I like Windows, however that doesn’t imply I like all the things about it. In reality, Windows can behave in lots of very annoying methods till you make some tweaks.When I arrange any Windows PC for the primary time, I at all times discover myself fixing a couple of issues to make Windows much less obnoxious. Some of them are downright hidden — do you know you could possibly cease the Start menu from looking Bing, for instance?Here are seven of essentially the most annoying facets of contemporary variations of Windows — and the way to repair them.Want extra Windows recommendation? My free Windows Intelligence e-newsletter delivers all one of the best Windows suggestions and methods straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 worth) only for subscribing!Windows annoyance #1: Noisy widgetsWidgets are some of the annoying issues a few default Windows system. I don’t have to see an animated message saying the S&P 500 is “trending down” on my taskbar whereas I’m making an attempt to be productive — or whereas I’m making an attempt to calm down. And I positively don’t want a feed of often-clickbait tales popping up after I unintentionally hover my cursor over the Widgets icon.On Windows 11, you may conceal Widgets by right-clicking an empty spot on the taskbar, deciding on “Taskbar Settings,” after which turning off “Widgets” underneath Taskbar gadgets. On Windows 10, right-click an empty area in your taskbar, level to “News and interests,” and choose “Turn off.”(While the function is probably not known as Widgets on Windows 10, it’s comparable — and equally annoying.) Chris Hoffman, IDG
The Widgets pane is by far the worst a part of Windows 11 — in my view.
Windows annoyance #2: Bing Search within the Start menuWhen you search within the Start menu, Windows searches Bing somewhat than simply the functions and recordsdata in your PC. And, if you happen to click on a type of hyperlinks, Windows at all times opens Bing in Edge — not your default internet browser.Maybe internet search from the Start menu is beneficial, however I don’t actually need to use Bing — and I don’t need to use Edge.Want to cease it? You’ll want to regulate the “DisableSearchBoxSuggestions” worth within the registry. (This works on each Windows 10 and Windows 11.)Or, do away with all of your Start menu annoyances directly by putting in another Start menu on your Windows PC. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Web search within the Start menu helps Microsoft increase its Bing — and Edge — utilization numbers.
Windows annoyance #3: Unnecessary startup appsPC producers typically preinstall startup apps and different “bloatware” on their PCs, however even when you have a recent Windows system you put in your self, Microsoft bundles in its personal startup functions. For instance, Windows consists of Microsoft Teams and begins it once you check in — even if you happen to don’t use Teams — cluttering your notification space.I like to recommend cleansing up your Startup functions. You can achieve this from the Task Manager — both right-click your taskbar and choose “Task Manager” or press Windows+Shift+Esc in your keyboard. In the Task Manager, click on the “Startup” icon on the left (in Windows 11) or the “Startup” tab on the prime (in Windows 10.) If you don’t see the tab on Windows 10, click on “More details.”Right-click the gadgets you don’t want right here and choose “Disable” to cease them from launching at boot. You don’t need to disable necessary utilities on your PC’s {hardware}, in fact, so that you may need to do a little bit of analysis if you happen to’re undecided what’s what — fortunately, you may right-click an merchandise within the listing right here and choose “Search online” for extra data. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Even Microsoft clutters Windows with startup apps like Microsoft Teams.
Windows annoyance #4: Taskbar muddleThere’s loads on the taskbar that you could be not truly use. For instance, even if you happen to do search your Start menu, you don’t want an enormous search field — you may open the Start menu or press the Windows key and begin typing to go looking. To take away an software launcher out of your taskbar, right-click it and choose “Unpin from taskbar.” (If you may’t unpin an software, that’s as a result of it’s working — it would vanish out of your taskbar once you shut it.)On Windows 11, to take away particular icons out of your taskbar — akin to that search field — right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.” Use the choices underneath Taskbar gadgets.On Windows 10, right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and use the choices within the context menu to regulate which icons seem within the taskbar. For instance, to cover the search field, level to “Search” within the menu right here and choose “Hidden.” Chris Hoffman, IDG
The taskbar is filled with space-wasters you would possibly need to disable, akin to that large search field.
Windows annoyance #5: Start menu junkThe Start menu at all times wants a cleanup on a brand new PC. Microsoft now not bundles a Candy Crush Saga launcher — humorous, as Microsoft now owns it! — however there are lots of app launchers pinned by default on new PCs.Open up your Start menu, right-click pinned shortcuts (on Windows 11) or tiles (on Windows 10) that you just don’t want fast entry to, and “Unpin” them.Then, pin functions you do need to use. Your Start menu will lastly be your individual. Chris Hoffman, IDG
I don’t really feel really at residence on a brand new PC till I’ve cleaned up the Start menu.
Windows annoyance #6: that messy Edge begin web pageThe customary Windows internet browser expertise is fairly tough. Every time you open a brand new browser window — or tab — you’re distracted with a feed of tales from “Microsoft Start.”You can repair this by switching to a different browser — akin to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You may hold utilizing Edge, however clear it up. Open an Edge window and, on the usual New Tab web page filled with internet tales, click on the gear on the top-right nook of the web page. Scroll down on this pane, click on the “Content” field, and choose “Content off.” Chris Hoffman, IDG
The worst components of Windows typically appear to contain Microsoft Start, Bing, and Edge.
Windows annoyance #7: Too many notificationsWindows isn’t alone — each trendy system appears to bombard you with notifications by default. You can rapidly flip off notifications for any app, although, or cease Windows from sending you system notifications that usually look like ads.On Windows 11, open the Settings app and head to Settings > System > Notifications. You flip off notifications from particular person apps right here.Be positive to scroll down and develop the “Additional settings” possibility hidden on the backside of the listing of apps. You’ll see choices that can allow you to disable sure sorts of notifications Microsoft makes use of to advertise Windows options, often known as “suggestions.”In Windows 10, head to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions. Turn off notifications for any app you want. You may also discover choices for configuring numerous sorts of “suggestions” from Microsoft above the listing of apps on the web page right here.Can’t configure an app’s notifications from right here? Some apps use their very own model of notifications somewhat than the usual Windows kind. If you might have an app you may’t configure notifications for on this space, you’ll should open it up and use the appliance’s built-in notification settings. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Microsoft does a great job of hiding the settings for disabling options on Windows 11.
Are there extra annoyances? There are! But these are a few of my prime ones to deal with first. Once you’ve tweaked these, your PC needs to be far more streamlined — and fewer annoying.Get extra Windows recommendation with my free Windows Intelligence e-newsletter — three issues to attempt each Friday. Plus, get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 worth) for signing up.
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