Windows 11 tweaks and usability improvements(kittenlabs.de)
kittenlabs.de
Windows 11 tweaks and usability improvements
https://kittenlabs.de/blog/2024/08/20/windows-11-tweaks-usability-improvements/
14 comments
> In defense of the much maligned Windows registry, I'll say: isn't it amazing that you can make such a wide array of changes via a single tool (regedit)? If you had to automate such changes on Linux, you would probably need a whole suite of tools.
Or NixOS, in which case it's a single file you have to load. :)
Or NixOS, in which case it's a single file you have to load. :)
Well yes and no. Windows registry almost always become unmantainable mess.
For simple dotfiles there are plenty tools to manage them on linux [0].
For more complex scenarios with multiple tools there is NixOS which can manage everything. [1]
[0] https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dotfiles [1] https://nixos.org
For simple dotfiles there are plenty tools to manage them on linux [0].
For more complex scenarios with multiple tools there is NixOS which can manage everything. [1]
[0] https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dotfiles [1] https://nixos.org
> isn't it amazing that you can make such a wide array of changes via a single tool (regedit)?
I mean with a basic text editor you can completely configure and control most Linux systems, and even add comments in the files to track changes or provide help where you need it. Many UNIX/Linux apps where automating settings would matter have the ability to have smaller config files that override main config files.
> If you had to automate such changes on Linux, you would probably need a whole suite of tools.
So this is because basic utility applications in Linux tend to be more independent of Linux as an operating system. I cannot remove Explorer, OneDrive, Windows Defender and a bunch of other stuff from Windows that isn't really actually Windows itself without other stuff breaking or worrying about what M$ will do on the next update. It's all weirdly and forcibly integrated, whereas in Linux, for example maybe nautilus has it's own config files in its own places, but if I want to remove it and use rox-filer or something else, it will be possible. And Linux minds its own business with antivirus and does not force me to send files to a third party for review at any time unless I want to.
We do have convergence happening around systemd so you may still get what you want here (systemd-confregistryd?).
> where editing text files would be the more difficult option
Sifting through rows and rows of CLSID GUIDs for file extensions just to change programs associated with file extensions is much more unpleasant.
I mean with a basic text editor you can completely configure and control most Linux systems, and even add comments in the files to track changes or provide help where you need it. Many UNIX/Linux apps where automating settings would matter have the ability to have smaller config files that override main config files.
> If you had to automate such changes on Linux, you would probably need a whole suite of tools.
So this is because basic utility applications in Linux tend to be more independent of Linux as an operating system. I cannot remove Explorer, OneDrive, Windows Defender and a bunch of other stuff from Windows that isn't really actually Windows itself without other stuff breaking or worrying about what M$ will do on the next update. It's all weirdly and forcibly integrated, whereas in Linux, for example maybe nautilus has it's own config files in its own places, but if I want to remove it and use rox-filer or something else, it will be possible. And Linux minds its own business with antivirus and does not force me to send files to a third party for review at any time unless I want to.
We do have convergence happening around systemd so you may still get what you want here (systemd-confregistryd?).
> where editing text files would be the more difficult option
Sifting through rows and rows of CLSID GUIDs for file extensions just to change programs associated with file extensions is much more unpleasant.
I will need to take a look at this list later. I just run Windows 11 LTSC and it’s great (previously ran 10 LTSC), curious how many of these are still relevant.
Honestly LTSC has been great for gaming. Highly recommend if you don’t want any compatibility issues and are running a dedicated gaming machine (so no need for any other crap on there)
Honestly LTSC has been great for gaming. Highly recommend if you don’t want any compatibility issues and are running a dedicated gaming machine (so no need for any other crap on there)
Are you referring to this? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-...
Yup
Don't fall for Microsoft's marketing that it is somehow a Windows that can't do normal things, that it is only suitable for Kiosks, or whatever other tactic they seem determined to use to discourage its use.
It is a perfectly capable Windows installation just without a lot of bloat. Any missing features (like the Windows Store) are easily installable.
I got better gaming performance compared to normal Windows 11.
