My Windows PC used to feel like it was working against me—launching random apps at startup, switching network connections, locking the screen after brief inactivity, and more. So, I made the following changes to help me be more productive.
1 I Stopped Apps From Launching at Startup
My PC used to take forever to boot up because Windows automatically launched so many unnecessary apps every time I turned it on. While a few were essential, most were apps I rarely used. They used to slow down the startup process and bombard me with frustrating pop-ups that I had to close at every startup.
To fix this, I removed all non-essential apps from the startup list, keeping only a few important ones. Now, only the apps I need launch when I start my computer, and I no longer have to deal with those annoying pop-ups. The boot time has noticeably improved, and I no longer have to wait minutes for my PC to be ready to use.
2 I Selected My Preferred Default Apps
My PC used to frustrate me by consistently opening files and tasks in random apps instead of the ones I preferred. It used to open images with Paint and PDFs with Microsoft Edge, deciding on its own which apps to use for web links, music, videos, and more. This was partly my fault, as I relied on the default settings.
I selected my preferred default apps for each file type to fix this. I set my favorite browser for web links, my go-to media player for audio and video, and my preferred PDF viewer for documents. Now, files open in the right apps, and my workflow is smoother. My PC finally operates according to my preferences rather than Windows making choices for me.
3 I Changed the Lock Screen Timeout
A few minutes of inactivity used to be enough for my laptop to lock itself, which was one of the most frustrating issues I encountered. While working on an important file without moving the mouse, the screen used to lock, forcing me to log back in repeatedly throughout the day. Even briefly stepping away wasn’t an option.
To fix this, I adjusted the lock screen timeout settings, giving me more time before the PC locked. Now, I can step away for short breaks without constantly logging back in, which has noticeably improved my productivity. However, avoid setting the timeout too long, as leaving your laptop unattended without locking it could allow unauthorized access in a shared setting.
4 I Turned Off Automatic App Suggestions and Recommendations in the Start Menu
Have you ever opened the Start menu and noticed apps you never installed pinned there, only for them to start downloading when clicked? Likewise, have you seen recently created/downloaded files or installed apps in the Recommended section? These features used to clutter my Start menu, making it harder to find the apps I needed.
To stop content from appearing in the recommendations section, I went to Settings > Personalization > Start and turned off all toggles.
Then, I unpinned the recommended apps. Right-click on the app and select Unpin from Start. You can do the same to keep the Start menu free from unnecessary apps.
5 I Stopped Windows From Automatically Switching Networks
By default, Windows continuously searches for other network connections, even when connected to a specific one. If a higher-priority network becomes available, it automatically switches, disconnecting from the current network. This used to cause frequent disruptions for me during gaming sessions and interfered with calls and file transfers.
To fix this, I selected my preferred Wi-Fi connection and disabled the option that allows Windows to search for other networks in the connection’s properties. Now, Windows stays connected to my chosen network unless I decide otherwise. I enjoy stable connectivity without worrying about unexpected disconnections or interruptions.
6 I Made UAC Prompts Less Annoying
User Account Control (UAC) is designed to protect the operating system from unauthorized changes and malicious software. However, I found it frustrating because it used to prompt me for permission whenever I wanted to install or modify software. While the feature is important for our security, the interruptions were too frequent.
To make this feature less annoying, I adjusted the UAC settings from Always notify to Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer. This way, it no longer pops up when I modify Windows settings, cutting down the number of interruptions. I didn’t disable UAC entirely, as doing so could leave my PC vulnerable to malware infection and low-integrity apps.
My right-click context menu was a chaotic mix of options I hadn’t used in ages. These extra entries made the menu longer, burying the useful options and making it difficult to find them without scrolling. It was frustrating because I never intended to have those options there in the first place.
To fix this annoyance, I simplified the context menu by removing unused entries and turning off unnecessary options. Now, it’s much more concise and easier to navigate.
I used the Context Menu Manager app, which allows me to customize the right-click context menu options separately for my desktop, files, folders, and more. You can also use any other tool with similar functionality.
8 I Got Rid of Suggested Search Results
You’ve probably noticed that Windows displays Bing search results in the Start menu, even when searching for a local file or app. I found this frustrating, as these online suggestions cluttered the results and slowed the search. Worse, it used to give the impression that I had a local file or app, but clicking on it opened a web page instead.
To eliminate this annoyance, I disabled web search suggestions in the Start menu. Now, when I search for something, Windows only shows me local files and apps. This has made it easier to find what I need. Also, it keeps the Start menu cleaner and has significantly sped up Windows Search.
With the wide range of customization options Windows offers and the tweaks possible through the Registry Editor, you can eliminate nearly any feature that bothers you. That’s how I managed to make my PC less irritating. If you also find some of the default settings in Windows annoying, make the appropriate changes as I did above and watch your productivity skyrocket.
