TIP : Autorun and Startup
Make sure that when Windows starts up, nothing unnecessary is running in the background by deleting the objects you don't use and are useless to you. Check the entries in MS Explorer AND in Registry Editor AND Task Manager, they are not the same.
Startup folders in MS Explorer
There are two startup folder locations in Windows 10.
One is for currently logged-on user, and one is for all users.
These folders are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up by placing the application shortcut in the folder.
The best way to open the startup folders in Windows 10, is to enter the path in address bar of MS Explorer.
For the current logged-in user, type: shell:startup or %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
For all the users, type: shell:common startup or %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
Startup keys in Registry Editor
There are two startup registry folders in Windows 10.
One is for currently logged-on user, and one is for all users.
These folders are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up.
To access the Windows Registry Editor:
Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type regedit, then hit ENTER.
For the current logged-in user, Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
For all the users, Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
Startup entries in Task Manager
There are also entries in the Task Manager.
These entries are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up.
To access the Task Manager Startup tab:
On your keyboard press and hold CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, or right click on the Taskbar and click Task Manager, then go to the Startup tab.
You can disable the entries you don't need by right click on the items then click Disable.
TIP : Privacy on Windows 10
Source : Rob Braxman Tech :
[1] YouTube |
[2] LBRY
In Windows 10 Operating System, there are some privacy concerns to consider.
No Microsoft ID
When Microsoft asks you to create a Microsoft account, DO NOT! You do not have to! Use a local account instead.
NOTE: If during a new installation of Windows 10, Microsoft requires you to create a Microsoft account, go back to the previous step, before it asks you to create an account, then turn off your internet connection, then continue the process installer to create a local account.
Multi Users
Create two local accounts, one Admin account, which you call User, then create a second User account, you call that one Admin. This is the one you will use for everyday uses.
Admin Account called User and then User account you name Admin.
This trick will help to confuse potential threats.
Computer Name
Prefer a generic computer name, avoid personal infos, names like "john's computer".
Disable Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)
It is generally safe and often recommended to disable Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT) for most personal and home users. Intel AMT is primarily designed for enterprise environments to allow remote management of computers. If you do not need these remote management capabilities, disabling AMT can reduce your system's attack surface and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities.
You can disable AMT with this tool : DisableAMT.
Eliminate Cortana
By using Cortana you send to Microsoft the following data:
Location, email, text, messages data, calandar data, apps used, contact list, who is calling you, frequent contacts, alarm settings, music on your device, what you purchase, search history, and more...
Completely remove Cortana with a powershell command:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage
NOTE: Cortana is completely discontinued and no longer supported on Windows 10, with the standalone app having been officially retired in August 2023 and all remaining features fully removed by June 2024. While the app icon might technically remain visible on some unupdated legacy Windows 10 builds, it is non-functional, displaying only a deprecation notice, as Microsoft has shifted its entire AI strategy to Windows Copilot, which serves as the modern, GPT-4 powered replacement for productivity and assistance tasks.
Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive
Unless you encrypt your files, you do not want to send your files to Microsoft. You can uninstall OneDrive via Windows App Manager.
Turn Off Activity History
Activity History records every files you open!
Go to Settings → Privacy, disable all the settings.
Make it easier with the help of O&O ShutUp10
Disable Telemetry
Go to Settings → Privacy, disable all settings.
Make it easier with the help of O&O ShutUp10
Remove preinstalled antivirus and useless softwares
Make it easier with the help of O&O AppBuster.
Browser Setup
Choosing a browser is a personal thing, but if you worry about privacy, a good choice would be Mozilla Firefox.
Have a look at our guide on how to configure Firefox.
Use a second Hard Dirve
Save your data on an external Hard Drive. If the worst appens, you just need to reinstall the system.
Use Thunderbird as email client
Thunderbird primarily for its open-source architecture and local data storage, which prevent the client itself from scanning messages for advertising or data mining. Unlike proprietary webmail services, Thunderbird offers privacy-first defaults such as blocking remote content (tracking pixels) and supports built-in end-to-end encryption via OpenPGP and S/MIME. However, it is crucial to note that while the client protects data on your device, it cannot prevent your email provider (e.g., Gmail) from processing or scanning messages on their servers; maximum privacy is achieved only when pairing Thunderbird with a secure, privacy-focused email provider
Our page on Thunderbird here.