new-computer-steps.md

10 configuration changes to make on a new windows computer

• Explorer - folder view - show file extensions.
• Explorer - folder view - show hidden files.
• Dark Mode

Taskbar: remove unwanted Microsoft stuff

• Remove microsoft promotional items from taskbar
  • Task view
  • Search
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Microsoft Store
  • "Widgets"
  • Chat
  • Show Contacts

(Some people worked very hard to make these. I mean them no disrespect. What did not happen: customers asked very often for these. Or not this customer at any rate.)

Taskbar: Combine taskbar buttons - Never

• (This setting is broken/missing in windows 11 for now.)

Power options

• Either/or:
• Enable hibernates on lid close
• if plugged in, Don't sleep on lid closed

Multiple monitors setup

• Mouse - Pointer Options - Show location of pointer when I press the Ctrl Key
• Mouse - Pointer Options - Display pointer trails (and utility to turn this back on if someone has turned it off)
• Display options - Arrange your monitors

Performance

• Turn off indexing. Good or bad i'm not sure.

Source

• @Zacbowden Tweet and responses

What's one insignificant setting change you make on every Windows PC you use?

For me, I always turn on pointer shadows.

Tweet: @Zacbowden

(And see responses too)

• Indexing Broken in Windows 11 (Painfully Slow At Best)

See also

• Install chocolatey (aka choco)