When you set up your OS, what do you do to optimise it for yourself?

Greninji88 · 2026-06-22T08:11:08+0100

I've set up Windows 10 numerous times for myself, after a fresh install, I update and enrol in Extended Security. I also open MS Store to update it quickly.
Then after the updates, I download VLC, Windows Photo Restore Reg Keys, Firefox, Chrome, XAMPP, Affinity Editor, qBitorrent, 7zip, Notepad++, Python IDLE, MS Office 2021 (Still has Publisher, activate using 'special free methods'), Old Win 7 Games and Sticky Notes and I'm sure a few other apps I've forgotten.

Next I copy over my Chrome Local Data, Downloads Folder, Pictures, Movies/TV, Documents, and other files I've backed up.

Now to uninstall the BLOAT. Get rid of Groove Music Player, Clipchamp, Mail, New MS-Account-linked Sticky Notes, Snip and Sketch (I still have Snipping Tool), Photos app, and the 'Movies and TV' app.
And I also enable file extensions and item check box.

So what do you guys do to set up your OS for usage? Linux, Windows, MAC.

Scarlet · 2026-06-22T12:39:38+0100

I tend to move between PCs pretty frequently so I've setup Windows a lot. My usual process:

Windows Update
- Sometimes these updates add back removed default apps so best to do them first
Go through the start menu and uninstall pretty much everything I can
Follow that up with the same thing on the Apps menu in Settings
Disable the grouping of windows on the taskbar
Update Search Index settings to only look for things in the Start Menu folder
Add registry key to remove web results from search
Disable recently used files/folders in File Explorer Options
Run WinSetView with default settings to get rid of the annoying file grouping in folders

From there I'll start installing common apps I can think of, and then just start using the system. I'm sure there's other things I've missed, but those are the big ones.

shaunj66 · 2026-06-22T12:42:36+0100

I used to run a lot of those tweaker applcations when I was younger and OS's were less complex but these days I find these as well as the so called life hacks you find online and what not cause more issues than they solve. So I only turn off options that are provided explicitly by Windows itself.

AndorfRequissa · 2026-06-22T12:55:37+0100

its hard to optimize anything that is microsoft based anymore. they have removed so many options and forced the user to have to have stuff that it cant ever be truly optimized.

like on windows 10 I have to run a stop windows updates app just to do what something that should be within the os settings. that customizes it to my liking but makes the system less optimized. you cant remove the garbage edge browser which is exploitable more than most browsers and tons of stuff.

its not just microsoft that does stuff that ruins optimization though. i try to keep all my mac products offline because they arent optimized when running tons of background processes to steal data that cant be turned off and are just part of the OS ecosphere of terms and services that every app developer takes advantage of.

linuxares · 2026-06-22T12:58:24+0100

Download ISO, boot it with Ventoy, install CachyOS, download applications I need. Done, no need to optimize an already optimized system.

AncientBoi · 2026-06-22T13:47:41+0100

Download ISO, boot it with Rufus, install the Zorin OS v18.1, partition it just right, turn on the Firewall, download applications I need and tweak them to my liking, Run Bleachbit to clean all the other languages off, add my data, restart, Done.

tglaria · 2026-06-22T14:00:31+0100

I don't, I'm tired of trying to maintain the OS.

Boot the OS, install the apps I use and use them (and install those I forgot during setup).
On Windows:
- Complain every now and then about forced reboots.

On Linux:
- Complain every now and then about something not working.

When you set up your OS, what do you do to optimise it for yourself?

Well-Known Member

Editorial Aspirant

GBAtemp Administrator

Gungan Philosopher

The inadequate, autocratic beast!

THEE GAY WARLORD™ - Defender of GAY Rights

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum