Author Topic: Windows 10 - Collection of Hacks, Tweaks, Improvements (Read 53320 times)

IainB · « **on:** November 08, 2016, 01:36 PM »

After searching the DC Forum for a Win10 tweak today (2016-11-09), I reckoned that a simple collection/index of pointers to such tweaks would have been useful for me and would have saved me some time and might similarly be useful for other forum members too, so here goes: (We may need a Wiki...)
It's a bit of a tedious manual exercise, but if forum members find that it is likely to be of use, then I shall try to maintain/update the index with any pointers - if members could kindly post the links in comments to this thread.
____________________________________________________

Index: (Last updated 2018-12-21.)
General:

GodMode (Win10) - create a folder named GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Windows 10 Announced - thread started on 2014-10-01, full of useful stuff and still going strong on 2016-11-09.
Pleasant Windows 10 via ghacks Improve Windows 10 with one-click batch files.
Winaero Tweaker.
Personalization Panel for Windows 10
Win10 security/sanitizing tool - Blackbird - refer Re: Windows 10 Announced and other DCF posts. (May need to go to http://www.getblackbird.net/download/ rather than to MajorGeek to get the latest version.)
How To Enable Paths Longer Than 260 Characters In Windows 10 - mentions that Win10 Home won't permit this fix via access to the GPE (Group Policy Editor), but it does allow access to Regedit (the Registry Editor).
99 Ways to Make Your [Windows] Computer Blazingly Fast - a very comprehensive list, and potentially useful to various Windows OS versions.

Administrator status:

Run any app, the command prompt, powershell, etc. as Administrator, from a shortcut - Re: Windows 10 Tips
Set Administrator status for execution via Win+X Menu - Re: Windows 10 Tips

Default Apps.:

Stop Windows 10 from resetting default apps with Stop Resetting My Apps (Brilliant little tool)

Device Drivers:

Try temporarily disabling the driver signing verification to enable old (unsigned) device drivers for older devices/peripherals not supported by Win10 - Re: Windows 10 Tips.

Ergonomics/perception/readability:

Adjust System font settings. How to improve ergonomics/perception/readability of text across all applications in Windows 10. This apparently only worked in an early version of Windows 10 Pro and was subsequently withdrawn for later versions. However, see the next item for a fix to that!
Adjust System Font Size: SystemFontSizeChanger does the job very nicely. An ergonomic boon for people (like me) with eyesight problems.
Classic Shell (shell alternative for Windows 10, 8, 7) - Mini-Review
Windows Magnifier: FIX if Windows Magnifier has black lens/window.

GUI and Controls:

How to make Win10 look like...[another Win OS version]:

Restore old Win7-style Volume/Mixer functionality (replaces Win10 basic slider) by Registry hack - Re: Windows 10 Tips.
Classic Shell (shell alternative for Windows 10, 8, 7) - Mini-Review
Click-and-drag icons in the Systray to rearrange them Re: Windows 10 Tips

Multimedia - DVD, CD-ROM, Video/Audio:

Use the $FREE Windows Media Center WinDVD Player app. - Re: Windows 10 Tips or, see here re $PAID app.
Download the last stable version of Winamp 5.6.6.3516 plus skins and plugins
Download VLC media player

Network:

Set network type to public or private by Registry hack) - Windows 10 Tips.
Get Windows to detect/set network type public or private - Re: Windows 10 Tips
Run the appropriate shortcut to set the current connection to Public or Private - see here.

Privacy:

Disable Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program using GPEDIT or Registry

Settings:

Quickly find and launch Settings in Windows 10 with the LeeluSoft Settings Quick Launcher (or Quick Settings Launcher).
Also from leelusoft: Windows Quick Boost - improves response/performance via a safe collection of registry changes.

Start Menu and Shell:

Fix for problem with Start Menu, or Action Center, or Metro apps refusing to open/display: Re: Windows 10 Tips
Classic Shell (shell alternative for Windows 10, 8, 7) - Mini-Review

System + RAM:

Enable/Disable Superfetch when investigating System and Compressed Memory spiking in RAM and CPU usage - Re: Windows 10 Tips
Performance measurement using third-party replacement for Windows Experience Index - Winaero WEI Tool
RAMdisk - ImDisk Toolkit to boost performance and optimise the use of your extra RAM (RAMdisk uses dynamic allocation of RAM, up to a preset max limit).
Might not work in Win10. A handy 3-in-1 tool replicating some existing Windows settings functionality - Starter - a Startup Manager + Task Manager + Services Manager for Windows. Not tested on Win10 - website at http://codestuff.obn...roducts_starter.html says: "Microsoft Windows 9x, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista."

Virtual Machine:

Fix for Windows 10 Pro constraint (blocks VirtualBox's ability to run 64-bit VMs) - Re: Windows 10 Tips

Windows Update Control:

Windows Update MiniTool - Alternative To Windows Update In Windows 10

________________________________________________
This summary collection has been drawn from DC Forum and other sources, as a quick central reference point.
Relevance: Though the context is Windows 10, some/most of these points could probably variously relate to Win8/8.1, and Win7, and some also to earlier versions of Windows.

