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Windows 10 Creators Update Optimization, Privacy, and Quality of Life tweaks.

This is a guide I have made for myself to follow after an install of windows
that has helped me reduce resource usage and get noticeably better performance
in games and applications.

1. Fresh Install of Windows (doenst have to be a fresh install but this
is how I have had the best results.  Dont do an express install, use custom and
uncheck all privacy options.  Use a local account not a microsoft one.

2. https://ninite.com/ <- install apps you want

3. Windows Settings -> Update and Security
Check for updates
Advanced Options:  	Uncheck give me updates about products
					Uncheck use my sign in info to finish setting up device
		Choose how updates are delivered: turn off pc may send parts of
		updates

4. Windows Settings -> System
Dispay: Night light - on (no more need for flux)
Notifications & Actions: 	Turn off all except "Get notificaions from apps and
							other senders"
						Get notifications from these senders: all off except
						settings
Power & Sleep: 	Additional Power settings - High Performance
Storage: Storage sense - off
Multitasking: all on
Tablet mode:	When I sign in "use desktop mode"
				When this device automatically swithces tablet mode on or off:
				"dont ask me to switch"
Shared experiences: off

5. Windows Settings -> Personalization
Colors: Transparency - off
		Show accent color on the following surfaces - Start, taskbar, and action
		center
Lock screen: Get fun facts, tips, more - off
			Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen - on
			Cortana lock screen settings: all off
Themes: Desktop icon settings: uncheck all desktop icon settings,
		uncheck allow themes to change desktop icon settings
Start: all off except "show app list in start menu"
Taskbar: all of except - "lock the taskbar", "use small taskbar buttons"
		Taskbar location on screen: bottom
		Combine taskbar buttons: never
		Select which icons appear on the taskbar: allways show all icons in
		the notification area - on
		Turn System icons on or off: Clock - on, Volume - on, Network - on,
		all else off

5. Windows Settings -> Accounts
Sign-in options: Show account details on sign-in screen - off
Sync your settings: all off

6. Windows Settings -> Time & Language
Date & Time: 	Set time automatically - off
				Set time zone automatically - off
				Adjust for daylight saving time automatically - on

7. Windows Settings -> Gaming
Game bar: record game clips... - off
Game Dvr: record in the background... - off
Game Mode: use game mode - on (does this work with bar off?)

8. Windows Settings -> Ease of access
Narrator: all off
Magnifier: all off
High Contrast: none
Keyboard: all off except "display a warning message" and "make a sound"
Other options: 	Play animations in windows - off
				Show windows background - on
				Show notificaions for 5 secs
				Mono audio - off

9. Windows Settings -> Privacy
General through Other devices: all off (only applies to microsoft apps)
Feedback & diagnostics: Select how much data... - Basic
						Let Microsoft provide a more.. - off
						Windows should ask for my feedback - never
Background apps: all off excpet windows defender
App diagnostics: let apps access... - off

10. Windows Settings -> Apps
Apps & Features: unistall all apps that you do not use/were installed by
microsoft without your permission. (There is a lot)
Default Apps: Set to apps that you want to use instead of microsofts
Manage Optional Features: remove "Contact Support" and "Microsoft quick assist"
Offline Maps: all off
Apps for websites: all off

NOTE: Apps I recommend:
Email: Chrome (extensions: ad block plus, privacy badger)
Music player: VLC
Photo viewer: IrfanView
Video player: VLC
Web browser: Chrome

Other:
Steam
Discord
Spotify
Gimp
CPUID HWMonitor
CCleaner


Nice those are the setting to configure in the windows settings app.

11. Control Panel Settings
Ease of Access Center -> Make the mouse easier to use -> Set up Mouse Keys:
Drag the acceleration slider all the way to the left so it is off
Hardware and Sound:
	Mouse: Pointer Options -> uncheck enhance pointer precision and hide pointer
	while typing
System and Security:
	System:
		Advanced System Settings:
			Computer Name: give your computer a name you prefer
			Advanced:
				Performance Options:
					Visual Effects: I prefer to uncheck all except "enable peek"
					"Show thumbnail instead of icons", "show translucent
					selections rectangle", "show window contents while draggins"
					and "smooth edges of screen fonts"
					Advanced: Adjust for best performance of "programs"
					Data Execution Protection: "Turn on for ESSENTIAL"
				Startup and Recovery: Uncheck time to display list of operating
					systems and time to display recovery options when needed
			Remote: uncheck allow remote assistance connections to this computer

13. Quick Quality of Life Edits
	Right click on taskbar -> search: check "hidden"
	Open File Explorer window:
		View:
			Panes: Details Panel
			Layout: Details
			Show/Hide: check "File name extensions"

Alright thats good so far, now we want to make some registry tweaks for general
system responsiveness.

