Windows 10 Tweaks and Fixes (Index post #1)

+5 to Phoenix for you

 

LOL, thanks bro, Tinderbox now owes you one since you did it for him

 

LOL, thanks bro, Tinderbox now owes you one since you did it for him

 

I just paid hmscott 10 points, he said it would cost me 5 points as an transaction charge, only kidding.

John.

 

Thanks Tinderbox, +5 is just right

I have tried to do >5 before, but the system limits us to +5 max, then 3 +reps to others are required before another +rep to the same person.

 

That's all right...I gave it to him for you

 

I must say I'm impressed with all the fantastic, hard work Phoenix and other contributors did here. Microsoft should pay you guys for making their product actually usable. Now I may start using Win 10 on limited basis and possibly update my wife's laptop. My biggest obstacle is WMC, which I use for watching/recording TV, so dual boot with Win 7 is required, but otherwise Win 10 may actually work OK for me.

 

I didn't read every post here, but quick search didn't bring anything and this IMO is really neat: Godmode to have all settings in 1 place. Create new folder on desktop and name it
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Sorry again if it was already posted.

 

How to Disable Ads on Your Windows 10 Lock Screen

 

Block Cortana outbound network connections completely

 

Turn off the Microsoft Consumer Experience on Windows 10

 

How to disable "Cast To Device" from right click context menu:

1) Copy/paste the below text into an empty Notepad Text file

2) Save the file as "Disable Cast To Device.reg"

3) Double click the newly created file to merge it with the registry

4) Done. No more "Cast To Device" when right clicking file; if you need it back, just navigate to the location of that reg key and delete it

 

How to Show/Hide Windows Defender in the taskbar tray icons:

Simply download the below reg files and double click on the one you want to merge it with your registry:

Show Windows Defender notification area icon

Hide Windows Defender notification area icon

 

How to Disable File Protection for downloaded internet files

If you download files from the internet, the file gets flagged as unsafe "this file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer" otherwise it will come up with a warning when you try to open it "are you sure you want to continue?"

To stop this nuisance, there are 2 ways to do it. If you have access to the Group Policy Editor, then:

1. gpedit.msc
2. User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Attachment Manager
3. Enable: Do not preserve zone information in file attachments

If you are using a Single Language / Core and have no access to the group policy editor, then create a blank txt file and copy/paste the below text into it:

Now save the file as "Disable File Protection for downloaded internet files.reg" or any name you would like ensuring the extension is changed to .reg and not .txt

Now simply double click on that file to merge it with your registry. From now on, files downloaded from the internet will not be flagged as dangerous and you can run them directly with no warning.
============================================================================================
So what if you didn't know about this trick before and now hundreds or thousands of files are marked as unsafe? Surely enough you wouldn't want to right click on each file, going to Properties, then manually unblocking it. There is no easy method to do this.

To remove this attribute from all your files in one go, simply cut/paste all your files into a USB Flash Disk that is formatted in FAT32 (make sure the USB Flash Disk has enough space to hold all your files or better yet use an external HDD that is formatted as FAT32)

After all the files have been moved to the external disk which is formatted in FAT32, they have now all lost this unsafe attribute, simply cut/paste them back onto your local SSD/HDD and you're done!

 

Not necessarily just for window 10, but here is another one to block in your hosts file; the ".om" url.

http://www.businessinsider.com/popu...-can-infect-your-computer-with-malware-2016-3

 

Windows 10 DPI Fix

The problem in Windows 10:
When you have a widescreen, with a resolution of 1920x1080 or higher or a bit lower, in Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1 you would put your DPI scaling to 125% or higher to make text and images appear larger and more easy to read.
But when you put the DPI scaling to 125% in Windows 10, you see in a lot of dialogs and windows the font gets very blurry.
It does not matter if you are using the regular or custom Windows DPI scaling functions at your 'Screen properties'. Text will get blurry on 125%.
You can test if you have this bug also if you put your DPI scaling to 125% at your 'Screen properties', then reboot Windows (or sign in again when it asks you).
Then goto 'Control panel > Administrative tools > Services'.
If you have this issue also you would see the titlebar of the Services window has a font scaled good. But the services list itself is very blurry/unsharp to read.

The SIMPLE fix:
Right-click on the shortcut to your application that has blurry fonts, then select 'Properties'. Then tab 'Compatibility'. Then enable 'Disable display scaling on high DPI settings' and hit 'Apply'. then restart your application, and you see it will look good.

The DPI fix:
Windows 10 is using another scaling method for DPI as in Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1.
At some point we can understand Windows why they changed the DPI scaling in Windows 10. It is probably meant to support mobile devices more easy.
But if you like to use your Desktop as a Desktop, and you demand high quality only. Then you can use this fix until Microsoft has addressed this issue.
This fix simple tells Windows 10 to use the original DPI scaling as it was in Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1.