Don't fall for Microsoft's marketing that it is somehow a Windows that can't do normal things, that it is only suitable for Kiosks, or whatever other tactic they seem determined to use to discourage its use.
It is a perfectly capable Windows installation just without a lot of bloat. Any missing features (like the Windows Store) are easily installable.
I got better gaming performance compared to normal Windows 11.
Well eventually you had games and applications not supporting Windows 10 LTSC because it was so outdated in terms of available APIs. Windows 11 is so new, you’re not at that point yet.
I might have lucked out since I was using 10 LTSC up until 11 LTSC was... leaked? I don't know the full story.
I never had any compatibility issue, it does get some updates.
I never had any compatibility issue, it does get some updates.
Does a normal windows 11 key work on this or do you need a special license
Unfortunately no, Microsoft really does not want normal users using this since it removes a lot of the features they are pushing (like Copilot) and a lot of the telemetry is removed. Especially since it really shows how well Windows can actually run when all of the crap isn't there. So there is not a way for a normal user to get a key.
My personal ethical opinion, I have a license key for Windows 11 already. Microsoft does not give me the ability to get a key for LTSC, so I don't have any qualms about using a script to activate it.
My personal ethical opinion, I have a license key for Windows 11 already. Microsoft does not give me the ability to get a key for LTSC, so I don't have any qualms about using a script to activate it.
I don't know if I have a unique configuration on my Windows 11 machine besides having several OneDrive and SharePoint folders mapped to various places on disk (with every folder always downloading everything so it's available offline) but the Windows 11 file explorer has a completely borked search function which:
A: will reset the text content of the search bar as I'm typing when it finishes a search from 3 keystrokes ago and
B: doesn't show exact string matches, "no results found", but when I delete a few letters from the query, the exact match suddenly appears
So my favorite tweak and usability improvement is that you can pull up Control Panel and type "Desktop" into the address bar and it will transmogrify into the classic windows 7 file explorer that doesn't have a broken search box. Wish I had a way to map this to be my default file explorer.
A: will reset the text content of the search bar as I'm typing when it finishes a search from 3 keystrokes ago and
B: doesn't show exact string matches, "no results found", but when I delete a few letters from the query, the exact match suddenly appears
So my favorite tweak and usability improvement is that you can pull up Control Panel and type "Desktop" into the address bar and it will transmogrify into the classic windows 7 file explorer that doesn't have a broken search box. Wish I had a way to map this to be my default file explorer.
I gather that File Explorer in Windows 11 was re-written from scratch and that's why it was missing basic features and UI patterns from previous versions when it launched.
Not to mention abysmal file copy performance.
They claim to be adding things back over time but it probably depends on the college timetables of the Mac-native interns that apparently work on the Shell team these days.
edit: some ways to get back to the old explorer. I haven't tried doing this myself.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/restore-classic-file-explorer-...
Not to mention abysmal file copy performance.
They claim to be adding things back over time but it probably depends on the college timetables of the Mac-native interns that apparently work on the Shell team these days.
edit: some ways to get back to the old explorer. I haven't tried doing this myself.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/restore-classic-file-explorer-...
It’s not you, search is completely broken for me. Also, the address bar changes when displaying search results, and then gets stuck randomly.
Only thing I can’t figure out is this must be affecting all Microsoft employees? Why has management not thrown a fit?
Only thing I can’t figure out is this must be affecting all Microsoft employees? Why has management not thrown a fit?
Have you tried Search Everything? It's much better and searches instantly without indexing.
> searches instantly without indexing
Though note that this is only on local NTFS volumes, as it does it by scanning the MFT instead of walking the directory tree long-hand.
It can still search everything else (network connected filesystems, FAT/exFAT volumes) of course, just not with the extra speed.
Though note that this is only on local NTFS volumes, as it does it by scanning the MFT instead of walking the directory tree long-hand.
It can still search everything else (network connected filesystems, FAT/exFAT volumes) of course, just not with the extra speed.
There is also https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil, which works for Windows 10 too
A lot of these can be done with O&O ShutUp10 with a GUI and toggles if that's more your thing too.
I think only the file explorer tweaks aren't in it.
