$haft have to make Onecore OS due Windows RT flopped and new high end tech coming. And Micro$haft themselves have already pushed out own high end hardware as you know. Their OS MUST fit the new coming hardware. To expencive make same Windows RT flopp once again.

 

Yeah. One thing they can do is make SSD and HDD combo compulsory on every laptop even budget ones that will prevent W10 from slowing down. HDD simply can't keep on W10 Creators and above due to massive IO reqmt. than Threshold 1 and 2. Even latest Linux distros fare better than Windows 10 Creators and above.

 

@Mr. Fox @tilleroftheearth

Shall I add this tweak in the OP or not worth it?

Enable Large System Cache and Disable Paging the OS Kernel Files

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001
"LargeSystemCache"=dword:00000001

 

That tweak is obsolete. W10 can take care of it.
See if this tweak works for you too Intel ME Firmware (SA-00086) security flaw. I discovered it which basically is a tweaked Standard NVMe Controller (MSFT driver) for increased snappiness like Samsung NVMe driver. Maybe its a placebo effect for me.