Windows Installation & Setup
- Windows - Installation & Setup
- Personalizations
- Why you should never use the personalized device usage settings in Windows 11 | TechRepublic
- Windows Update ...
- Windows Update (repeat & reboot many times) + Service Packs
- Note: Windows has the annoying habit of resetting many system setting whenever there is a major Windows Update.
- Disable Forced Restarts After A Windows Update = NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers
- Windows Restore Points ...
- Caps Lock OFF
- NumLock ON ...
- ScrollBar ...
- Windows Features - Press the WinKey (or click on the start menu button), then type "windows features".
- Drivers (graphics, mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer drivers, etc.)
- It is usually preferable to get the drivers from the manufacturer's site, rather than from MS.
- LAN ... & Routers ...
- Display adapter (GPU)
- Monitor
- Mouse / Trackball
- Audio - Set up the speakers/headset again (after every major Windows update).
- Printer(s)
- etc.
- Show Desktop icon on tray (= Quick Launch)
- R-click on Taskbar > Toolbars > New Toolbar > Paste this string into the text box: %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch -or- %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
- Search / Control Panel / Settings / Win-X / Cortana / Search by clicking on Start button / ...
- Under Settings > Search > Searching Windows > Find My Files > Classic (set search to Classic, which only applies to Libraries and Desktop, or choose Enhanced indexing to search the whole computer).
- R-click on the Taskbar > Search > Hidden
- Just touch the Windows key and start typing to find anything on your computer.
- Default Apps by file type
- Date / Time / Region
- How to permanently display the Windows version on the desktop - TechRepublic
- How to display version information on the Windows 11 desktop - TechRepublic
- Warning! -Back up the Windows Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed.
- System configuration will show the version of Windows running on the machine
- cmd > regedit.exe > Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop > modify or create a new 32-Bit DWORD value PaintDesktopVersion - change the Default value from "zero" to "1" > reboot
- Warning! - It may be necessary to reset this value to 1 after every major Windows Update.
- How to Display Build Info, Edition and WinDir Path on the Desktop » Winhelponline
- cmd > regedit.exe >
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows > Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisplayVersion > 1 (or whatever the current version is) > exit regedit > F5 to refresh Desktop
- or
- PS > REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows" /v DisplayVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f > exit > F5 to refresh Desktop
- BgInfo - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs
- ScreenSaver & LockScreen & Background
- R-click on Desktop
- Default Windows Wallpapers locations
- Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch
- Power Settings - Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options
- Power settings (sleep, shut-down, PC & monitor)
- Windows 10: How to restore the ultimate power plan and improve performance - TechRepublic
- Start > Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings
- CLI (Admin command prompt or PowerShell) > powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 (Ultimate power plan)
- CLI (Admin command prompt or PowerShell) > powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c (High performance power plan)
- Start > Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings > check that "Ultimate power plan" and "High performance power plan" are now available to the Power Options Control Panel.
- Fix Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry High CPU Usage (CompatTelRunner.exe) | Geek's Advice - One of the following procedures should work:
- Windows10 > Run > taskschd.msc > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience > Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser> Disable
- Windows10 > Run > gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds >
Double-click Allow Telemetry > Disabled > Apply > OK
- Windows10 > Run > regedit > User Account Control > Yes > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > DataCollection > right-click on DataCollection > New > DWORD (32-bit value) > Give this new value name Allow Telemetry > double-click it > Change Value data to 0 (zero) > OK.
- How to Stop Windows from Adding "- Shortcut" to Shortcut File Names
- Date & Time & Location
- Microsoft Store > install "MSN Weather" - $0
- Weather requires your location.
- Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter
- Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Weather (MSN) > Uninstall
Restart
Microsoft Store > Search for Weather (MSN) > Install
- Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Choose Weather app by clicking on the plus symbol
Settings > Personalization > Lock screen "Get fun facts" > on
Settings > Privacy > Location > Weather (on)
Settings > Privacy > Notifications > Allow apps to access your notifications (on)
Restart
- Weather works on some Win10Pro PCs, but not on others. Why?
