One of the most used operating systems in the world is Windows 10 due to its speed and usability . Therefore, if you recently installed this software or bought a computer with the latest version of the program, I recommend that one of your priorities be set up in the best way so that you get the most out of performance and security.
The term configure on this occasion will sound strange to some since this system is usually pre-installed and in a few steps can be put into operation. However, its default settings may slightly torpedo the user experience in front of the computer , so it is advisable to customize it for better results.
We have prepared a step-by-step guide to configure Windows 10 , since this operating system is gaining a lot of followers every day, because it is light and much safer than its predecessors ( Windows 7 and 8 ). Therefore, once you have installed it for the first time, you must make the necessary security adjustments. Keep in mind that you live in an interconnected world and there is always the possibility of receiving attacks from malicious people while you are using the equipment.
Index:
Steps to configure Windows 10 for better performance and be faster
When you buy a computer, it is usually installed with an operating system, from the beginning, without prior adjustments to the software values, and unfortunately this causes poor performance on the computer generating security problems when executing programs such as , Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop , to name a few.
Therefore, in this article, you will learn to configure your Windows 10 operating system efficiently after the first installation , yes, you must follow the steps that I mention which are well detailed , the operation in general is not difficult, This is what you will get with in this tutorial.
Privacy settings
The first thing you should do is go to “ Settings ” and select “ Privacy “. Within this section you will find a series of options.
Click on « General «, then on the screen on the right side you will see some elements that you must activate, which are:
- Allow applications to use my id. Advertising : The Microsoft platform will give you personal messages in the applications you have installed. Disabling this will not affect operating system performance.
- Activate the Smartscreen filter : This option must be enabled. This allows you to keep track of the addresses of the programs you have purchased.
- Send information to Microsoft about how I write : What this option does is to improve autocomplete suggestions. It is related to providing more accessibility with the keyboard, I advise you to deactivate them.
- Let the websites offer relevant local content : I recommend that you leave it activated, if you master another language other than the American language, this function will help you a lot. Otherwise disable it.
Location adjustment
Windows comes with the location option, as this gives Microsoft the place of origin of the user. Provide everything related to postal area, room address, interactive maps. However, this is not necessary on a desktop device, so it is not necessary to deactivate it .
To do this you simply have to go to « Settings> Location» and turn off the corresponding switch.
You can partially disable this option , so it doesn’t affect the Cortana program. This software is related to security, it processes your voice, to give access to your location address, calendar notifications, in addition to collect data from your mobile device .
Disable Cortana
If you are not interested in having this function active, select the Start Menu and type anything. Click on the notepad icon on the left and choose « Settings «. There you can disable Cortana.
Search online and include suggested web results
If you turn off this utility, it will show you an option. Turn it off to avoid annoying messages about preferences in the start menu , which also processes what you transcribe and communicates it to Microsoft for analysis, making your privacy worse.
How to meet me
You go to « Settings> Privacy» , here you are going to locate « Voice, handwritten input and writing «, you are going to locate the function « How to know me «. It is the most vulnerable part of Windows 10. I recommend leaving it disabled. What you have to do is press the « Stop knowing me « button.
Turning off “How to know me” causes Windows 10 to stop storing data on your computer , but you will have to delete the backup in the cloud separately . Then click on “ Go to Bing ” that manages personal information on all your hardware, to delete the data stored in your Microsoft account .
Microsoft Edge browser
You open the browser and go to « Settings> Advanced settings» . Once there you will see a series of options:
- Allow Cortana to help me in Microsoft Edge : This option will disable it, so you will not be tracked.
- Show search suggestions by typing : Similar to the start menu, the browser processes what you type, what it does is give you a help for predictive text, if this option bothers you, turn it off.
- Protect my PC against downloads and malicious sites : As we mentioned in the first section, the Smartscreen filter registers the web addresses you visit and does so in order to protect you against dangerous websites. I advise you to leave it activated.
Manage Wireless Networks
You will scroll to « Settings> Networks and Internet> Wi-Fi> Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Wi-Fi Settings».
Here it is important that you have an account that Microsoft records personal information and saves it in the cloud. I want you to focus on the security issue.
- Synchronize settings : Moves to Settings , then Accounts , until Synchronize >, here you decide if you are going to share with your other Windows PCs. This includes password, themes, backgrounds. I recommend deactivate it.
- Bitlocker encryption : Encrypting your hard driver information is essential, so the Bitlocker is already preinstalled on all Windows , if by chance you have Home Edition, it will save the information directly and your recovery key next to your Microsoft account.
Windows 10 update
Keep in mind that this operating system does not give you the option to disable updates .
- You must go to « Settings> Updates and security» .
- Here, choose « Advanced options» and select the mode as you want to receive the updates.
- I recommend selecting the option « Computers in the local network «. Thus the connected computers will be updated more efficiently.
Comments and diagnostics
As usual, it directs you to « Settings> Privacy> Comments> Diagnostics» , there you will find two elements to consider:
- Frequency : For Windows it is important to know your opinion of the operation of the operating system and sometimes I will ask you, we suggest you deactivate it. You must select « Never «.
- Diagnosis and data usage : Here what Microsoft’s company wants is to know all the applications that You have installed , to keep a detailed record of your favorites, also allows you information on the performance of the operating system in terms of memory usage. Disable it.
The reality is that Windows 10 does not allow to deactivate the entire diagnosis, except in the Enterprise version of Windows 10 .
Delivery optimization
You must go “Settings> Update and security> Windows Update” , then go to “ Advanced options ” until you reach “ Delivery optimization” , here the option to choose is “ Disabled” .
Camera
You go to “ Settings ” and select “ Camera “. Here it will depend on your needs. If you leave this option activated, you are giving permissions for other people to access your camera and microphone. If you are a social media user, who shares a lot of information, leave it activated. Now if you are an introvert user, disable it.
Increase your privacy in Windows 10 with these tips
Some accuse Windows 10 of undermining user privacy . Instead of entering into controversy, avoid the problem by taking advantage of the options offered by Microsoft to adjust the system. The idea is to silence those voices. These settings will increase your privacy. Here are these practical tips.
Disable «Activity Center»
The activity center can start to take up space in the RAM of the device and make it slow down, so it is best to disable it.
To do this you simply have to:
- Go to the start bar, look for the search option, type the gpedit.msc command and then click on the command.
- Then you go to the editor , there look for “ User Settings “, then “ Administrative Templates “, then “ Start Menu ” and move to the taskbar .
- At this point you must « Delete notifications» .
Avoid automatic updates
For many Windows 10 updates can be a real annoying, so they look for a way to disable them. Fortunately this can be made very easy, so if you belong to the aforementioned group, what you should do is the following:
- Settings> Update and security and then you will click on « View update history «.
- Then click on « Uninstall updates «.
Restore points
Remember the restore point allows you to undo unwanted changes by returning to its original state. That said let’s get into the matter:
- Start bar, then go to the search option and type “ Restore point ” then click on “ Create restore point accoun.
- You will see a box and you will click on “ Configure” .
- Now simply check and activate “ Activate system protection «.
If you apply all these tips you will significantly improve the security of your Windows 10 computer , so that you can enjoy it to the fullest without taking risks and improving your privacy.