Why this is a small software program, and not some 'Registry Tweak' is because when you manually adjust the DPI settings at your 'Windows Registry'. Windows will reset your dpi settings every 2 reboots. Which means you would have to adjust the registry again (Microsoft forces you almost to use its new DPI scaling method).
You could use a batch file for it that starts when you start Windows(r) to change the registry DPI settings, but then a ugly CMD box would show if you turn on your computer.
This method we created simple works, does what you want. And will not show a ugly CMD box because its using pure API.

Side effects:
- It needs to start when Windows starts, but only for a couple milliseconds (you will not see it of course). Then it will adjust the DPI scaling to use the Windows 8 way. And then it will close itself.
- In Microsoft Edge (its new browser) some Adobe Flash objects will appear smaller, but you can simple overcome that by using Internet Explorer 11, or Chrome, or FireFox.

See before and after.

 

Fix for High CPU Usage in Windows Defender

While this is a very old trick, just tried it myself and benchmarked using wPRIME and saw an immediate performance increase, remember, the lower the time needed in wPRIME to complete a certain test the better.

I have not come out of this from the top of my head but actually read it on the Wilder Security forums as I always tackle security + performance trying to strike a balance of the best performance without compromising much on security:

Fix CPU Performance Usage in Windows Defender / MSE



wPRIME on all 4 Cores/8 threads 32M (Speed Test) Benchmark Before the tweak:



wPRIME on all 4 Cores/8 threads 32M (Speed Test) Benchmark After the tweak:

 

Nice collection of solutions to all common problems. Just a little addition tht I am recommending. How to Open Event Viewer and How to Use Event Viewer. As many people face hassle with Microsoft Event Viewer and its shortcuts.

 

How to Edit Your System PATH for Easy Command Line Access in Windows

 

Increase taskbar transparency level in Windows 10

 

How to turn off System Restore completely:

1- Press Window Key + R to pull up the Run Dialogue Box

2- Type gpedit.msc then hit ENTER

3- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates\System\System Restore\

4- Double click on Turn Off System Restore and set it to Enabled then Press the OK Button.

 

How to Add or Remove 'Screen Resolution' Desktop Context Menu in Windows 10

 

How to fix Group Policy Editor throwing errors after the KB3147458 update

After this week's latest update, when trying to launch Group Policy Editor, you might get the following error:



Solution:


1) Download Download WindowsStore.admx Build 10586.104

2) Navigate to C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions and take ownership of the file named WindowsStore.admx and set the owner to EVERYONE, then go to the security tab and add EVERYONE to the list then give that user group full permissions

3) Now delete the file named WindowsStore.admx and replace it with the one you downloaded in step 1

4) Right click on WindowsStore.admx then go to Properties > Security > Advanced then change the owner to: NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller

5) Now launch Group Policy Editor and you should not receive any errors.

 

How to uninstall the Insiders Hub Metro App

I noticed there is a metro app called Insiders Hub in my start menu that wasn't even showing up in CCleaner in the Tools>Uninstall section where you usually are able to uninstall all the metro apps. Also, right clicking on it from the Start Menu itself then choosing Uninstall does absolutely nothing.

Here is how to get rid of it:

1) Click on Start > Settings > System > Apps & Features > Manage Optional Features



2) From there, you will find the Insiders Hub, click on it once then click Uninstall

 

Windows 7 games for Windows 10

 

How to disable "Scan with Windows Defender" Right-click context menu entry:

This does not work anymore on the Windows 10 Anniversary update

1) Download and run Autoruns as Admin

2) Uncheck the three EPP entries to disable them

 

Windows 10 Hosts File for blocking tracking/telemetry and a few bad addresses such as OpenCandy and some bad sites:

It is recommended you also add these addresses in your routers firewall

Create a new text using notepad and copy paste the below code then save it as hosts without the *.txt then copy/paste it in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc

Download Phoenix Custom Hosts File

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    0.0.0.0       localhost
#    ::1             localhost

127.0.0.1 localhost

::1 localhost #[IPv6]

