- Customizing the Interface
- How do I disable Windows 10 Tips & Tricks?
- How do I change the Order of notifications in Windows 10?
- Optimizing Performance
- How do you disable Sync Center and offline files in Windows 10?
- How do I turn off notifications on Windows 10?
- How do I turn off sync on Windows 10?
- Security & Privacy
- How do I get email notifications on Windows 10?
- How do you turn Sync off on Windows 10?
- Useful Tools & Settings
- How do I enable app notifications?
- How do I stop suggested apps from appearing in Windows 10?
- What are the benefits of turning off sync in Windows 10?
- Third-Party Software
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- How do you turn off Sync Center in Windows 10?
- Conclusion
- References
Over the years, Windows has evolved into a powerful and versatile operating system used by over a billion people worldwide. Its extensive capabilities allow users to perform a wide range of tasks, from productivity and gaming to business and creative work. However, with great power comes great complexity. Mastering Windows requires dedication and patience.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share insights and tips gathered from Windows experts to help both novice and experienced users get the most out of their Windows experience.
Customizing the Interface
One of Windows’ strengths is its highly customizable interface. While the default settings work well for many, you can fine-tune the look and feel to match your style and workflow.
We recommend the following customizations for an optimal experience:
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Use a dark theme for easier viewing and less eye strain. Open Settings > Personalization > Colors and choose Dark under Choose your default app mode.
How do I disable Windows 10 Tips & Tricks?
To do so, head to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and disable the “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows” option. In the Creators Update, Microsoft added new “suggestions” that appear as notifications. These ads inform you about various Windows features and appear as normal desktop notifications.
How do I change the Order of notifications in Windows 10?
Go to Windows 10 Settings > System > Notifications & Actions. Here you can choose to rearrange and add more. In Windows 11, you can click on any of the system icons and then click on the pencil icon to bring the action center into edit mode. Now you can either change the order or click Add More if anything is missing.
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Adjust icon size if they appear too small. Right-click the desktop > View > Medium icons or Large icons.
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Show useful notifications on the taskbar like calendar events and inbox alerts. Click the <!> on the taskbar > Turn system icons on or off.
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Reduce clutter with a clean desktop. Right-click the desktop > View > Uncheck Show desktop icons.
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Resize the taskbar for quicker access. Unlock it, then drag top edge to resize vertically.
With some simple tweaks, you can transform the interface into a more personal and productive space. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
Optimizing Performance
A common pain point for Windows users is a slow, unresponsive system. Luckily, several techniques can help optimize performance:
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Close unused background apps by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and ending unnecessary processes.
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Disable visual effects like animations via System > Advanced system settings > Performance Settings > Visual Effects.
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Turn off unused features like print spooler. Go to Services (services.msc) and set non-essential services to Manual or Disabled.
How do you disable Sync Center and offline files in Windows 10?
Right-click on the Start menu. Select the “ Run ” option. Type “ control panel ” and click “ Ok “. In the control panel, set View By to “ Large Icons “. Now, find and select the “ Sync Center ” option. Click on the “ Manage offline files ” link in the left pane. Click on the “ Disable offline files ” button.
How do I turn off notifications on Windows 10?
You can change your notification settings at any time from the Settings app. Select Start , then select Settings . Go to System > Notifications. Turn notifications, banners, and sounds on or off for some or all notification senders. To see all options, expand the notifications area. Turn tips and suggestions about Windows On or Off.
How do I turn off sync on Windows 10?
To turn off settings syncing (including themes and passwords), go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. You can turn off all settings syncing, or you can selectively turn off specific settings. Windows 10 downloads and installs updates automatically, and you can’t really turn them off.
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Adjust for best performance via System > Advanced system settings > Performance Settings > Adjust for best performance.
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Run Disk Cleanup regularly to remove junk files. Open it via Start menu search.
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Add more RAM if possible. Check system requirements before upgrading.
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Perform regular malware scans using Windows Security or third-party software to detect performance-sapping infections.
With careful tuning and maintenance, you can keep Windows running smoothly for years. Be sure to create periodic system restore points before tweaking in case things go awry.
Security & Privacy
Maintaining the security of your system and data is critical in today’s digital world. Windows offers robust tools to help:
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Enable Windows Defender Firewall under Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
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Use Windows Defender Antivirus or third-party AV software to block malware. Schedule regular scans.
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Install updates promptly via Windows Update to patch vulnerabilities.
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Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
How do I get email notifications on Windows 10?
The Mail app uses the Windows notification system to notify you of new emails. First, you must make sure app notifications are enabled in Windows. To do this, open the Start menu and click “Settings”. On the “Settings” dialog box, click the “System” icon. On the “System” screen, click “Notifications & actions” in the list of items on the left.
