Best Tweaking Software

Pocah · Jul 4, 2022

I am considering installing 11 on the first of my PC's. However, the first thing I need to do is work out what is the best tweaking software, especially regards privacy. Any thoughts anyone??

CountMike · Jul 4, 2022

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

TairikuOkami · Jul 4, 2022

I like BlackBird, but you would probably prefer O&O ShutUp10++ or Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5.

Ghot · Jul 4, 2022

I like Winaero Tweaker also.
And here are some general Windows 11 tweaks...

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. App Removals Completely remove Widgets...

www.elevenforum.com

Catnip · Jul 6, 2022

No, just no.

cineman195 · Jul 6, 2022

Catnip said:
No, just no.

Second that !
Whatever is possible using Windows own settings would be better, I think.
Changing settings aggressively sometimes would result in less-than-optimal performance.
I disabled xbox etc by another software and windows' games like Chess etc would not work !
So, unless you know exactly what you are doing and know how to reverse it, better not do anything drastic.
From my own experience for the past 25 years using Windows, MS is not such an evil company as facebook, google or apple !

pparks1 · Jul 6, 2022

I found with Windows 10 and Windows 11, that trying to tweak to get a quantifiable gain in performance or speed was like trying to smell a fart during a hurricane.

BrianInEngland · Jul 7, 2022

cineman195 said:
Second that !
Whatever is possible using Windows own settings would be better, I think.
Changing settings aggressively sometimes would result in less-than-optimal performance.
I disabled xbox etc by another software and windows' games like Chess etc would not work !
So, unless you know exactly what you are doing and know how to reverse it, better not do anything drastic.
From my own experience for the past 25 years using Windows, MS is not such an evil company as facebook, google or apple !

Third that!

I don't get why people tweak so much in Windows, then wonder why updates fail or things break... If you don't like Windows use another OS!

CountMike · Jul 7, 2022

cineman195 said:
Second that !
Whatever is possible using Windows own settings would be better, I think.
Changing settings aggressively sometimes would result in less-than-optimal performance.
I disabled xbox etc by another software and windows' games like Chess etc would not work !
So, unless you know exactly what you are doing and know how to reverse it, better not do anything drastic.
From my own experience for the past 25 years using Windows, MS is not such an evil company as facebook, google or apple !

BrianInEngland said:
Third that!

I don't get why people tweak so much in Windows, then wonder why updates fail or things break... If you don't like Windows use another OS!

"If you don't like Windows use another OS!" !!! That's too old because there's no other option as good as Windows.
Even if one likes windows that doesn't mean they are perfect or that they meet everybody's needs, wants or expectations. Many options are hidden and can be accessed only thru Registry which can be dangerous and at least inconvenient while also require some extensive knowledge. It's MS that in their infinite wisdom chose to hide them for various reasons.
MS doesn't have monopoly on top programmers and knowledgeable people, many errors, bugs and safety holes are found by others than MS.
There is large number of Registry "hacks" but reputable programs consolidate them in easy to understand options. I like Winaero Tweaker because it offers explanations and consequences for every tweak and also offers to save all sets to reapply them when MS brings them to defaults during updates.
Note: I'm not talking about programs like System Mechanic or Advanced System Care that are at large just "Snake oil" but just about customizing programs.

Willy · Jul 7, 2022

Ultimate Windows Tweaker is the good option.

Zardoc · Jul 7, 2022

Explore Patcher

Josey Wales · Jul 7, 2022

I use Winaero Tweaker and Windows 11 Manager. I also use all of Brinks Reg Hacks :thumbsup:

The-Hive · Jul 7, 2022

All the suggestions are good, It depends on what you want to tweak and you will probably need more than one app/tool

LeLibran · Jul 7, 2022

Here's a relatively new option to check out: GitHub - Sophia-Community/SophiApp: The most powerful open source tweaker for fine-tuning Windows 10 & Windows 11. The next chapter of the Sophia Script project.

It's also portable, i.e. no installation required and all settings saved in the app's own folder

Cromax · Jul 10, 2022

Finest windows optimizer

Wynona · Jul 10, 2022

Great thread. Lots of good ideas. I've been a Windows Beta Tester since around 1985, and I am totally convinced that Windows has never been perfect and probably never will be, although there have been some great things happen through the years. Bottom line . . . no matter what the program, it can probably stand some improvement.

There's a reason Windows is the most popular OS around. And it's not because upgrades are free either.

At the moment I don't have any tweakers installed, but I did have Explorer Patcher because my preference is to have my taskbar on top of my monitor. There were some other idiosyncrasies I didn't care for, so i uninstalled it. Probably my fault it didn't do exactly what I wanted, though.

I think I'm going to try Winaero Tweaker next, since it looks like it'll explain things to me.

And that new thing over at Github looks good. I'm gonna check it out too.