An In-Depth Guide to Mastering Windows

As experienced Windows users, we understand the operating system inside and out. Throughout the years, we’ve gathered deep insights into making the most of Windows through forums, troubleshooting guides, and real-world usage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share everything we know to help you master Windows like a pro.

Optimizing Performance

Keeping Windows running fast is crucial for a smooth experience. Here are some performance optimizations we recommend:

• Use Task Manager to monitor resource usage and close unnecessary background processes. This frees up RAM and CPU cycles.

• Adjust visual effects under System > Advanced System Settings for maximum speed. Animations and transparency effects slow things down.

• Regularly run disk cleanup and defrag tools to purge junk files and optimize drive contents. A tidy hard drive performs better.

  How to disable Cortana web search in Windows 10?

  Since Windows 10 Anniversary Update (build 1607) there is no longer option in Cortana to disable Web search. Luckily you can still disable Cortana Web search in Windows 10 using a registry hack or local group policy. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

  Is there a way to disable Cortana & searchbox in Windows 10?

  Both Cortana and the Search box is available from the Taskbar. Both of these have changed quite a bit compared to the previous versions, especially Cortana which is now a standalone app. That said, there is no way now to disable Cortana and Searchbox in Windows 10 v2004 and later, but you can always hide them so they take less space on the taskbar.

• Update drivers, especially for key components like graphics cards. Outdated drivers can bog things down.

• Tweak services with Msconfig to disable non-essential ones. Fewer running services means less overhead.

With these tips, you’ll keep Windows lean and mean for years to come. Pay special attention to resource monitoring and cleanup. An optimized Windows hums along like new.

Customizing the Interface

Tweaking the interface is a great way to enhance your Windows experience. Here are some customizations we recommend:

• Resize the taskbar and move it to the top or sides of the screen for easier access. Right-click the taskbar and select ‘Lock the taskbar’ to prevent accidental changes.

• Adjust icon sizes, font scaling, and theme colors under Personalization settings. Match it to your monitor size and preferences.

• Set dark mode under Colors to reduce eye strain. Dark interfaces are easier on the eyes.

• Remove unwanted tiles like 3D Objects from Start Menu. Right-click each tile and select Uninstall.

• Use third-party tools like Start10 to fully customize Start Menu and Taskbar with advanced options.

  How do I hide a search box in Windows 10?

  To show the Search box, right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar. Then, go to Search > Show search box. If you have a lot of icons on the Taskbar, you may want to save some room and hide the Search icon by selecting Hidden on the Taskbar context menu.

  Does Cortana use Bing web search?

  Cortana mixes its web search with its file search. Thus, when you enter a keyword in the search box, Cortana will throw up both matching files and Bing web search suggestions. Some users preferred to disable Cortana’s Bing web search with the Group Policy Editor settings in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise.

Don’t be afraid to tailor Windows to your needs. A personalized interface makes you more engaged and productive.

Security Best Practices

Staying secure is a top priority. Use these tips to lock down Windows:

• password protect the admin account & use a strong password with 15+ characters
• enable firewall & antivirus protections
• don’t use administrator accounts for everyday work
• schedule regular automated security scans & updates
• avoid downloads from unverified sources
• use drive encryption like BitLocker for sensitive data
• enable platform security features like Windows Hello and Device Guard

Also watch out for scams, suspicious links, unrecognized devices, and unusual system activity. Proactive security habits keep the threats away.

Useful Tools and Utilities

Windows offers great built-in tools, but third-party utilities can enhance functionality:

• File explorers like XYplorer for advanced file management
• System monitors like HWMonitor to track temps and usage
• Cleaners like CCleaner to purge junk securely
• Imaging software like Macrium Reflect for full system backups
• Password managers like KeePass to generate and store secure passwords
• Disk defragmenters like Auslogics for optimized drives
• Automation tools like AutoHotKey for custom macro scripts

Carefully vet and research utilities before downloading. Many excellent options expand Windows capabilities.

Does modifying registry hives disable Cortana web search?

For Windows 10 Pro “N” 64-bit version 1809, modifying the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” or “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” registry hives did not disable Cortana web search. On the other hand, modifying the “HKEY_USERS” registry hive did: This can be done with standard UID, no need for admin account since it’s a user account.

How to disable search in Windows 10?

Press Windows key + R, to open Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and click on OK. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search. On the right pane, double click on Don’t search the web or display web results in Search and select Enabled. Click on OK.

Does Windows 10 have Search & Cortana?

Starting with Windows 10 build 18317, Microsoft separated Search and Cortana. This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off search online and include web results from Bing for only your account when you do a search on the taskbar in Windows 10. Bing “web” search results in Windows 10 is not available in all regions.

How to turn off Bing web search in Windows 10?

WinAero Tweaker is a great freeware customization program for Windows 10, 8 and 7. That program includes a Disable web search in taskbar and Cortana option that you can select to turn off the Bing web search. So instead of editing the registry as outlined above, you can select that WinAero Tweaker option as follows.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

With regular maintenance, you can prevent and fix most issues:

• Check event logs to identify potential problems early
• Verify drivers are updated, rollback if buggy
• Monitor SMART drive health to catch failing hardware
• Test RAM integrity with MEMTEST86+ to troubleshoot crashes
• Backup critical data and system images for easy recovery
• Use chkdsk, sfc, and DISM tools to fix system file corruption
• Reset Windows as last resort if all else fails

Don’t hesitate to research error codes and symptoms online for solutions. With vigilance and care, Windows will serve you well for years.

Further Reading

We’ve only scratched the surface here. For even more Windows wisdom, check out these resources:

• Microsoft Docs – Official guidance from the source
• WindowsCentral – News, reviews and help covering Windows
• TenForums – Active community focused on tips and troubleshooting
• How-To Geek – Easy to follow tutorials for Windows beginners and veterans

The world of Windows is vast, but deeply rewarding to master. Hopefully our guide has enlightened your journey. Let us know if you have any other questions – happy to help fellow Windows users any time!

How do I fix Windows Search not working on Windows 10?

Go to File > Exit or click the X in the upper-right corner of the dialog box to close the Registry Editor. You must sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. Or you can restart your computer. Now you’ll see the standard Windows Search on the Taskbar instead of Cortana.

How do I remove Cortana from Windows 10?

Then select the Clear button under Chat history. To hide Cortana in Windows 10, November 2019 Update and earlier versions: On the taskbar, select Cortana, hover over Cortana on the menu, and then select Hidden from the side menu. This will also remove the search box from your taskbar.

How do I disable search in Windows 10?

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. When the Local Group Policy Editor window opens, navigate to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Search . Double-click on the policy named “ Don’t search the web or display web results in Search ” in the right pane.

References

1. https://www.bennetrichter.de/en/tutorials/windows-10-disable-web-search/
2. https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/disable-windows-web-search