14. Open up the Registry Editor by pressing "windows + r" to open up "run",
the type "regedit" and hit enter.

Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile"
You may already have a DWORD called "SystemResponsiveness", in which case just
right click and modify its value data to "0".  If you do not have this DWORD,
right click under default and "create new DWORD (32)" and name it
"SystemResponsiveness" then set its value to "0".
We want to create/edit one more DWORD here to disable network throttling..
"NetworkThrottlingIndex" Value: "ffffffff"


Next navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile\Tasks\Games"
and create/edit the following registry values like above:
"GPU Priority" Value: 8
"Priority" Value: 6
"Scheduling Catergory" Value: "High"

Now we are going to want to disable Nagle's Algorithm in a similar manner.

Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\"
There will be three keys under interfaces.  We want to edit the key with the
DWORD "DhcpIPAdress" that has a data value corresponding to our IP address.

NOTE: if you need to check your IPAddress hit the search button and type "cmd"
to open up a command prompt. Type "ipconfig" and hit enter. Then look for
"IPv4 address", that is the value you want.

Now that you have found the key with your ipaddress in it create/edit the
following DWORD values like before:
"TcpAckFrequency" Value: 1
"TCPNoDelay" Value: 1
"TcpDelAckTicks" Value: 0

The next two edits are very nice quality of life changes to make your cursor
more responsive:

Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" and edit the following:
"MenuShowDelay" Value: "10"

Now go "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse", which is just a couple keys
below desktop, and edit the following:
"MouseHoverTime" Value: "10"

The last edit I want you to make will stop microsoft from installing apps
on your system without even telling you. So once we delete all the bloatware it
will actually stay gone for good.
Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager"
Now change the following:
"SilentInstalledAppsEnabled" Value: "0"

Cool that is the majority of our registry tweaks.

15. Now We are going to disable unnecessary services that could be running in the
background...

Open windows search and open "Services".

Here is a list of services that I want you to disable:
1. Xbox Services
2. dmwappushsvc
3. superfetch
4. Diagnostic Link Tracking Client

If you feel it is necessary you can find longer lists of services online to
disable, but the above are the most important.  We will also be deleting some
services in several steps.

NOTE: To disable a service, right click on it -> properties -> general:
Stop. Then set Startup type to "Disabled", then Apply and OK.

16. Alright now we are going to remove all the bloatware that comes installed with
Windows 10.  To make this process much quick we are going to use a tweak created
by Legolash2o at http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/152688-win6x_registry_tweak/.

Download the .zip from here: http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=12574180964404859269

This is going to help us delete some things that we could not otherwise.
To use this unzip that file somewhere, and copy install_wim_tweak.exe to
"C:\Windows\System32" (sounds a little sketchy, but it is harmless unless you
delete something you aren't supposed to.  You can delete it when we are done
if you want.)

Alright open up a powershell as adminstrator.

Run the following commands to start deleting bloatware:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *store* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *zune* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *sticky* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *maps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *alarms* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *comm* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *mess* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *photo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *bing* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *camera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *soundrec* | Remove-AppxPackage

You should be able to copy and paste the above into powershell then hit enter.
If you get some errors it is fine, an app was most likely not installed.

Now open a command prompt as adminstrator and copy and paste the follwing
commands that are grouped together at the same time.  Then do the next one.

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-Windows-ContentDeliveryManager /r
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore" /v RemoveWindowsStore /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore" /v DisableStoreApps /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-Xbox-GameCallableUI /r
sc delete XblAuthManager
sc delete XblGameSave
sc delete XboxNetApiSvc
sc delete XboxGipSvc
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTask" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTaskLogon" /disable

sc delete MapsBroker
sc delete lfsvc

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-Windows-Holographic /r

Now you will want to reboot.

17. More Bloat
Open up a powershell as adminstrator again (for the last time)
and enter the following:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *holo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *3db* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *3dv* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *paint* | Remove-AppxPackage

Ok now open up a command prompt as adminstrator (almost last time) and enter
the following:

pushd "C:\Program Files"
takeown /f WindowsApps /r /d y
icacls WindowsApps /reset /T
icacls WindowsApps /grant Everyone:(F) /t /c /q
cd WindowsApps
for /f %f in ('dir /b Microsoft.MSPaint*') do takeown /f %f /r /d y && rmdir /s /q %f

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-Windows-Internet-Browser /r
install_wim_tweak /o /c Adobe-Flash /r

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-Windows-ContactSupport /r

install_wim_tweak /o /c Microsoft-PPIProjection-Package /r

Now go for another reboot.

18. A little more
Ok, now we want to disable cortana and go back to regular windows search:
Open a command prompt as adminstrator and run the following:
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowCortana /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules" /v "{2765E0F4-2918-4A46-B9C9-43CDD8FCBA2B}" /t REG_SZ /d "BlockCortana|Action=Block|Active=TRUE|Dir=Out|App=C:\windows\systemapps\microsoft.windows.cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\searchui.exe|Name=Search and Cortana application|AppPkgId=S-1-15-2-1861897761-1695161497-2927542615-642690995-327840285-2659745135-2630312742|" /f

Reboot and you should be back to regular windows search.

