Unlike Windows PCs, Macs require almost no customization to work well out of the box. But if you’re anything like us and have a hard time justifying the high price tag of a Mac, there are a few things you may want to do when setting up Windows that can make it a bit better of an experience.
When installing Windows 10, here’s what we do (and recommend):
Uninstall / Reinstall (most) built-in Windows 10 Apps
Easy (for most people): Install CCleaner® (Free version) Note: When installing, un-check the box at the bottom, to avoid installing Chrome.
[expand title=”Click here for alternate (advanced method) for more tech-savvy users”]
Open Windows PowerShell (run as admin) and run each of these, one at a time:
Most probably won’t need/want:
Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *3dviewer* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *solitairecollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage
Some also won’t want:
Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *GetHelp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *messaging* | remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.YourPhone* -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes | Remove-AppxPackage
Type “exit” and press enter or return to close the PowerShell[/expand]
How to uninstall screen sketch
Remove 3D Objects From This PC (Along with Other Folders)
Uninstall Mixed Reality Portal in Windows 10
Fix broken file/app associations:
- Use Windows-Pause to open the System Control Panel applet.
- Click on Control Panel Home (upper left), and select Default Programs from the screen that opens up.
- Here you have two main options: Select “set your default programs” or “associate a file type or protocol with a program”.
- The first lets you associate all supported file types with a program. If you pick VLC for example, you may associate all video and audio formats with it.
- The second option gives you granular control over the process as it enables you to associate individual file types or protocols with programs.
PC Decrapifier (Free) – Remove unneeded crapware from your Windoze installation
Malwarebytes (Free Trial)
Duplicate Cleaner (Freemium)
WizTree – Audit disk usage to recover storage space.
For further tweaking, try Winaero Tweaker
Get Windows Photo Viewer Back in Windows 10
Protect yourself with ProtonVPN, the best free VPN
Turn Sticky Keys Off: Disable-the-irritating-sticky-filter-keys-popup-dialogs
Disable Numlock, Caps lock buttons: Keytweak | Sharpkeys
Disable-numlock-key-prevent-accidental-turn-off
Separate settings for trackpad, mouse:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/automousesw/ — Can’t install on Windows 8 (can’t install as admin)
http://autosensitivity.codeplex.com/ — Buggy, doesn’t really work, at least not in Windows 8 (or 10) as of 2015–12–23
http://gphotoshow.com/mouse-speed-switcher.php — Also doesn’t allow for separate control in Win 8 & contains nagware
Active Keys – A great tool for creating and managing keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys)
Primo PDF – Create PDFs for free from your Windows-based programs.
Sysinternals” Process Explorer – Product Review
TVU Networks – Watch TV for free on your PC!
Foxit Reader – Faster, smaller & more lightweight PDF viewer than Adobe Reader.
ISO Recorder – A free, unofficial power toy that allows you to burn CD and DVD images (the latter only in Vista), copy disks, make images of the existing data CDs and DVDs and create ISO images from a content of a disk folder. Instructions
Paint.Net – Much smaller & efficient free Photoshop / GIMP alternative (more basic). Can open some newer PSDs without Photoshop w/ plugin. Buggy in Windows 10.
Combined Community Codec Pack – Free set of codecs. Useful if you can’t play DVDs in Windows Media Player
Copy/backup iPod library to your computer for free: GetSharePod.com or DoubleTwist.com