Despite the fact that Windows 11 has been with us for more than 5 months, the vast majority of users of the Microsoft operating system continue to use Windows 10. Its stability and proper functioning are key to retaining a large number of customers, despite the fact that it has adjustments really annoying. Today we teach you how to remove them.
Windows 11 was launched on the market in October 2021. Since then, Microsoft has been updating the millions of compatible computers little by little. Or, at least, he has tried.
In the middle of 2022, the most used operating system on PCs is still Windows 10 and the reasons are obvious: updating is a very annoying process for less expert users, the current Windows 10 works like a charm, and Windows 11 is more designed for system tactile than anything else.
For that reason, while using Windows 10, it’s worth optimizing your settings to make sure your PC runs at its best. There are some Windows 10 settings that we recommend disabling completely, such as those that slow down your device. Without further ado, let’s get to it!
- File Sharing Updates
One feature that Windows 10 has added is a streamlined update delivery system that lets you download updates from other Windows 10 PCs over the Internet (not just Microsoft servers).
The problem is that your computer is also used as an update sharing center for other Windows 10 users.
This feature is enabled by default, but you can disable it by going to Settings > Update & security > Advanced options > Delivery optimization and turning off Allow downloads from other computers.
The Windows 10 Action Center is a convenient hub for all your notifications: apps, reminders, recently installed programs. But notification overload is a very annoying thing.
To get your notifications under control, go to Settings > System > Notifications and actions.
Turn off things like Get tips, tricks, and suggestions when you use Windows or Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when you log in to highlight news and tips.
- Ads in the start menu
Microsoft promotes its Windows Store apps, to the point where you might see apps in your start menu that you’ve never downloaded. These suggested apps are basically ads.
Disable these annoying ads by going to Settings > Personalization > Start > Occasionally show suggestions on Start.
- Targeted ads from third-party apps
Microsoft keeps an eye on your preferences and browsing habits in Windows 10. You even have a unique advertising ID (linked to your Microsoft account), which the company uses to show you targeted ads.
Oh, and Microsoft also shares this advertising ID profile with third-party apps from the Windows Store, unless you turn off this sharing.
You can disable the sharing of this type of information by going to Settings > Privacy > General > Don’t allow apps to use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your activity in the app.
Cortana, your adaptive personal assistant in Windows 10, gets, well, pretty personal with the information she collects about you, like your speech and handwriting patterns and typing history, which is kind of creepy.
You can prevent Cortana from knowing you by going to Settings > Privacy > Typing and typing and turn off the option.
- Apps running in the background
In Windows 10, by default, many applications run in the background, that is, even if you do not have them open. These apps can receive information, send notifications, download and install updates, and consume your bandwidth and battery. In case you want to disable it:
To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off Allow apps to run in background or disable each app individually.
Windows 10 is all about sync. All system settings, themes, passwords, search history are synced by default across all devices you’re signed in to.
But not all of us want our search history to be synced between our phones and computers, so here’s how to turn off sync.
To turn off syncing of settings (including themes and passwords), go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. You can disable syncing for all settings, or you can selectively disable specific settings.
- Automatic Updates
Windows 10 downloads and installs updates automatically, and you can’t turn them off. And honestly, you shouldn’t disable them: an up-to-date operating system is a secure operating system.
But if for some reason you want to prevent your computer from automatically downloading and installing Windows 10 updates (perhaps so you can manually download and install them on your own schedule), you can pause updates for a set amount of time.
go to Settings > Updates > Advanced options and under Pause updates, choose a date within the next few days.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism