TweakHound’s

Tweaking Windows 8.1

A guide to tweak and optimize Windows 8.1.

Updated for Windows 8.1 Update 1. Lasted edited 07 April, 2014

tweak – to change slightly, esp. in order to make something more effective or correct.

optimize – get the most out of, make optimal – modify to achieve maximum efficiency in storage capacity or time or cost

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Article Index

Introduction

Bad Tweaks

Notes & Ramblings

Useful Links

Tips For This Guide

What to call the new interface?

The Windows + Pause|Break keys

The Windows + R keys

The Run box is < The Search Box

Closing Metro Apps

Windows Help & Tips

Settings For User Accounts

Account Types

Local An Microsoft Accounts Defined

– Local Account

– Microsoft Account

Which should you use, a Local or Microsoft Account?

Accessing Account Settings

Signing On With A Local Account During A Clean Installation

Signing Up For A Microsoft Account After Installation

Using The Windows Store When You Use A Local Account For Sign-In

Switch To A Local Account

Create A User Password

How To Change The User Account Picture

How To Login Automatically

Libraries

Move Your Libraries

View Libraries In Explorer

Customize The Desktop

Boot To Desktop Or Start Screen

Start Button

Add a Start Menu Button

Disable System Sounds

Customize the Taskbar

Customize the Notification Area

More Desktop Customizations

The Action Center

Advanced Clock Settings

God Mode

Customizing Metro

Charms

Arranging Tiles

Resizing Tiles

Getting Rid Of Tiles

Restoring Or Adding Tiles To The Start Screen

Naming Groups

Show Administrative Tools

Customize Folder Options

Folder View Options

Optimize Folders

Search Options – Disable Bing Integrated Search

Services

Windows 8 Networking

Sharing

Disable The Home Group

Windows 8 Network Tweaks

Windows 8 Power Settings

Power Plans For Laptops

Windows 8 Fast Startup

Disable Fast Startup

Windows Mobility Center

Add a Windows Mobility Center shortcut to your desktop

Windows 8 Security Tweaks

UAC

Windows Defender

Configuring Windows Update

The Page File, SuperFetch, and ReadyBoost

The Page File

SuperFetch

ReadyBoost

Windows Backup And Recovery Options

Refresh and Reset

System Restore

Accessing Windows Recovery Settings Offilne

Windows 7 Backup

File History

Windows 8.1 And SSDs

Regedit only tweaks

User Interface Tweakers

Classic Shell

Classic Start Menu

Maintaining Your Computer

Receiving Updates When Available

Secunia PSI

Ninite Updater

Checking for problems

Reliability Monitor

View performance details in Event Log

Generate A System Health Report

Task Manager

Clean, Defrag, & Optimize

Disk Cleanup

Advanced Disk Cleanup

More Advanced Disk Cleanup

CCleaner

Autoruns

Defrag

Conclusion

Appendix 1, Learn Windows 8 – Official Microsoft Guides

New For Windows 8.1

For Home Users

For advanced users or IT types

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