0.0.0.0 bi.bisrv.com
0.0.0.0 softonic.com
0.0.0.0 bestvistadownloads.com
0.0.0.0 image.online-convert.com
0.0.0.0 mp3goo.com
0.0.0.0 tracking.opencandy.com.s3.amazonaws.com
0.0.0.0 media.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 tracking.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 api.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 offer.alibaba.com
0.0.0.0 t.nuvidp.com
0.0.0.0 data.causingcopeirritating.info
0.0.0.0 sso.anbtr.com
0.0.0.0 toastedballs.com
0.0.0.0 bongacams.com
0.0.0.0 seen-on-screen.thewhizmarketing.com
0.0.0.0 win-rar.com
0.0.0.0 mp3adio3.website
0.0.0.0 mp3zo.com
0.0.0.0 filehippofree.com
0.0.0.0 sofwareworld.com
0.0.0.0 driversguru.com
0.0.0.0 burners.burn4free.com
0.0.0.0 instamp3.live
0.0.0.0 tools.bongacams.com
0.0.0.0 a.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msn.com
0.0.0.0 a.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0001.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0002.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0003.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0004.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0005.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0006.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0007.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0008.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0009.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 ac3.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 adnexus.net
0.0.0.0 adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 ads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ads1.msads.net
0.0.0.0 ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 aidps.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
0.0.0.0 akamaitechnologies.com
0.0.0.0 answers.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 az361816.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 az512334.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 b.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 b.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 b.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 bs.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 c.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 c.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 cache.datamart.windows.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 cds26.ams9.msecn.net
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 compatexchange.cloudapp.net
0.0.0.0 corp.sts.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
0.0.0.0 dev.virtualearth.net
0.0.0.0 db3aqu.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 deploy.static.akamaitechnologies.com
0.0.0.0 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 displaycatalog.mp.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 ec.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 ecn.dev.virtualearth.net
0.0.0.0 eu.vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 fe3.delivery.dsp.mp.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.search.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.windows.com
0.0.0.0 flex.msn.com
0.0.0.0 g.msn.com
0.0.0.0 geover-prod.do.dsp.mp.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 h1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 inference.location.live.net
0.0.0.0 lb1.www.ms.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 live.rads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 m.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 m.hotmail.com
0.0.0.0 msedge.net
0.0.0.0 msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0 msnbot-65-55-108-23.search.msn.com
0.0.0.0 msnbot-207-46-194-33.search.msn.com
0.0.0.0 msntest.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 onesettings-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 onesettings-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 onesettings-db5.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 onesettings-hk2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 pre.footprintpredict.com
0.0.0.0 preview.msn.com
0.0.0.0 rad.live.com
0.0.0.0 rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 s.gateway.messenger.live.com
0.0.0.0 s0.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 sO.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 search.msn.com
0.0.0.0 schemas.microsoft.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 secure.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 secure.flashtalking.com
0.0.0.0 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 settings-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 settings.data.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 settings.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 spynet2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 spynetalt.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 ssw.live.com
0.0.0.0 static.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 survey.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 t0.ssl.ak.dynamic.tiles.virtualearth.net
0.0.0.0 t0.ssl.ak.tiles.virtualearth.net
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
0.0.0.0 telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 tk2.plt.msn.com
0.0.0.0 v10.vortex-win.data.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 version.hybrid.api.here.com
0.0.0.0 view.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 vortex.data.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-db5.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-hk2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.live.com
0.0.0.0 watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 web.vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 win10.ipv6.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.msftncsi.com

 

How to Enable Hidden Options in Windows’ Disk Cleanup Tool

Disk Cleanup Ready Made Shortcut

1) Run Command Prompt as Admin



2) Copy/Paste the following command in the CMD Window:

Code:

cleanmgr /sageset:65535 /sagerun:65535

3) The Disk Clean Up tool will now launch with extra options, select all the categories you want to clean then press the OK Button



** If you want to run Disk Cleanup this way regularly, you can also create a shortcut. Just right-click on your Desktop (or any folder where you want to save the shortcut) and choose New > Shortcut. In the Create Shortcut window, paste (or type) the following text into the “Type the location of the item” box and then click Next.

Code:

%SystemRoot%\System32\cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535&Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

Give your shortcut a meaningful name and then click Finish



Source: How-To-Geek

 

Thanks. Is it safe to tick all the boxes for fully cleaning?

 

Yes then after 120 seconds reboot

 

Any idea if this works in any other versions of windows, or only 10?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I think it should, give it a try.

 

Seemed to work on Win 8.1. Thanks/repped!

 

Worked on Windows 7 Ultimate & freed up quite a bit of disk space - nice find & thanks.

 

Fix Slow-Loading Windows Icons by Increasing the Icon Cache

 

How to Make Windows 10’s File Explorer Look Like Windows 7’s Windows Explorer

 

Will try this on my Win8.1 machine when I get back to home, micro$l0p broke everything with each iteration dumbed down to core, need to apply so many tweaks to make it usable...

@Phoenix , NBR forum power users owe you a lot m8 + rep, thanks !

