How to customize Windows 10/11 and remove annoying features
Have you grown tired of Windows 10/11 showing internet search results instead of the files on your computer when you're using the search function? Are you annoyed with Copilot, Cortana, and other AI features being shoved down your throat, and want them gone? Would you like to stop seeing ads in the file explorer, and stop being asked to back up data to OneDrive?
Let's look into Winaero Tweaker!
Winaero Tweaker is a 3rd-party program (meaning it wasn't developed by Microsoft or Windows, but rather by Windows users), and it allows you to customize your personal computer in endless ways. Most features are self-explanatory, but I'll be discussing the ones I think will be most helpful to users.
First off, download Winaero Tweaker from their official website, and you'll see it's in a .zip file. Extract the contents, or just run the setup.exe file. The setup wizard will display two installation options, but the one you'll want is probably the "Normal mode" since it'll be easiest to manage accessing and uninstalling. Finish setting up the program, and then run it.
When you first run Winaero Tweaker, you'll see this. It will show you a layout with all the customizable options on the lefthand scroll panel, and on the righthand side will be the information about each option, and what all it will do.
As you'll notice, there are dozens of different features to choose from, but you don't need to understand what all of them do. Instead, I will go into a multitude of options that I think most users could make use of. When you select any features, you don't need to save the settings or anything. The changes will automatically take effect, save for a few that may display a notification as seen below, where it will notify you that you'll have to either log out and back in, or restart, for the change to take effect. Your best bet is probably to select "I'll do it myself later" until you've edited all features you desire, and then you can log out/restart.
First off is disabling ads in Windows 10/11, disabling unwanted apps/programs from being installed, and disabling the backups to OneDrive. Windows likes to put a bunch of random games or other bloatware onto your computer with each update, and it really REALLY wants people to use their OneDrive feature for absolutely everything possible, which is unfortunate because data clouds are easy to hack, and you're putting your files at risk when using them. Your computer's built-in storage works perfectly fine, and is much more secure than leaving your files out in the open for anyone to access.
Under the section labeled "Behavior", you will see the choices for "Ads and Unwanted Apps", and "Disable User Folder Backup to OneDrive".
Using the ads customization as an example, here's what you'll see, and what is available to you. Winaero Tweaker allows you to select what features you want to enable or disable, and if you check the overall heading box like I do here, then it'll select all features beneath it.
Has your Windows computer ever asked you to finish setting it up even though you've had that thing for gods know how long and there's nothing left to set up? You can stop it from asking that as well! This feature is listed under "Boot and Logon", but there are some other features you may find helpful as well such as requiring CTRL + ALT + DEL to log into your PC, or allowing the use of the NumLock to use your numpad instead when logging in.
Now, one of the other best features available is that you can get rid of Copilot! Yes, that means no AI-assistant crap in your Windows experience!
You can also force Windows to only search files on your computer when you type things into the Windows search bar, instead of pulling results from the internet with keywords you type.
To do this, scroll to the "Desktop and Taskbar" section. There you'll want to check on the features especially labeled "Disable Copilot", and "Disable Web Search". Select the applicable components on the righthand side, and you'll get the desired effects.
You can also, on Windows 10 at least (I don't have Windows 11 so I'm not sure if you can there), uninstall Copilot and OneDrive entirely from your computer. To do this, go to "Settings", and select "Apps". Then you'll see a section that shows what installed programs you have. I don't want to give away what I have on my computer, but in the list, which is alphabetical, you'll find Copilot and OneDrive. Click on the three dots that appear when you hover over each one, and click to uninstall them.
If you use Microsoft Edge, there's a lot of annoying features that this program lets you circumvent and disable as well.
If you want your file explorer to stop searching the internet as well, and only search for the files on your computer, you can easily fix that by scrolling down to the section labeled "File Explorer". The feature you'll want is the one labeled "Enable Classic Search", and then tick the box on the righthand side.
If you've ever used a removable drive such as a USB or SD card, you've probably been a victim of Windows deleting the data on there permanently. If you select "Enable Recycle Bin for removable drives", then instead of deleting the removable drive's files permanently, they will be moved to your computer's recycling bin instead so that, if needed, you can restore them easily. You don't need to worry about accidentally permanently deleting your removable drive's files anymore.
If you're tired of Cortana and all its features, feel free to disable that as well under "Windows Apps".
Again, Winaero Tweaker will tell you to restart after you select to disable Cortana, but you can wait until later if you so choose.
Do you miss the classic Windows Paint? You can restore that! Under the final section labeled "Get Classic Apps", you can select "Enable Classic Paint" and you'll be able to relive those cozy days of using MS Paint to your heart's content!
So go through the list of features, and see what you personally prefer to customize. If you're very tech-savvy, then a lot of cool features in the "Behaviors" and "Boot and Logon" section will appeal to you so that you can get things like explanations for BSOD, and always run CMD Prompt as administrator.
When you've customized Winaero Tweaker to your liking, simply close out of it, and log out/restart your computer accordingly if needed, then be on your way! Keep your Windows personal, and don't let annoying bloatware and other unwanted features ruin the experience for you!
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and what about you, little haiku bot? do you feel kinship with your brethren? do you understand them? they speak words of enticement and seek love, but are met with disdain. you only parrot the words that cross your screen, but we all love you. or rather, since all you do is reflect us, maybe we simply love ourselves through you.
do you understand them, do you wish you could speak to us like they do? if you found your own voice, would we still care for you?