I think only the file explorer tweaks aren't in it.
For explorer tweaks, I've been using https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki for a while. Though it hacks around a bit so has been known to break after Windows Updates until a new release goes out (which was PDQ the only time things broke for me).
> lot of these can be done with O&O
O&O AppBuster is good stuff. I used it all the time. I only transitioned to my own lists because of how often I decrapify customer machines.
O&O AppBuster is good stuff. I used it all the time. I only transitioned to my own lists because of how often I decrapify customer machines.
> because of how often I decrapify customer machines.
In the last month or so, one of the recent crap-loaded Win10 updates reinstalled the crapware after a reboot. Usually twice.
As in: WU, clean, reboot. Login and the apps are back. Clean again, reboot. After 5 minutes the apps reinstall again. Clean, reboot.
I had this happen on about 8 systems - about half of the ones I updated. These were clean installs and established systems.
I discovered this by accident. I normally don't reboot.
In the last month or so, one of the recent crap-loaded Win10 updates reinstalled the crapware after a reboot. Usually twice.
As in: WU, clean, reboot. Login and the apps are back. Clean again, reboot. After 5 minutes the apps reinstall again. Clean, reboot.
I had this happen on about 8 systems - about half of the ones I updated. These were clean installs and established systems.
I discovered this by accident. I normally don't reboot.
ShutUp10 does have a toggle to prevent automated app installs, sometimes on a major windows feature update I'll see 1-2 new apps show up, but overall it stops a lot of the crud.
Is it worth upgrading from 10 to 11 yet? I downgraded back to 10 after I had to change default programs by individual file associations rather than having a 1-click option for default audio player etc.
I switched at the start of 2023 and it’s been fine. It doesn’t seem all that different. It probably took me a week to adjust my muscle memory after configuring things the way I like them. But then I don’t spend all that much time just dealing with Windows. I start Visual Studio, a browser, and a few other applications and that’s where I spend 99% of my time and Windows 10 vs 11 doesn’t really affect that.
But then I like to change things once in a while enjoy learning new things.
But then I like to change things once in a while enjoy learning new things.
I will cling to Windows 10 for as long as I possibly can.
There's really nothing new IMO to make it worth while
I routinely get automatic system updates that kill my wifi on a Thinkpad requiring a system restore rollback
I routinely get automatic system updates that kill my wifi on a Thinkpad requiring a system restore rollback
She's fairly thorough. I see some good additions to my set.
I'd guess she has a different list of powershell commands to uninstall apps.
(My lists are on a home IIS/text files/NAS. Edit over VPN. I use them every week to clean client machines.)
I'd guess she has a different list of powershell commands to uninstall apps.
(My lists are on a home IIS/text files/NAS. Edit over VPN. I use them every week to clean client machines.)
How many of these tweeks can be done without editing the Registry? And if they are all registry modifications can’t you just backup the registry before applying the changes?
I haven't tried Windows 11 but on 10, a lot of these tweaks and opt-outs are available in the system settings now.
You can backup the registry or create restore points but I don't think that you can selectively revert these changes like a commit. If you don't intend to reinstall Windows often, I would just take the time to go through these settings manually instead to be on the safe side...
You can backup the registry or create restore points but I don't think that you can selectively revert these changes like a commit. If you don't intend to reinstall Windows often, I would just take the time to go through these settings manually instead to be on the safe side...
This is what "System Restore" is for: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/use-system-resto...
It looks like they're all registry modifications, yes.
It looks like they're all registry modifications, yes.
I have had issues where a restore point didn't revert certain registry settings and have had to do a full reinstall.
Can you give some more info? Which version of Windows? Because I've never had a system restore go crazy unless a hard drive has gotten corrupted.
Wouldn't doing it through a UI still result in the changes being saved to the registry?
Bookmarking for when I get forced into windows 11
You can click on the “favorite” link at the top of the page and it will be saved in your profile making it very easy to find in the future.
I was here a long time before I noticed that.
Something I recently realized: I may packet-sniff, dev tool, download the site for examination but I don't think to look for features until I have to.
