Windows 10


 * https://appuals.com/solved-task-host-window-prevents-shut-down-in-windows-810/


 * https://www.cnet.com/how-to/11-things-to-tweak-when-setting-up-a-windows-10-laptop/
 * https://www.windowscentral.com/how-stop-updates-installing-automatically-windows-10
 * https://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/02/how-to-remove-core-apps-in-windows-10/
 * https://www.howtogeek.com/225973/how-to-disable-onedrive-and-remove-it-from-file-explorer-on-windows-10/
 * https://www.askvg.com/guide-how-to-remove-all-built-in-apps-in-windows-10/
 * https://www.howtogeek.com/224798/how-to-uninstall-windows-10s-built-in-apps-and-how-to-reinstall-them/
 * http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4689-apps-uninstall-windows-10-a.html
 * http://betanews.com/2016/06/03/disable-windows-10-live-tiles/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/07/28/free-up-windows-10-disk-space-with-compact-os/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/07/how-to-change-time-and-language-formats-in-windows-10/
 * http://thehackernews.com/2015/09/windows10-keylogger-security.html
 * http://news.softpedia.com/news/how-to-remove-windows-10-installation-files-from-windows-7-and-windows-8-1-pcs-491602.shtml?utm_source=spd_hotlatest&utm_medium=spd_hotlatest&utm_campaign=spd_hotlatest
 * http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsoft-downloads-windows-10-on-windows-7-8-pcs-even-if-users-don-t-want-to-491481.shtml
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/10/windows-10-may-already-be-on-your-pc-even-if-you-dont-want-it/
 * http://www.softpedia.com/blog/destroy-windows-10-spying-updated-with-more-microsoft-hosts-and-ips-to-block-491491.shtml
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/03/how-to-disable-or-delay-taskbar-previews-in-windows-10/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/01/how-to-make-windows-10s-search-lightning-fast-and-more-useful/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-create-list-of-all-encrypted-files-on-all-local-drives-in-windows-10-8-1-and-7/
 * http://techspanda.com/how-to-track-your-missing-windows-10-pc-or-tablet/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-change-operating-system-name-at-startup-in-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-generate-report-of-battery-usage-in-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-change-desktop-icon-spacing-horizontal-and-vertical-in-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-let-apps-access-and-send-email-in-windows-10/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/01/08/disableosupgrade-prevents-the-upgrade-to-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-reset-the-screenshot-index-counter-in-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-disable-telemetry-and-data-collection-in-windows-10/
 * http://mywindowshub.com/check-enable-disable-ssd-trim-support-windows-10/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/21/fix-windows-10-start-menu-problems/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/20/fix-namespace-is-already-defined-errors/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/19/repair-tasks-task-image-corrupt/
 * http://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/18/turn-off-windows-10-features/


 * https://forums.redacted.tv/threads/ultimate-windows-10-gaming-tweak-guide.1205/
 * http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/optimize-windows-10-gaming/

HOWTO: Fix Error: Cannot Connect To Samba Share
Instructions

Animated Image Showing Instructions

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

Perform A Full Shutdown
Create a shortcut inserting the following command:

"C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe" /k shutdown /s /f /t 0

From Lifehacker

Add Program To Startup
Press Windows Logo Key + R then type shell:startup and press OK

Event Log Viewer
http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed

HOWTO: Upgrade Fresh Install From Windows 7 8
This method creates Boot media

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/operating-systems/1401617/how-to-clean-install-windows-10-and-create-boot-media

Build Release Logs
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4340917/windows-10-update-kb4340917

New/Improved/Removed Features in Windows 10 Release 1803

 * https://www.howtogeek.com/340688/whats-coming-in-windows-10s-redstone-4-update-available-march-2018/
 * https://pureinfotech.com/windows-10-redstone-4-version-1803-new-features/
 * https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/planning/windows-10-1803-removed-features
 * https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/whats-new-in-windows-10-version-1803-the-spring-creators-update/
 * https://www.cnet.com/how-to/best-new-features-of-windows-10-april-2018-update/
 * https://thewincentral.com/windows-10-redstone-4-changes-new-features-28978/
 * https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-settings-app-windows-10-april-2018-update
 * http://www.pcassistonline.co.uk/HelpandAdvice/whats-new-in-windows-10-1803.html

User Accounts System Window

 * 1) Log in as Administrator
 * 2) Press Windows key + R
 * 3) Type control userpasswords2 and click OK
 * 4) Click on add under users tab
 * 5) Click the option, "Sign-in without a Microsoft account
 * 6) Click on Local account
 * 7) Choose a name for the account
 * 8) Add password
 * 9) Apply and click OK

Thanks - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-security/windows-10-cant-add-another-user/6cd430b1-4789-46c3-ac66-93c0b1797a17

Enable Boot In To Safe Mode

 * 1) Start Menu
 * 2) Power options
 * 3) Press and hold down 'Shift' key, then click 'Restart'

Thanks - https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-in-windows-10

Enable Emergency Restart
https://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/enable-emergency-restart-on-windows-10.html

Backup System
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-2569587/back-windows.html

An external hard drive is best for backing up to, you will probably need in excess of 60GB of space.