19. Almost done
Open up a command prompt as adminstrator:
Turn off forced updates, liscense checking, error reporting, tips
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting" /v Disabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v ScheduledInstallDay /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v ScheduledInstallTime /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Software Protection Platform" /v NoGenTicket /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync" /v DisableSettingSync /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync" /v DisableSettingSyncUserOverride /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v DisableSoftLanding /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v DoNotShowFeedbackNotifications /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Reboot.

20. Get rid of one drive.
Open up a command prompt as adminstrator and do following:
taskkill /F /IM onedrive.exe

for 32bit windows: "%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe" /uninstall

for 64bit windows (most likely what you have): "%SYSTEMROOT%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe" /uninstall

Reboot.

Open up command prompt as admin, run following:

rd "%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive" /Q /S
rd "C:\OneDriveTemp" /Q /S
rd "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\OneDrive" /Q /S
rd "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft OneDrive" /Q /S
reg delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" /f
reg delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" /f

Ok now reboot your sytem and we have gotten rid of a lot of microsofts crap.

21. Stop windows spying.

Open up Services once again.  And you want to find a service named either called
"Contact Data_xxxxx" or "CDPUserSvc_xxxxx".  The xxxxx are randomly generated.

Make note of that number, or just keep the services window open.

Open a command prompt as adminstrator and enter the following:
sc delete DiagTrack
sc delete dmwappushservice
sc delete WerSvc
sc delete CDPUserSvc
sc delete OneSyncSvc
sc delete MessagingService
sc delete diagnosticshub.standardcollector.service
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules\" /v "NumberOfSIUFInPeriod" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules" /v "PeriodInNanoSeconds" /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\WMI\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

These last three you will need to type by hand and put your number in:
sc delete CDPUserSvc_xxxxx
sc delete OneSyncSvc_xxxxx
sc delete MessagingService_xxxxx

22. Now we are going to go into the registry editor again to remove a couple
services.

Windows + r to open up "run" then enter "regedit"

Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services"

Delete these keys:
PimIndexMaintenanceSvc
PimIndexMaintenanceSvc_xxxxx
UserDataSvc
UserDataSvc_xxxxx
UnistoreSvc
UnistoreSvc_xxxxx
xbgm
DPS

NOTE: Deleting DPS requires a couple additional steps.
Right click DPS key -> permissions -> Advanced: change owner to your username,
check "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" and "replace all child
permissions..."
Remove all permissions entries.
Add a permission entry with your username (under "principal") and full control.
Now you should be able to delete DPS.

Reboot.

23. Stop Scheduled Tasks
Open up a command prompt as admin and run:
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\AppID\SmartScreenSpecific" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\AitAgent" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\StartupAppTask" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Autochk\Proxy" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\CloudExperienceHost\CreateObjectTask" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\BthSQM" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Consolidator" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\KernelCeipTask" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Uploader" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\UsbCeip" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskDiagnostic\Microsoft-Windows-DiskDiagnosticDataCollector" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\DiskFootprint\Diagnostics" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\File History (maintenance mode)" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Maintenance\WinSAT" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\PI\Sqm-Tasks" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Power Efficiency Diagnostics\AnalyzeSystem" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Shell\FamilySafetyMonitor" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Shell\FamilySafetyRefresh" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Shell\FamilySafetyUpload" /disable
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\QueueReporting" /disable

You are basically finished.

24. Use CCleaner to get rid of unnecessary files and registry entries.
Open CCleaner: https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
Analyze and run the cleaner.
Go to registry, scan and fix selected issues.
Tools: check if there are any apps left you want to uninstall.
Startup: check if anything unnecessary is starting, if so disable.
CCleaner Settings:
uncheck "run when the computer starts"
Go to "monitoring", uncheck enable system monitoring.

25. Check that the following temp folders are empty, if not delete everything
in them:
Windows + r -> enter "%temp%", delete everything.
Windows + r -> enter "temp", delete everything.
Windows + r -> enter "prefetch", delete everything.

26. Graphics Drivers.
I only have experience with nvidia graphics drivers. I prefer to perform a
clean install of the latest nividia drivers for my card without geforce
experience and other unnecessary audio drivers and such.
Download the latest Nividia drivers for your card from: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
Use DDU to uninstall all current graphic drivers: https://www.wagnardsoft.com/
Install the drivers you downloaded after removing old ones:
Perform custom install, and clean installation: and check only drivers you want.
I only use the graphics driver.

27. Nvidia Control Panel Settings:
Power Management Mode: Prefer Max Performance
Texture Filtering - Quality: High Performance
Max Pre rendered frames: 1
Virtual Reality pre rendered frames: 1


Credits to where I learned about many privacy tweaks: https://fdossena.com/?p=w10debotnet/index_1703.frag