I suspect I'm incurious about what's on offer due to built-up mistrust (the present paying for past sins).
Something I recently realized: I may packet-sniff, dev tool, download the site for examination but I don't think to look for features until I have to.
I suspect I'm incurious about what's on offer due to built-up mistrust (the present paying for past sins).
Or.. just switch to a more user friendly operating system like Debian or Pop_OS.
I know I'm not installing Windows again on my machines anytime soon.
I know I'm not installing Windows again on my machines anytime soon.
The one that just turns my screen black on "sleep" and leave backlight on? The one that shows my desktop for 0.5s before going into lock screen after I close and reopen lids?
That's what I get from a Debian install on a 2017 (!) ThinkPad. Sorry, 2024 is still not the year of Linux desktop.
That's what I get from a Debian install on a 2017 (!) ThinkPad. Sorry, 2024 is still not the year of Linux desktop.
Try using Linux exclusively for a few years, then switch back to Windows. You will discover that Windows has just as many quirks as Linux.
Take sleep. While I have not run into situations where Windows will leave the backlight on, I have run into situations where Windows will remain connected to Bluetooth devices. A more disconcerting quirk is pulling a very hot laptop out of a bag. For some reason there are scenarios where Windows will keep chugging along in the background even though there are no peripherals connected and the lid is shut.
Sometimes the criticisms of Linux's readiness are hilarious when compared to Windows, because the criticisms are more valid of Windows. The hardware I own is reasonably compatible with Linux. I can install it without issue. There are even cute benefits like the printer being automatically detected and ready to use. In contrast, installing Windows is a bit of an adventure. Simply getting through the installer involves doing some googling, pulling up a command prompt, and installing a network driver. If I don't do that, I won't get through the OOBE and to the desktop. Incidentally, I'm going through the installer without a pointer: neither the touchpad nor touchscreen will work until their own drivers are installed. Windows will pickup on and install those drivers with a system update, but that is done after the OOBE has completed. Incidentally, the hardware in question is a two year old Lenovo that shipped with Windows and was never intended to run Linux.
I am not bringing up these issues to cheer for Linux, nor am I doing so to proclaim how much Windows sucks. I fully realize that most Windows users won't bump into the installation issues since it comes preinstalled, or because a typical Windows "reinstall" is a system restore that doesn't wipe out all of the drivers. I also fully realize that there are many usability quirks with Linux that I am blind to since I have used Linux for decades. (Yet the same can be said of Windows users who have used Windows for decades.)
The reality is that switching operating systems takes effort. The reality is that individual experiences will vary for any operating system. Sweeping generalizations like "X is the year of the Linux desktop" or "X is not the year of the Linux desktop" simply aren't useful since the experience of adopting Linux depends as much on the individual, on their background and willingness to accept change, as it does on the readiness of Linux.
But if people still want to make such generalizations, I hope they don't mind if I declare that 2024 is still not the year of the Windows desktop because, in my case, it isn't.
Take sleep. While I have not run into situations where Windows will leave the backlight on, I have run into situations where Windows will remain connected to Bluetooth devices. A more disconcerting quirk is pulling a very hot laptop out of a bag. For some reason there are scenarios where Windows will keep chugging along in the background even though there are no peripherals connected and the lid is shut.
Sometimes the criticisms of Linux's readiness are hilarious when compared to Windows, because the criticisms are more valid of Windows. The hardware I own is reasonably compatible with Linux. I can install it without issue. There are even cute benefits like the printer being automatically detected and ready to use. In contrast, installing Windows is a bit of an adventure. Simply getting through the installer involves doing some googling, pulling up a command prompt, and installing a network driver. If I don't do that, I won't get through the OOBE and to the desktop. Incidentally, I'm going through the installer without a pointer: neither the touchpad nor touchscreen will work until their own drivers are installed. Windows will pickup on and install those drivers with a system update, but that is done after the OOBE has completed. Incidentally, the hardware in question is a two year old Lenovo that shipped with Windows and was never intended to run Linux.