Deozaan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2016, 01:40 PM »

See also this thread: Windows 10 Tips

IainB · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2016, 01:46 PM »

@Deozaan:
Thanks! Is exactly what I am talking about.
(I don't want to duplicate that.)

IainB · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2016, 12:31 AM »

Having become sick and tired of Win10 repeatedly overriding my preferred default apps, I have just added a fix - a very handy tool: Stop Windows 10 from resetting default apps with Stop Resetting My Apps
Seems to work a treat.

Curt · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2016, 03:24 AM »

Thank you for a thorough work, IainB

Win10 security/sanitizing tool - Blackbird - refer Re: Windows 10 Announced and other DCF posts.
-IainB (November 08, 2016, 01:36 PM)

I was so pleased just an hour ago to find Blackbird finally has been updated. At the moment one still has to go to http://www.getblackbird.net/download/ (rather than to major Geek) to get the brand new 0.9.97 Last updated: Nov. 8, 2016 (Nov. 1, 2019 | Version: 1.0.79.3)

IainB · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2016, 07:08 PM »

to go to http://www.getblackbird.net/download/ (rather than to major Geek) to get the
-Curt (November 09, 2016, 03:24 AM)

Thanks @Curt. I've added that as a note to the Blackbird item.

4wd · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2016, 07:26 PM »

A slightly easier way to set Public or Private network, just run the appropriate shortcut and it'll set the current connection to Public or Private.

From here.

IainB · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2016, 02:26 PM »

A slightly easier way to set Public or Private network, just run the appropriate shortcut and it'll set the current connection to Public or Private.

From here.
-4wd (November 09, 2016, 07:26 PM)

Into the Index it goes...

IainB · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2016, 03:23 AM »

Just remembered to add this into the Index: (a potentially very useful hack)
(Fixes long filename/file name or long path problem.)

@Shades: The article How To Enable Paths Longer Than 260 Characters In Windows 10 mentions that Win10 Home won't permit access to the GPE (Group Policy Editor), but it does allow access to Regedit (the Registry Editor).
I presume it would be correct, but out of interest I shall try to remember to check it out next time I am working on a Win10 Home PC (like you, I am not usually using Win10 Home - I use Win10 PRO).
-IainB (September 13, 2016, 09:08 PM)

IainB · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2017, 11:03 AM »

2017-01-12 0558hrs - Just added to the list: A handy 3-in-1 tool replicating some existing Windows 10 settings functionality - Starter - a Startup Manager + Task Manager + Services Manager for Windows

Starter is a Startup Manager cum Task Manager cum Services Manager will help you manage your Windows startup items & programs and more. The tool also lists all processes & information on memory usage, DLLs, priorities, thread count, etc.

EDIT 2017-01-15: Starter has not been tested by me. @tomos comments below that it worked on Vista but has not been updated since and so may not work on later versions of Windows.
At the website http://codestuff.obn...roducts_starter.html it says:

Microsoft Windows 9x, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista.

tomos · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2017, 01:51 PM »

2017-01-12 0558hrs - Just added to the list: A handy 3-in-1 tool replicating some existing Windows 10 settings functionality - Starter - a Startup Manager + Task Manager + Services Manager for Windows
Starter is a Startup Manager cum Task Manager cum Services Manager will help you manage your Windows startup items & programs and more. The tool also lists all processes & information on memory usage, DLLs, priorities, thread count, etc.
-IainB (January 11, 2017, 11:03 AM)

that may work in windows 10, but hasn't been updated AFAIK since Vista days (I use it on one Windows 7 machine). Homepage is http://codestuff.obn...roducts_starter.html

Curt · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2017, 05:05 PM »

I am pleased to inform that 7+ Taskbar Tweaker has been updated for Windows 10. Latest beta version as of "now" is from December 28: http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker. I have been testing it, and found no errors. There is also a version from September, that of course was stable back then, but should I call it stable now, when Windows meanwhile has been heavily updated?

Windows 10 - Collection of Hacks, Tweaks, Improvements

Post modified:
They have more free applications for Win 10: http://rammichael.com/software - including the eye browse raising Unchecky and the ingenious Textify

IainB · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2017, 01:55 PM »

@tomos: Thanks for your comment above.
I had not trialled the thing in Starter - a Startup Manager + Task Manager + Services Manager for Windows, and had assumed (perhaps incorrectly) from the article that it was Windows 10 but not necessarily earlier versions!

Anybody reading this and who tries it out in Win10, please post a comment about it here. Thanks.
I will eventually post a comment if I get around to trying it anyway.

app103 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2017, 02:59 PM »

I am pleased to inform that 7+ Taskbar Tweaker has been updated for Windows 10.
-Curt (January 13, 2017, 05:05 PM)

Just discovered this one, myself. Loving it! No more thumbnails on hover and buttons completely ungrouped.

