What programs / apps to use to tweak Win 10

Megahertz said:

For the updates control, I use
Sledgehammer 2.7.2

Thank you very much Megahertz. I'll aim to use Sledgehammer and see how I get on with that. That said, the link you provide (in the quote above) currently points to "Windows Update MiniTool" — which I take it is something you don't use for updates, is that correct? In either case if the link is meant to go to Sledgehammer then it needs an edit.

Open-Shell I already have, I've been using it since the days of Win 7 and Classic-Shell. Great program and without which I wouldn't even consider using Win 7 or Win 10.

Winaero Tweaker I have already downloaded but haven't tried it yet. I want to image off my Base Win 10 system before I start experimenting with tweaking all that I fancy and more. In that way if I mess the system I can get back to a base system in minutes, not the days I've spent on it so far.

dalchina said:

I used to use Sledgehammer. Downside is, the Store no longer works- you have to temporarily remove the block to be able to use it.

I don't understand what are referencing that Store no longer works. Is this the Windows Store thingy that has Microsoft approved products only as part of what can be installed to the system?

dalchina said:

As per my unacknowledged post, I again recommend using 'Notify' in Group Policy, unless you simply don't want any updates. Period. E.g. for hardware compatibility reasons.

Dalchina, I have now set Group Policy to 'Notify', I did that after first reading your recommendation. What is really concerning me about Windows Updates is that I've read too many stories of the darn thing really badly affecting some users systems from time to time. On that basis I guess I have some apprehension on allowing automatic updates to rip on my system. Certainly I have already disabled in Group Policy the ability of Windows Updates to auto-update drivers for the system.

Megahertz, you really opened a can of good stuff here....
glad I was able to continue on after I got 10 to look like XP and your programs, along with et. al. will be in
my library for help.
Thanks a bunch.

I use Chris Titus Tech - One Tool for Everything. It installs/updates apps, system tweaks, and can change Windows Updates.

Open Shell is very interesting, nothing I like more than the ancient menu (I think even Win95/98 style) in Windows 10

Then, let's see,
Locate to find files
Agent Ransack to search INSIDE files
Clipx to have a copy-paste enhancement tool (even though Windows 10 has something similar)
Total Commander if I'm serious about copying files
f.lux to adapt my brightness automatically at night (also this is something Windows 10 has)
and
my own script system for installing/managing whatever software