- How to Fix MSN Weather Not Working in Windows 10 Error
- Got a New PC? 11 Things to Do Right Away | PCMag
- Applications
- Cloud - data storage
- Productivity software
- Utility software ...
- Backup software ...
- Browsers
- Firefox
- Edge (by Microsoft) > Settings > Settings > Privacy > Services > Address bar
- Edge > Settings > Settings > View advanced > Autofill > Save Password > disable
- Newer Windows versions: Edge > Settings > Profiles > Passwords > Sign in automatically > Turn this off (and use a real password manager)
- Improved copy and paste of URLs in Microsoft Edge
- edge://flags/ > Debugging for packed apps > On = edge://flags/#debug-packed-apps
- Chrome
(by Google)
- Close Chrome > Ctrl-Alt-Del (Task Manager) > End Task (for every instance of Google that shows in the Task Manager) > Open Chrome > Settings > On startup > Open a specific page
- The Chromium projects
- Safari (by Apple)
- Opera Web Browser
- Brave Browser | Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave Browser
- Extensions (Add-ins, Add-ons) for your browser
- How to Stop Auto-Play Videos on Browsers? | MashTips
- stop automatic autoplay video window in browsers - Google Search
- Firefox: about:config > media.autoplay
- Firefox: about:config > media.autoplay.embed > false
- Firefox: about:config > media.autoplay.enabled > false
- Firefox: about:config > media.autoplay.default > 1 (1 = Block all autoplay videos; 2 = Let the browser ask your permission to play autoplay videos)
- Firefox: about:config > media.autoplay.default > services.sync.prefs.sync.media.autoplay.default > false
- Nothing works!!
- Notes
- Incognito Mode Isn’t As Incognito As You Might Think | Wirecutter - Private browsing = Incognito mode = InPrivate mode
- You can combat some of this tracking with browser extensions, but some browsers disable those extensions in private browsing modes. A trustworthy virtual private network can also provide a potential layer of privacy, though an untrustworthy one may still leak or monitor that data. It’s worth considering a browser that focuses more on privacy by default, like Firefox, Safari, or Brave, instead of Chrome or Microsoft Edge. And for searches, use a search engine like DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or Startpage instead of Google or Bing. But know that even when you do everything as privately as possible, it’s unlikely that you’re truly anonymous. If you’re searching for information that is critical to keep private, use Tor Browser, which helps cloak your location, doesn’t save your history, and removes most tracking.
- LAN
- Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings
- 10 Tips to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network: Banish Hackers and Freeloaders Now - CNET
- Strong wi-fi password
- Change the wi-fi username, if possible
- Turn on firewall
- Turn on wi-fi encryption
- Create a guest network
- Use a VPN
- Disable remote router access
- Upgrade to a WPA3 router
- How to Share File or Folder in Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and go to the folder you want to share.
- Right-click on it and open Properties from the context menu.
- On the Sharing tab, click on the Advanced Sharing button.
- In the next dialog, enable the option Share this folder.
- Specify the share name that other users will see.
- Also, you can limit the number of simultaneous users and add a comment.
- Click on the Permissions button and set the required permissions.
- If you don't see the required user account, click on the Add button.
- In the Select Users or Groups dialog click on the Advanced... button.
- Click on the Find now button.
- Select the user account or group and click on the OK button.
- Now configure the required permissions.
- Use the Remove button to stop folder sharing with the select user account.
- Enable or Disable Network Discovery in Windows 10
- DHCP or 1.1.1.1
- Windows > Start > Network status > Status > Properties > IP Settings > Edit > Manual (drop-down menu) > IPv4 > On > Preferred IP address > 1.1.1.1 > Alternate DNS > 1.0.0.1 > Save
- Windows > Start > Network status > Status > Properties > IP Settings > Edit > Manual (drop-down menu) > IPv6 > On > Preferred IP address > 2606:4700:4700::1111
- 1.1.1.1 — The free app that makes your Internet faster.