 

There's not much you can do for this turd OS, really. It is perma-broken at its foundation, just like the company that makes it. But, every little bit helps.

I just clean installed a stripped down version of Enterprise with literally everything weird, stupid and nasty about Windows 10 removed and it did not make one ounce of difference in performance. No telemetry, no Cortana, no apps, ALL OF IT wiped out at the WIM file level and all associations removed. Zero improvement in performance and still sucks like a hoover on steroids. It's just a piece of trash like Windows 8.X and that's all there is to it. Did absolutely nothing for improving sucky Windows 10 physics performance. If I could use it for toilet paper, I would, because that's about all it's good for. If I could write down every obscene, filthy, nasty word from every language and every tongue and recite them all five times it still wouldn't be enough to express my disgust with Micro$haft's garbage.

I do like it better this way though. At least it's not crippled AS BAD and the UI isn't quite a screwed up as stock, so that's good. Thanks to @j95 for pointing me here: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/66640-How-to-Make-a-Windows-10-quot-Super-LTSB-quot-ISO

THANK YOU. I had that before on my Alienware systems and forgot about it. Much better. With Aeroglass it's almost as nice as Windows 7, but unfortunately it still runs like 10.

 

And I can bet money on that you haven't seen much improvement in performance between all builds

 

You're right. To be completely accurate, none whatsoever. It has been crippled since day one, back in the Insider preview days. They haven't fixed a damned thing related to performance deficits.

 

you mind if I ask why you have Homegroup enabled and showing in your explorer Window? That's the most worthless piece of junk ever! I disable it ever since Windows 7 through Group Policy Editor. I choose to manually manage network shares myself giving the appropriate permissions to each folder as I please

This also reduces the amount of time needed for your computer to connect to a network as it doesn't have to configure this piece or trash HomeGroup

 

LOL, I just did a clean install and have a LOOOONNNG way to go before I am done. But, thanks for the reminder. I hate Homegroups, too. Worthless. Equally important is to disable this for easy access to all your stuff on the home network.

 

yeah I remember that tweak you recommended it to me before, but when I did it I wasn't able to see my shared folders on the network so I leave it alone now

 

Hello @Mr. Fox, I cannot see your old signature thread with tips like Ol times.
If you don't mind, It'd be really great If you could share us the tweaks that you perform after the first boot of these Abomination (Win10)
Have this here & another, which helped me a lot streamlining my machine.
Thanks !

& that OldExplorer works flawless here, looks perfect now !
MDL's tool is what I did to fix the Win8.1 Enterprise here too.

 

Guys, if you haven't seen it yet, this tool is a decent replacement for Windows Update if you're the type that actually cares about Windows Updates. Don't forget to download your preferred language pack.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/64939-Windows-Update-MiniTool

Glad those helped. I do many same or similar things to Windoze OS X. Look at the index in post #1. The first thing I do before connecting to the internet is disable Windows Updates so nothing gets downloaded. After that I change the folder options to always show menus, always shows extensions and show all system files and that's when the tedious job starts of trying to make a silk purse from this nasty cancer-ridden sow's ear we call Windows 10. The Group Policy Tweaks link in the index is one of the most important. Installing Aeroglass and a legitimate Start Menu are also critical as early in the tweaking routine as possible before I get too pissed off as this butt ugly abortion. I makes me furious just looking at the abuse of white and puke colored pastels. I'd like somebody to have a five-iron frenzy and go ape on the imbeciles that thought they did a good job on this OS. News flash... you guys in Redmond are retards, LOL.

 

just look at how many tweaks you have to do just to make this OS barely bearable. After a clean install. I spend at least an hour just fixing this mess of a cancer OS to make it work.

 

Yes, it's pretty ridiculous and it takes me more than an hour. There are so many things that have to be fixed I find myself seeing or remembering stuff I forgot to fix for days after a Windows 8.X or 10 clean install. It's truly pathetic their last two OSes are so severely botched up.

 

Imho 8.1 is at least usable, Win10 continuous update is a massive downgrade over already regressed UI and numerous irritating issues and bloated by design and core, complete Aero removal, lack of choice of options. I cannot simply use that type of OS.

 

See that link I posted and strip out all the crud from the WIM before doing a clean install and pretty much all of that evilness gets exorcised.

 

Yeah, I've been using my Win8.1 without any Metro bloat as-well same dism method , But gotta learn which windows components can be safely removed (I think we can remove that Defender, HyperVisor as well, didn't try though) without an sfc error (Prior to the TH2 the Xbox app could be removed but later removing that breaks the OS boot, Nasty M$ evil clutches are extending a bit deeper and deeper as we try to patch it, horrible corporation). Also the MSMG is updated, It has a manual now too.