Turn off unnecessary functions in Windows 10

1. Turn off Disk Defragment with the SSD hard drive

The defragmentation feature in Windows 10 is really helpful, but they only work with the HDD, but not the SSD. On Windows 10 2004 (20H1) there is an error with this tool and it can damage your SSD. The shortcut is as follows:

Step 1: Go to Start (1) => Windows Administrative Tools (2) => Defragment and Optimize Drives (3) .

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Step 2: Click on Change settings .

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Next, you uncheck Run on a schedule (recommended) (1) => OK (2) .

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2. Turn off computer search history

Keeping a search history gives you quick access to items you have previously searched, but may expose you to sensitive search data if someone else uses your computer.

Step 1: Click on Start (1) => Settings (2) .

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Step 2: Click on Search .

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Step 3: Select the Permissions & History (1) => click on Clear device search history (2) => turn the switch On to Off (3) .

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3. Turn off the Remote Desktop feature

Remote Desktop control (Remote Desktop) on Windows is a feature that is rarely used and its security is very poor. As an alternative to Remote Desktop, we should use TeamViewer or Chrome Remote Desktop .

Step 1: Go to Start (1) => Settings (2) .

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Step 2: Click on System .

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Step 3: You navigate to Remote Desktop (1) => Turn the Enable Remote Desktop switch (2) to Off .

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Confirmation message appears, click Confirm to complete.

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4. Turn off the Recent files and folders feature

Step 1: Open This PC . Next, go to View (1) => Options (2) => Change folder and search options (3) .

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Step 2: In the General section , click Clear (1) to delete the previous file and folder history and uncheck the two items in the Privacy section (2) . Then, click OK (3) to continue.

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5. Turn off app recommendations in the Start menu

Step 1: Go to the Start menu (1) => Settings (2) .

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Step 2: Click on Personalization .

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Step 3 : Go to Start (1) => turn the switch for Show suggestions occasionally in Start (2) to Off .

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6. Turn off unnecessary services

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box . Next, enter the command services.msc (1) => OK (2) .

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Step 2: You right click on the Service that needs to be turned off (1) => Stop (2) .

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Here is a list of the services that you can disable:

1. Diagnostic Policy Service: Process of diagnosing system errors.
2. Fax: Use the Fax function connected to the desktop.
3. Print Spooler: Windows printing service
4. Security Center: Windows security center, this feature will alert you to dangers that can affect your computer, such as having not enabled updates, and no antivirus software installed.
5. Application Experience: Application experience service.
6. Offline Files: Perform maintenance operations such as the Offline Files cache as well as respond to user log-in and log-out events.
7. Windows Image Acquisition: Service for image scanners.

By turning off unnecessary functions and utilities on your computer, you will experience Windows smoother and faster.

Good luck!

David Pac

Update 31 October 2020