- Local time
- 2:39 PM
- Posts
- 2,097
- OS
- Windows 11
Windows 11 is a very different Kettle of fish to XP - and much better (although I do miss XP). You really can just use it and not worry too much about maintenance IMO! As mentioned above, defragging is done automatically - optimised for ssd's. Windows updates also just get done automatically and you don't need to keep checking - it will notify you in the task bar when a restart is needed - if you want you can check in Windows Update before restarting to see what's being updated. But this is a much smoother, more hassle free experience than with XP.
My main tweaks with a new computer are the Windows settings
1) Turning off background apps (so they're not running in the background and slowing things up) - virtually all of them except a few you want running all the time like mail app and clock etc, Because they will just start anyway when you select one.
2) Turning off tips and ads. Checking privacy settings.
3) Adding your chosen antivirus software (or just using build in Windows Defender - which is not the old Windows Defender - it's a new av program but just called Windows Defender.
4) Tweaking menu to your liking.
5) Backing up regularly to protect files.
6) Installing your browser of choice. I prefer Firefox to Edge.
7) Check system restore is turned ON and set it (I usually set it to 10%). Before doing any backup.
8. Once you have all your programs installed and all set up how you want it - do a first system image. That way if you ever have a problem and need to reinstall, you can just restore the initial image and then add your files back in.
9) Uninstall any preinstalled stuff you don't want to keep. I actually uninstall One Drive rather than turn it off. I don't use it and it can be a big resource hog. I think it can still run in the background even when turned off. Seems to have a mind of its own.
10) It's much more secure than XP. Less checking needed.
11) You can still install Windows 7 games :) Best chess program out there.
I don't even bother to clean up files unless there's an issue. You can have trouble free computing for a very long time without doing much at all.
My main tweaks with a new computer are the Windows settings
1) Turning off background apps (so they're not running in the background and slowing things up) - virtually all of them except a few you want running all the time like mail app and clock etc, Because they will just start anyway when you select one.
2) Turning off tips and ads. Checking privacy settings.
3) Adding your chosen antivirus software (or just using build in Windows Defender - which is not the old Windows Defender - it's a new av program but just called Windows Defender.
4) Tweaking menu to your liking.
5) Backing up regularly to protect files.
6) Installing your browser of choice. I prefer Firefox to Edge.
7) Check system restore is turned ON and set it (I usually set it to 10%). Before doing any backup.
8. Once you have all your programs installed and all set up how you want it - do a first system image. That way if you ever have a problem and need to reinstall, you can just restore the initial image and then add your files back in.
9) Uninstall any preinstalled stuff you don't want to keep. I actually uninstall One Drive rather than turn it off. I don't use it and it can be a big resource hog. I think it can still run in the background even when turned off. Seems to have a mind of its own.
10) It's much more secure than XP. Less checking needed.
11) You can still install Windows 7 games :) Best chess program out there.
I don't even bother to clean up files unless there's an issue. You can have trouble free computing for a very long time without doing much at all.
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My Computer
System One
-
- OS
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- Laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
- CPU
- Core i5
- Memory
- 16gb
- Hard Drives
- Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
- Cooling
- Could be better
- Internet Speed
- 200mbps Starlink
- Browser
- Firefox
- Other Info
- Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