I am not bringing up these issues to cheer for Linux, nor am I doing so to proclaim how much Windows sucks. I fully realize that most Windows users won't bump into the installation issues since it comes preinstalled, or because a typical Windows "reinstall" is a system restore that doesn't wipe out all of the drivers. I also fully realize that there are many usability quirks with Linux that I am blind to since I have used Linux for decades. (Yet the same can be said of Windows users who have used Windows for decades.)
The reality is that switching operating systems takes effort. The reality is that individual experiences will vary for any operating system. Sweeping generalizations like "X is the year of the Linux desktop" or "X is not the year of the Linux desktop" simply aren't useful since the experience of adopting Linux depends as much on the individual, on their background and willingness to accept change, as it does on the readiness of Linux.
But if people still want to make such generalizations, I hope they don't mind if I declare that 2024 is still not the year of the Windows desktop because, in my case, it isn't.
macOS also does show desktop and apps for half a second when I reopen the lid, before falling back to showing the login prompt. super annoying. (M3 MacBook Pro, so reasonably new)
> The one that shows my desktop for 0.5s before going into lock screen after I close and reopen lids?
It's 2024, and it's still not even the year of the Linux lock screen... loginctl unlock-session 5
I'm using Linux exclusively since two decades, but I think I've never had a fully working lock screen setup.
It's 2024, and it's still not even the year of the Linux lock screen... loginctl unlock-session 5
I'm using Linux exclusively since two decades, but I think I've never had a fully working lock screen setup.
ThinkPad != Desktop
There also isn't such a thing as the linux lockscreen
There also isn't such a thing as the linux lockscreen
Debian != Linux
The very first line is "Sometimes using Windows is inevitable."
I wish that Linux would at least try to seriously copy the UX of the MacOS. If apple can make a desktop OS that jsut works, why do i have to break my back on:
- Figure out which distro actually works on a "linux teady (tm)" hardware
- installing vpn in Linux
- cycle between different package managers looking for an up-to-date version of a software that I need
- not need to worry about differences between different distros and death by a thousand small gaps between them
- have a reliable and secure faceid that leverages dedicated hardware, not needing to compromise on security on the easier to break and flunky photo-id
etc, etc.
I hate windows with all my heart, but I can only see myself migrating to MacOS. I've tried migrating to Linux multiple times, but it always ended in multiple days of googling, copying miles of bash woodoo from the internet (lots of it, and too many issues to have time to understand what I am pasting), and other issues that make the barrier of entry just too high.
etc, etc.
I hate windows with all my heart, but I can only see myself migrating to MacOS. I've tried migrating to Linux multiple times, but it always ended in multiple days of googling, copying miles of bash woodoo from the internet (lots of it, and too many issues to have time to understand what I am pasting), and other issues that make the barrier of entry just too high.
So this may come off as salty but in just wondering if I'm the only one
After years if Windows (at work) and Linux at home, I'm now using a Mac at work... Boy...it has its share of warts (like the other two)...and, imho, not the apex of design/usability that everyone raves about
1. Can't show address bar in finder... Seriously, go copy windows or any DE explorer 2. System bar (menu bar?)doesn't handle overflow? Where are the pitchforks ? Have to install Ice from github 3. Wanted to launch an app with CLI params and the Automator etc seems clunky... Both Linux and win do this better
I like the hw and battery life and the sw stack (nix) but UX is at par with windows minus sneaky behaviour.. I mostly don't care since primary goal was a nix for development but UX was a let down... I'll take GNOME any day ( is been rock solid and I don't recall the last time it crashed)
Yet, even here on hn I've never come across any griping at Mac os ux niggles ever
After years if Windows (at work) and Linux at home, I'm now using a Mac at work... Boy...it has its share of warts (like the other two)...and, imho, not the apex of design/usability that everyone raves about
1. Can't show address bar in finder... Seriously, go copy windows or any DE explorer 2. System bar (menu bar?)doesn't handle overflow? Where are the pitchforks ? Have to install Ice from github 3. Wanted to launch an app with CLI params and the Automator etc seems clunky... Both Linux and win do this better
I like the hw and battery life and the sw stack (nix) but UX is at par with windows minus sneaky behaviour.. I mostly don't care since primary goal was a nix for development but UX was a let down... I'll take GNOME any day ( is been rock solid and I don't recall the last time it crashed)
Yet, even here on hn I've never come across any griping at Mac os ux niggles ever
> Can't show address bar in finder...