Now if it could only tweak the toolbar padding, I'd be completely content. (I am not referring to pinned items padding, which does nothing for me, because I don't pin items)

brahman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2017, 05:28 AM »

Talking about Taskbar: Maybe someone knows a solution for my problem of some pinned icons duplicating themselves when I click on them to start the program, and some do not duplicate themselves, but stay in place.

I would like it so that they will all stay in place, when I start the respective software to save space on my taskbar.

How do I do that?

MilesAhead · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2017, 07:11 AM »

Talking about Taskbar: Maybe someone knows a solution for my problem of some pinned icons duplicating themselves when I click on them to start the program, and some do not duplicate themselves, but stay in place.

I would like it so that they will all stay in place, when I start the respective software to save space on my taskbar.

How do I do that?
-brahman (February 14, 2017, 05:28 AM)

This is of Windows 7 vintage. But it may shed some light on the issue:
http://www.ghacks.ne...the-windows-taskbar/

brahman · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2017, 12:40 PM »

Thanks, will check it out

Curt · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2017, 11:13 AM »

All the local links from the various Godmodes from Windows 7, 8 and 10, Home, Pro and Server.

[urlattach=1]

Forgive me for having forgotten, where I got them from.

PS! If you can't see the attached file, don't worry, you're not the only one; I can't either.

mouser · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2017, 11:19 AM »

you cant use

[Select]

[attach]

for non-image files. i have fixed.

Contro · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2017, 03:38 PM »

A good thread for : Windows 8.1 - Collection of Hacks, Tweaks, Improvements ?

IainB · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2017, 10:51 AM »

How to improve ergonomics/perception/readability of text across all applications in Windows 10: Adjust System font settings.
This could effectively transform the readability experience for people who - like me - have to use reading spectacles for reading from laptop screens.
(The image below was been "sharpened", and the text it contains is in the spoiler below the image.)
The text in the menus for all my applications are now made more readable with this simple change. Adjust and test the settings by trial-and-error to see what best suits your peculiar needs.

Spoiler

      Adjusting the text (font) size/weight via the Control Panel:

      Screen clipping taken: 2017-03-29 08:35

      Text (font) size/weight settings: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Display
       --- Change size of items
      I just now had to recreate these settings as my changing the DPI
      From 100% --> 125% reset all such settings to default.
      I did not make a note of the default settings, but I recall that they were all smaller than the settings I settled on, below. I had not made a note of my previous settings (which were "just right"), so these latest ones may need to be changed on a trial-and-error basis until I get them just right again.
      Text item
      Default
      (Not sure)
      My setting2017-03-29
      Title bars
      9? Normal
      12 Bold
      Menus
      9? Normal
      11 Bold
      Message boxes
      9? Normal
      10 Bold
      Palette titles
      9? Normal
      10 Bold
      Icons
      9? Normal
      10 Bold
      Tooltips
      9? Normal
      10 Bold
      The result of these settings was to make the text on most application windows/panes visually more legible.

techidave · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2017, 06:01 AM »

IainB
I am running version 1703 of Win 10 Pro. I cannot find those font settings anywhere. I have looked in Control Panel and also in Settings. Searching for "Fonts" or "Display" doesn't reveal them either.

4wd · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2017, 06:14 AM »

I am running version 1703 of Win 10 Pro. I cannot find those font settings anywhere.
-techidave (August 01, 2017, 06:01 AM)

It's gone in 1703, all you've got now is a percentage scaling under Settings->System->Display->Scale and layout.

There may be settings in the registry that can be written directly.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2017, 10:50 AM »

This WinAero page might be worth a look. (http://winaero.com/b...ize-windows-10-1703/)

Might want to look here first (http://www.avgthreat.../domain/winaero.com/)

IainB · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2017, 12:09 AM »

techidave:

...I am running version 1703 of Win 10 Pro. I cannot find those font settings anywhere. I have looked in Control Panel and also in Settings. Searching for "Fonts" or "Display" doesn't reveal them either.
__________________________________
-techidave (August 01, 2017, 06:01 AM)

I am running Windows 10 Pro - Build 14393.rs1 release.170706-2004
Last update occurred on 2017-07-12
- it was: 2017-07 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4025339)
_______________________________________

The relevant settings page is rather buried away in the nested Settings menus.
The access to the font settings is: Settings-->System-->Display.
At the bottom of the Display page, select Advanced display settings - which goes to a page of the same name and with a subheading "Customise your display".
Scroll down the page to the bottom of the page and select the penultimate line (option), which says "Advanced sizing of text and other items".
Clicking on that takes you to an old-style (white) settings window, where there is a sub-heading "Change the text size only", under which is where the text changes (that I mentioned above) can be accessed.

It's really simple/quick to make and check/test/change-again the new settings from that page, to see how they affect the display. I suggest playing around with those till one finds what one likes.
Before I discovered that page, I used to use the WinAero tool (which worked OK, but was not as quick and easy as using the Settings).