- What is 1.1.1.1? | Cloudflare
- Core isolation
- We recommend that you leave this setting on, if your system supports it. However, incompatible drivers may prevent this setting.
-
- Username
- Should you use a local account? (or your Microsoft account?) -
By Ed Bott (TechRepublic Microsoft Weekly 2019-10-11)
When you set up a new PC for your personal use, one of the most important choices you have to make is what kind of account to set up. Many longtime Windows users instinctively prefer a traditional local account over a Microsoft account, on the theory that anything stored in the cloud must be less secure.
I understand that instinct, but I also strongly recommend that you use a Microsoft account, which is, paradoxically, more secure.
For starters, you can easily recover from a forgotten password using a Microsoft account. You can also retrieve a BitLocker recovery key (just sign in at microsoft.com/recoverykey), which can prevent your encrypted data from being irretrievably lost to hardware or software glitches. A Microsoft account (or an Azure AD account) is also a requirement to use Windows Hello biometric authentication.
If you're concerned about privacy, one easy solution is to create a new email address for a Microsoft account when you set up a new PC, and then use that address only for signing on. Don't link it to your real email address, and don't use it for online services. In that configuration, you get all the advantages of online backup without having to worry about your personal data.
- Rename user - C:\Users\UserName
- Recommendation: Don't rename it unless it is on a new clean Windows installation. Too many problems.
- Searching with Google will find many ways to rename the user's folder name. Not easy. Not necessarily safe. It could screw up that user's account.
- If you are using a MS account, it may automatically create a username folder which is not what you want. Windows will automatically take the first five characters of the user's email address. WTF was MS thinking?
- Don't just simply rename the folder.
- If you are setting up a new system, without any important info in the folder:
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC > Use a MS account login (instead of a local account)
- Search for Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users > Right-click on the account's Name
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Confirm (using MS File Explorer) that the username's folder is correct (C:\Users\UserName),
- Summary - Rename a User Profile
- Remind yourself that this is a risky operation.
- Backup everything (cloud)
- Create a system image (Macrium Reflect)
- Create a system restore point
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:yes
- log out of the user profile you want to change
- log into an Administrator account
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Other users > Add someone else to this PC
- Create account
- Change account type > Administrator
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd > lusrmgr.msc > Local Users and Groups > Users > Rename the folder
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Reboot
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:no
-
- How to Rename User Profile Folder in Windows 10
- Rename a User Profile
- Create a system restore point
- log out of the user profile you want to change
- log into an administrator account
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Other users > Add someone else to this PC
- Create account
- Change account type > Administrator
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd > lusrmgr.msc > Local Users and Groups > Users > Rename the folder
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Reboot
- How to Rename a Windows 10 User Folder | How to Change User Folder Name in Windows 10 - YouTube
- Rename a User Profile
- Warning! Danger. Read the comments. However, it did work for some people.
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:yes
- Sign out
- Log into the Administrator account
- Win > compmgmt.msc > Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users > R-click on the username > Rename it
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > regedit > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Sign out
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:no
- How to rename the User folder in Windows 10? - Super User
- Rename a User Profile
- Win > Cmd > wmic useraccount get name,SID > make a note of the user SID
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- Rename a User Profile
- It is highly recommended to create a system image before doing the steps in this tutorial to be able to quickly restore the image to undo the steps if needed since renaming a user profile folder name may have unknown side effects. For example, some programs not referencing the new profile folder name. (Macrium Reflect or Windows 10)
- Sign out
- Sign in with an administrator account
- Win > Cmd > wmic useraccount get name,SID > make a note of the user SID
- Win > regedit > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Create a symbolic link using the command below in an elevated command prompt. This is so anything that still references the old user profile folder name will be automatically redirected to the new user profile folder name.
- mklink /d "Full path of old profile folder name" "full path of new profile folder name"
- Verify the OneDrive folder location for your account is correctly using the new profile folder name. If it's not, then change the OneDrive folder location to correct it.
- rename user folder windows 10 - Search