What programs / apps to use to tweak Win 10

Megahertz · 30 Jun 2019

I have used these programs to tweak Win 10
I would like to know what others are using.

- Classic Shell Site: Open-Shell
- Winaero Tweaker Winaero Tweaker

- Manage Win 10 Updates
Control Windows Updates with Sledgehammer
Download Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script)
WAU Manager

Disable Cortana How to Enable or Disable Cortana
Remove Cortana How to uninstall and remove Cortana in Windows 10
Privacy and telemetry O&O ShutUp10: Free antispy tool

For WIN10 HOME user, with no GROUP POLICY EDITOR, there is POLICYPLUS GROUP POLICY EDITOR, its a portable app with no install required.

Megahertz · 30 Jun 2019

I use a solid theme, to be more close to Win 7 Classic theme.
I don't like any aero as they are only cosmetic.
Classic Shell is a "must have" and Winaero Tweaker is a way to configure Win 10
I didn't uninstall Cortana, only disabled it.

thomaseg1 · 01 Jul 2019

You folks forgot the best one of all! (your browser) + https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/

BuddhaNature · 21 Nov 2022

Megahertz said:

I have used these programs to tweak Win 10...

- Manage Win 10 Updates
Control Windows Updates with Sledgehammer
Download Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script)
WAU Manager

I'd like to ask some questions about this managing Win 10 updates.
Are you saying that you use all 3 of these methods for controlling your Win 10 updates, or do you only use one of them?
If not using all 3 of these programs which is the easiest to use?
Can you state your current preference for favouring one of these programs as being 'better' than the others and provide reasons as to why?

Hoping you will reply. I am entirely new to Win 10 and trying to find my way around, or workarounds, for an utter maze of settings that, to be honest, I do not fully understand.

- - - Updated - - -

Megahertz said:

I use a solid theme, to be more close to Win 7 Classic theme.

I am entirely new to Win 10 and do wish it looked more like Win 7 Classic type of theme. Can you please say how I can make this so? (I am assuming there are tools I can use to achieve this.)

Paul Black · 21 Nov 2022

Hello @BuddhaNature,

BuddhaNature said:

I'd like to ask some questions about this managing Win 10 updates.

Can you state your current preference for favouring one of these programs as being 'better' than the others and provide reasons as to why?

I tried many of the methods on this Forum and the Internet, and finally ended up using the one below, mainly because it suits my needs.

> Using CMD Script and VBScript to Control Windows Update

I am sure that there are other members who will also be able to give you good and workable recommendations/solutions.

I hope this helps.

Ghot · 21 Nov 2022

I use a baseball bat.

BuddhaNature · 21 Nov 2022

Paul Black said:

> Using CMD Script and VBScript to Control Windows Update

Your link isn't working for me. It seems I don't have permissions to access the page. I'm fairly new to this forum, maybe that is the reason.

dalchina · 21 Nov 2022

@BuddhaNature

- as you have Pro, why not use the built in Group Policy editor and set updates to 'Notify'?

That way, you get a notification of an available update, and can chose when to act on it.

Then there's 'Target feature update' (tutorial available).

This lets you specify the major build you don't wish to upgrade beyond.

You're correct about access to that page

Paul Black · 21 Nov 2022

Hello @BuddhaNature,

BuddhaNature said:

Your link isn't working for me. It seems I don't have permissions to access the page. I'm fairly new to this forum, maybe that is the reason.

Apologies, yes, it is in the VIP Forum.

Megahertz · 21 Nov 2022

For the updates control, I use Sledgehammer 2.7.2

To tweak Win 10 to look more like Win 7 use
- Classic Shell Site: Open-Shell - A MUST HAVE
- Winaero Tweaker Winaero Tweaker