How do you turn Sync off on Windows 10?
You can turn the sync settings on and off in Windows 10 by using the Settings application. To get started, open up the Settings app by heading to the Start menu > Settings gear icon and then click on “Accounts” from the Windows Settings menu. Once you are inside Accounts, click on the “Sync your settings” link in the left pane.
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Limit file and printer sharing to private networks only.
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Review installed apps and remove suspicious or unnecessary ones.
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Manage data access via Windows Security > App & browser control.
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Turn on BitLocker encryption if available to secure drives.
Security is a complex topic, but taking basic precautions goes a long way. For additional guidance, Microsoft’s security documentation is highly detailed.
Useful Tools & Settings
Windows contains many handy tools and settings to improve quality of life. Here are some worth exploring:
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File History for automatic file backup to external drives.
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Storage Sense to optimize drives and clean up clutter.
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Credential Manager to store passwords and streamline logins.
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Power & sleep settings to reduce battery drain and save energy.
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Remote Desktop for remote access to your PC.
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Windows Sandbox for testing suspicious apps in isolation.
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Narrator screen reader for improved accessibility.
Don’t overlook the legacy Control Panel, which still houses many useful options not found in the Settings app. Spending time familiarizing yourself with the full range of features will unlock Windows’ true potential.
How do I enable app notifications?
On the “Settings” dialog box, click the “System” icon. On the “System” screen, click “Notifications & actions” in the list of items on the left. To enable app notifications, click the slider button under “Show app notifications” in the “Notifications” section on the right side of the “System” screen so the button changes to “On”.
How do I stop suggested apps from appearing in Windows 10?
But mainly, they just take up valuable space in your Start menu. To stop suggested apps from appearing in the Start menu, head to Settings > Personalization > Start and set the “Occasionally show suggestions in Start” setting to “Off”. Windows 10 displays taskbar pop-up ads, which Microsoft calls “tips, tricks, and suggestions”.
What are the benefits of turning off sync in Windows 10?
Disabling Sync settings in Windows 10 lets you limit what information Microsoft sends to the cloud and stores on their servers. Whether you want to disable a single setting or stop syncing altogether, this is how you can gain control of your settings once and for all.
Third-Party Software
While Windows itself is powerful, third-party apps can greatly enhance the experience. Some top picks include:
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Zoom, Skype, Discord for video calls and online meetings.
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LibreOffice, Microsoft Office for productivity and documents.
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Adobe Creative Cloud, GIMP for photo and video editing.
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Steam, Epic Games for access to gaming catalogs.
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qBittorrent, Transmission for torrenting.
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Firefox, Chrome, Brave for alternative web browsers.
The Microsoft Store provides secure access to thousands more apps, both free and paid. With the right software selection tailored to your needs, you can turn Windows into an unparalleled digital workstation.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite Windows’ reliability, occasional issues can still pop up. Here are some quick solutions for common problems:
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Can’t install updates? Check for corrupt files with SFC /scannow and DISM commands.
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Applications crashing? Update drivers, check for malware, scan RAM for errors with mdsched.
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Slow boot times? Disable unnecessary start-up apps with Task Manager and msconfig.
How do you turn off Sync Center in Windows 10?
To turn off Sync Center in Windows 10, you need to turn off the ‘Offline Files’ feature. Enabling or Disabling the feature needs administrative rights. You will have to be on an administrator account on Windows 10 to change the settings for Sync Center or Offline files.
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Audio issues? Check levels and connections, reinstall drivers, and test with another device.
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Display problems? Try adjusting resolution, checking video driver, connecting external monitor.
Don’t hesitate to restart your PC if something odd occurs. This simple step fixes many transient glitches. Overall, be patient, research error messages, and leverage Windows’ detailed logs during troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Mastering Windows is a continuous journey full of discovery. Take time to thoroughly learn features at your own pace. Record favorite customizations and tools you find useful. Experiment boldly – system restore lets you roll back problematic changes. And leverage the wealth of expert knowledge in forums and communities when you need help. With a passion for learning and some thoughtful effort, you’ll unlock Windows’ immense capabilities.
We hope these tips provide a solid starting point for tailoring Windows to your style and becoming a power user. What are your favorite tips and tricks? Share your Windows wisdom below!
References
- https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Pre-Installed-Lenovo-Software-and-Applications/Disable-smart-audio-settings-shortcut-ctrl-shift-O/m-p/5147781
- https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-IdeaPad-1xx-3xx-5xx-7xx-Edge-LaVie-Z-Flex-Notebooks/Lenovo-AudioSmart-interferes-with-audio-during-Zoom-video-conferences/m-p/5008704