Windows Explorer
Is now know as 'File Explorer'.

Mounting A Hibernated Hard Drive Under Linux As Read-Only
Explanation: Why Linux can't open hibernated Windows partitions:

You are seeing this error because you hibernated Windows instead of turning it off the normal way (in newer versions of Windows, hibernate might be the default option).


 * Hibernating saves the current state information to the hard disk and then powers down the computer.
 * Shutting down the computer closes all programs and ends all running processes before powering down the computer.

When you turn off Windows by hibernating it, you are essentially pausing the system and saving all of that information (into a big file called hiberfil.sys) This way when you resume from hibernation all of your applications and files will be exactly how you left them. It also sets a flag in hiberfil.sys to let other Operating Systems know that Windows is hibernated.

Making changes to your Windows (ntfs) partition while it is hibernated could be dangerous--it could cause Windows to not resume from hibernation or to crash after resuming. Because of this, the tool (ntfs-3g) that mounts (opens) the partition will not mount it in read-write mode if it sees a hibernation flag. As such, Nautilus, the default file browser, will not be able to automatically open this partition--hence the error message that you see--because it is trying to open it in read-write mode.

Workaround for all versions of Windows:

There are three ways to mount a hibernated Windows partition:

Boot into Windows and power down the system by shutting it down completely. You may then boot back into Ubuntu and the partition will mount in read-write mode automatically when you open it in Nautilus. Note that the "Shut Down" option may not be the one displayed in your start menu by default. You may need to click the button next to it to see further options.

Manually mount the filesystem in read only mode.

Check to see if you have a mount point (folder for mounting your partition in) for your Windows partition in the folder /media using this command:

ls /media

If you don't see a folder for your Windows partition, you should create one with the following command:

sudo mkdir /media/windows Next, mount the partition in read-only mode onto this folder with this command:

mount -t ntfs-3g -o ro /dev/sda3 /media/windows

Note that you should change /media/windows if your mountpoint is called something else.

Now you will be able to view/open files on your Windows partition using any program in Ubuntu. However you will not be able to write to the partition or modify any files as it is in read only mode.

If you need to mount the partition in read-write mode and are not able to or willing to boot into Windows and shut it down completely there is a third option. However, it is not included here because it completely deletes hiberfil.sys and will cause you to lose all unsaved information in the hibernated Windows programs. The following is a quotation from man ntfs-3g about the option that would be used to do this.

remove_hiberfile Unlike in case of read-only  mount,  the  read-write  mount  is                  denied  if  the  NTFS  volume is hibernated. One needs either to                 resume Windows and shutdown it  properly,  or  use  this  option which will  remove  the  Windows hibernation file. Please note, this means that the saved Windows session  will  be  completely lost. Use this option under your own responsibility.

The above tutorial was mercilessly ripped from AskUbuntu as I had a headache from working with Windows and was not in the mood to do a re-write.

Sign Out
The option to Sign (Log) Out is not available from the Start Menu's Power button.

Instead open the Start Menu and at the top left will be displayed the name of the current user.

Right click on the username to access the shell menu which will have options:


 * Change account settings
 * Lock
 * Sign out

Install Windows 7 Style Menu

 * https://www.whattechsays.com/download-install-windows-7-start-menu-in-windows-10/
 * http://classicshell.net/

Windows Magnifier
Key combination...

Windows + Esc

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-magnifier-windows-10

Automatic Reboot After Windows Updates
Altering the GPO or Registry to prevent rebooting no longer appears to work in Windows 10.

Follow the guide at Ghacks.

Customer Experience
http://windowsreport.com/opt-out-microsoft-customer-experience-windows-10/

Fast Boot
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4189-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-10-a.html

http://www.windowsbleu.com/2014/10/how-to-turn-fast-startup-off-for.html

Group Policy
Local Computer Policy | User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Start Menu and Taskbar | Notifications.
 * Run | gpedit.msc
 * In the lefthand pane navigate to the following policy group:
 * In the righthand pane locate the entry 'Turn off tile notifications'.
 * Double-click the entry, and on that opens set it to 'Enabled'.

Registry

 * Run | regedit.exe
 * If required confirm the UAC prompt that appears.
 * Navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications
 * Right-click on PushNotifications and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
 * Name it NoTileApplicationNotification.
 * Double-click the item afterwards and set its value to 1.

Thanks to Ghacks.

Smart Multi-Homed Name Resolution

 * Open regedit
 * Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient
 * Right-click on DNSClient and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
 * Name the Dword DisableSmartNameResolution.
 * Set its value to 1.
 * Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters
 * Right-click on Parameters and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
 * Name it DisableParallelAandAAAA.
 * Set its value to 1.

Thanks to Ghacks.

Store Using (Local) Group Policy - Pro Only

 * Run gpedit.msc
 * Left hand pane - Local Computer Policy > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store
 * Right hand pane, open 'Turn off the store application', select 'Enable' and finally click 'OK'

Windows Defender - Realtime Monitoring On Windows Server 10
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true

To re-enable:

Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false

Thanks to The Windows Club.


