***December 24th, 2021
There are no significant changes from 20H2 (Windows 10 October 2020 Update), to 21H1 (Windows May 2021 Update), to 21H2 (Windows 10 November 2021 Update)
This guide will remain unchanged until 22H1.
The only reasons I’ve put this guide here is to avoid confusion and because…Google…
TweakHound’s
Tweaking Windows 10
Windows 10 November 2021 Update
A guide to tweak and optimize Windows 10.
Updated as of Windows 10 21H2. Lasted edited as of 24 December, 2021
I would like to thank Ken Rosenstein, Sentwali Lewis, and others for their invaluable help in editing this guide.
tweak – to change slightly, esp. in order to make something more effective or correct.
optimize – get the most out of, make optimal – modify to achieve maximum efficiency in storage capacity or time or cost
“TweakHound.com – Home Of The Original Tweak Guides”
***May 19th, 2021
There are no significant changes from 20H2 (Windows 10 October 2020 Update), to 21H1 (Windows May 2021 Update), to 21H2 (Windows 10 November 2021 Update)
This guide will remain unchanged until 22H2.
Changes
Revisions are marked in the Table of Contents section in GREEN.
Grammar and usage cleanup with the help of several editors.
CCleaner completely removed because of adware and other shenanigans.
Classic Start program removed as program is dead.
All references to Acronis True Image replaced with Macrium Reflect.
Many changes both major and minor.
URL for this guide will now change with the newest version. It seems Google doesn’t like “old” content.
Table of Contents
Introduction (minor revisions)
No Phone, No Touch, No Cloud, No Way
Bad Tweaks
Notes & Ramblings
My Desktop Pet Peeve
First Things First
Get Your Control Panel Icons Back
UAC
God Mode (revised God Mode. See: Win10 – God Mode Icon Name Fix)
Tips For This Guide (minor revisions)
Settings For User Accounts
Account Types
Local And Microsoft Accounts Defined
Switch To A Local Account (minor revisions)
Using The Windows Store With A Local Account
How To Login Automatically (revised See: Win10 – Get Auto-Login Back)
Libraries
Moving Your User Folders
Adding A Folder To A Library
Show Libraries In Windows Explorer
Customize The Desktop
Start Menu Settings
Start Menu Groups
The Win + X Menu
3rd Party Start Menus (revised Classic Start removed)
Display Settings (major revisions)
Personalize
The Taskbar (expanded)
The Search Box
The Task View And Touch Keyboard Buttons
Toolbars
The Clock
Disable System Sounds
Customize Folder Options
Folder View Options
Optimize Folders
The Page File, SuperFetch, and ReadyBoost
The Page File (minor revisions, changed link to point to: The Windows 10 Pagefile And Running Without One)
SuperFetch
ReadyBoost
Windows 10 Services (major revision)
Windows Update (major revision)
Miscellaneous Tweaks
Get The Old System Properties Shortcut Back (new)
Turn Off App Recommendations
Turn Off Autoplay
Remove Ads From Windows Explorer
Windows Security (minor revision)
Shortcut Keys For Windows 10 (minor revision)
Windows 10 Power Options
Power Plans For Laptops
Windows 10 Fast Startup
Disable Fast Startup
Windows Mobility Center
Add a Windows Mobility Center shortcut to your desktop
Windows 10 Networking (minor revision)
Sharing
Home Networking Tips
Windows 10 Network Tweaks
Windows 10 Privacy Settings (New section folded into guide and completely revised.)
Intro, Windows Insider Program, Use A Local Account (major revision)
Windows 10 Built-In Privacy Settings (minor revision)
Telemetry, Cortana (minor revision)
Update & Security, Windows Defender
Services, Microsoft Browsers (major revision)
Remove Ads And Annoyances
Apps To Tweak Privacy Settings (major revision)
Windows Backup And Recovery Options (minor revision)
Reset this PC
System Restore
Accessing Windows Recovery Settings Offiline
Windows 7 Backup
File History
Recovery Media
Uninstalling Unneeded Stuff (major revision)
Optional Windows Components
Windows Apps (converted to AppBuster)
Maintaining Your Computer
Receiving Updates When Available
Checking for problems and fixing them
Windows 10 Troubleshooter
Administrative Tools
Reliability Monitor
Event Viewer
Generate A System Health Report
Task Manager
Clean, Defrag, & Optimize
Disk Cleanup
Advanced Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup Freeware (Major revision)
Manage Startup Items with Autoruns (minor revision)
Defrag & Optimize
Conclusion (minor revision)
Just a quick question regarding the block Cortana registry tweak. Is this still the current working method? I had read that this has changed a few times over the last few releases of Windows, just confirming it still works.
Thanks for your incredibly thorough guides over the years, it’s always been a great source of education.
Nate
AFAIK. I would advise using O&O Shutup10 to make sure.