Technically true but… i’m curious in which situation this is a problem for you? 99.9% of times I used the address bar on Windows is either copy-pasting the current path in the console (but on Mac I simply drag whatever file/folder on the terminal window et voilà, nicely shell-escaped too), or to go to a different folder (and either the bottom Finder hierarchy or cmd-g take care of most of that).
Technically true but… i’m curious in which situation this is a problem for you? 99.9% of times I used the address bar on Windows is either copy-pasting the current path in the console (but on Mac I simply drag whatever file/folder on the terminal window et voilà, nicely shell-escaped too), or to go to a different folder (and either the bottom Finder hierarchy or cmd-g take care of most of that).
Yeah.. I get by with cmd g...
In rooting for Asahi.. Linux on Mac hw would be so nice
Realistically though, in spite of the heroic effort it'll always be crippled in some way OR if they manage to close the gap enough, Apple might still screw them (and end users) over with the next firmware update
In rooting for Asahi.. Linux on Mac hw would be so nice
Realistically though, in spite of the heroic effort it'll always be crippled in some way OR if they manage to close the gap enough, Apple might still screw them (and end users) over with the next firmware update
Simple solution. Do what you would do with a Mac and buy a computer with Linux preinstalled.
> not need to worry about differences between different distros and death by a thousand small gaps between them
Why do you care about small differences. Just pick one.
> cycle between different package managers looking for an up-to-date version of a software that I need - not need to worry about differences between different distros and death by a thousand small gaps between them
Why do you need the very latest version of software? Yes, a traditional stable distribution will not have the latest versions of everything in its repos but I think that is fine.
If it is a problem for you use a distribution that uses flatpack or snap. That is very like MacOS.
I have installed many versions of Linux over the years, and some might take a few hours to setup but I have never spent days fixing stuff.
> not need to worry about differences between different distros and death by a thousand small gaps between them
Why do you care about small differences. Just pick one.
> cycle between different package managers looking for an up-to-date version of a software that I need - not need to worry about differences between different distros and death by a thousand small gaps between them
Why do you need the very latest version of software? Yes, a traditional stable distribution will not have the latest versions of everything in its repos but I think that is fine.
If it is a problem for you use a distribution that uses flatpack or snap. That is very like MacOS.
I have installed many versions of Linux over the years, and some might take a few hours to setup but I have never spent days fixing stuff.
Reading your priorities, Fedora Workstation could be a good pick for you next time you get momentum. Complement the distro packages with flatpak, podman (docker replacement), and/or nix according to preference.
(No idea about face-id tho)
(No idea about face-id tho)
Look I love Debian a lot but I'd never classify it as a user friendly distro. There are forks of Arch that are friendlier than Debian across the board. most users can't deal with hardware not working and Debian seems to excel at that.
Bruh, never ever recommend debian family. Its such trash.
At least recommend Fedora.
At least recommend Fedora.
Windows takes wayy more work than Fedora to make it usable. The tables have turned.
This broke Wifi on my PC because it disables WinHttpAutoProxy service.
I'm now forever calling Control Panel "Systemsteuerung".
It's like trying to make a cupcake out of a turd.
And while some of my systems now run linux, as the post says: "Sometimes using Windows is inevitable."
In defense of the much maligned Windows registry, I'll say: isn't it amazing that you can make such a wide array of changes via a single tool (regedit)? If you had to automate such changes on Linux, you would probably need a whole suite of tools. In some cases, you'd write a file into a `.d` directory. In other cases, you can `echo '...' >> subsystem.cfg`. In yet other cases, you'll need `sed -i`. Maybe `awk` gets the job done where `sed` is too simple. Maybe there are more complex cases, where you'd need the power of `perl` (or python or ...) to make the edit. And some subsystems come with their own suite of manipulation tools (ZFS, systemd, etc.) where editing text files would be the more difficult option.