 * http://www.ilovefreesoftware.com/01/windows-10/manually-disable-windows-defender-windows-10.html

Administrator (SUPER User) Account
This tweak will enable the Administrator (super user) account to be shown on the Welcome Screen.

Windows 10 Professional has a built-in administrator account that is by default disabled and hidden. In Windows 10 the administrator account is true super user account (equivalent to root in Unix/Linux), while all other accounts designated as administrators are not 'super users'. The advantage of using the super user administrator account is that it is not subjected to UAC (User Access Control) restriction. The following instructions detail how to enable the super user administrator account:

Click on the Orb/Start button and type 'cmd' (without the speech marks)

Right click on the result 'cmd' then click on the option "Run as administrator"

net user administrator /active:yes

Press enter, then exit the command prompt

To reverse:

net user administrator /active:no

Log out, then back in and set a password.

MP3 Playback
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3145500/media-feature-pack-list-for-windows-n-editions

Bitlocker without TPM
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-security/error-message-trying-to-start-bitlocker-on-win10/146091ff-15c4-4347-a0c0-55ee86cb4e6c?auth=1

Microsoft Edge Use By Administrator (SUPER User) Account
The following assumes you have already enabled the true administrator account.

By default the true administrator account cannot run the new Edge browser for security reasons (not sure what these reasons are but you know; Microsoft). Here is how to enable its use:

Windows Professional:


 * Win+R, type 'secpol.msc' then press the 'OK' button.
 * Local Policies | Security Options
 * Locate the entry “User Account Control Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account“
 * Double click on it to open the options dialogue and set the policy to 'Enabled'
 * Reboot the system

Windows Home:


 * Win+R, type regedit.exe then press the 'OK' button.
 * Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
 * Create a DWORD value if it doesn’t already exist called FilterAdministratorToken
 * Set the value of FilterAdministratorToken to 1


 * Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\UIPI\
 * Edit the Default string key to 0x00000001(1)


 * Close regedit
 * Set the User Account Control Setting is set to the third level.
 * To get to UAC from the Windows 10 search type uac, it should appear as “Change User Account Control Settings“.

Thanks to Virtualization How To.

Quick Launch Toolbar
For a full tutorial with pictures on adding the Quick Launch Toolbar to Windows 7 follow this link.

Right click on the taskbar and select 'Lock the taskbar'

Right click on the taskbar and select 'Toolbars' --> 'New toolbar'

In the address bar of the resulting window paste the following:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Then click the 'Select Folder' button

The new Quick Launch toolbar will now appear on the right hand side of the taskbar which as it is unlocked will allow you to move it about.

Once positioned right click on the Quick Launch toolbar and remove text from icons and the bar itself.

Storage Sense
http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2018/04/27/free-up-space-on-your-hard-drive-automatically-with-windows-10s-storage-sense-feature

System Time
Start Administrator's Command Prompt (Win+X)

w32tm /register sc start W32Time w32tm /config /update /manualpeerlist:”pool.ntp.org”

Default Programs Installation Drive and Folder
To change the registry, follow these steps:


 * 1) Start Registry Editor by entering “Regedit” in the search All programs.
 * 2) Locate the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
 * 3) Right click on the value named ProgramFilesDir & change the default value C:\Program Files to the path you want to install all your programs in.
 * 4) Click OK and Exit.

Windows, by default, will now install your programs in the new drive or path.

http://www.intowindows.com/change-default-installation-directory-in-windows-7-vista/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/how-do-you-change-the-default-installation/73450b25-d794-4f18-9add-75253b893343

Control Panel To Display All Icons (Classic View) (Professional & Ultimate)

 * RUN gpedit.msc


 * In the left hand pane click through:

'User Configuration' --> 'Administrative Templates' --> 'Control Panel'


 * In the right hand pane double click on:

'Always open All Control Panel Items when opening the Control Panel'


 * Select:

'Enabled'

Apps
First list all of the installed Apps to find the install name used to remove the App, this needs to done as Administrator in the Powershell:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Then to remove:

Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.BingWeather* | Remove-AppxPackage

The above method only removes the App on a per user basis.

Mixed Reality Portal from Settings

 * Run 'regedit'
 * Navigate to - HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Holographic
 * Locate DWORD value 'FirstRunSucceeded' and set to '0'

Black Screen & Cursor
This could be an issue with the graphics card trying to output its feed to a non-existent source.

Try pressing the Windows key & P (possibly several times) to see if you are presented with the source options.

Icon Cache

 * Right click on the start menu icon and select "Command Prompt (Admin)"
 * bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
 * ie4uinit.exe -ClearIconCache
 * taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
 * DEL “%localappdata%\IconCache.db” /A
 * shutdown /r /f /t 00

NOTE: The final command will immediately reboot the computer.

Store App Will Not Open
Method One:

Make sure you have a Microsoft account set up.

Method Two: