First install and run of Windows 11

As the title says this will be my first foray into the world of Windows 11. After the install, what things would you all recommend be done to tune the OS? Things such as change certain settings, turn on or off certain features, anything you believe would make the OS more "responsive or efficient". Thanks in advance for your input/suggestions. This will be Windows 11 Home.

Nothing really different to Windows 10 - stop apps starting unnecessarily in Task Manager, stop UWP apps auto starting, use disk cleanup regularly etc. W11 is just W10 with a new GUI.

crad said:

As the title says this will be my first foray into the world of Windows 11. After the install, what things would you all recommend be done to tune the OS? Things such as change certain settings, turn on or off certain features, anything you believe would make the OS more "responsive or efficient". Thanks in advance for your input/suggestions. This will be Windows 11 Home.

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None of these are necessary, but a lot of folks ask for them...

Since I am installing on an ssd, after install I run:
powercfg -h off

That's all I do. I've never seen the need for all the "tweaks" and "adjustments" that others like to do. And, interesting enough, my computers continue running efficiently and without any of the problems that people come here onto these forums to ask for help about.

Thank you all so much. All great ideas, input and opinions. Exactly what I was looking for. If anyone has any others, I'm all ears!

Other than my own customizing, I`ve only made 3 changes. The right click menu, the ribbon bar across the top of Explorer, and add Take Ownership to the right click menu. I also turn off Hibernation.
They are in Brink`s tutorials that Mike has listed in reply #3

I updated several Windows 10 computers, and I also purchased the new Windows 11 computer you see in My Computers System One below.

I never felt the need to use tweaks and registry adjustments to make Windows 11 look and act like Windows 10. That might account for my not having any problems with Windows 11. I like Windows 11.

TraderGary said:

I never felt the need to use tweaks and registry adjustments to make Windows 11 look and act like Windows 10.

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I took a couple of stabs at it but quickly decided I like Windows 11 better. It just grows on you after a bit of adjustment to some UI differences.

crad said:

Things such as change certain settings, turn on or off certain features, anything you believe would make the OS more "responsive or efficient".

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I used some of the suggestions shown here https://www.askvg.com/guide-make-windows-11-super-fast-on-slow-or-old-hardware-devices/, but not the W10 UI changes at Steps #8, #9 & #10. W11 runs beautifully on my 8th Gen i3 machine with (gasp!) HDD. Enjoy!

Just remember to remove the bloatware UWP apps like TikTok, Facebook, etc. if you don't use them.

I did most of the tweaks, and use Winaero. I have zero issues.


/edit

I had one problem, sort of...



When I did the In-Place Upgrade from Win 10 to Win 11... the "Disable Action Center" tweak from Win 10... is what broke the calendar.
Once I unchecked that checked item in Winaero... all was well again.

For efficiency I added to the context menu : Take Ownership and Open in Windows Terminal as administrator, OneClick firewall's Block Internet Access and Restore Internet Access.

Installed EarTrumpet app from the Store for better volume management in the notification area.

Disabled hibernation and System Restore as usual.
A few other aesthetic tweaks.

@crad,

Lots of people give random advice on their tweaks but the quickest way to screw up Windows is to install all such tweaks without understanding how OS works. Take time to learn how to use OS, and learn how to make image backups, then you can do a considered test of any tweaks.

Tweaks can often have unexpected side effects, and can be difficult to reverse - hence need for image backups.

In simple terms, walk before you run.

Again, thank all of you for your input and comments. I will give all of the suggestions and comments here serious consideration. I will be using some of the tweaks posted by Ghot and already a user of Macrium. Thank you all for your time.

It now April 2022; I am beginning to think MS have decided I no longer am worthy ......................................

elbmek said:

It now April 2022; I am beginning to think MS have decided I no longer am worthy ......................................

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MS said all eligible machines should see it offered by 'mid-2022' - there's still 3 months to go.....