I was wondering if anyone knew any handy guides on how to shut the Microsoft spyware off and maybe better control the updates your computer gets and the like. Or, for that matter, on how to run older games on it.
This tutorial contains detailed instructions to turn off Windows 10 updates permanently (How to Disable Windows 10 Update)
www.wintips.org
Best one I found that doesn't cause problems is removing run permissions from the relevant files, file is still there and 'intact' but can't actually run. (And if if you ever need it for some reason, you can simply re-add the permissions).
With the freeware O&O ShutUp10++, unwanted Windows 10 and 11 features can be disabled and the transfer of sensitive personal data onto Microsoft prevented.
www.oo-software.com
Allows you to turn off stuff, recommend shutting off everything you're not actively using.
I could use anymore Windows 10 advice anyone can give beyond what's already been given. Basically I'm looking to disable the telemetry stuff and really just to turn as much off as possible to keep it from being a resource hog, while fulfilling its primary purpose as a gaming PC.
I was also wondering if there was a way for me to be able to pick and choose what updates I get, as I'd still like to get security and malicious item removal tools and the like. I just want to avoid things that are going to negatively impact the computer. For example, a laptop I use also has Windows 10, and it added some updates that made it super slow in spite of having 16 GB of memory, to the point that it was basically unusable, at least until I uninstalled those updates. I'm hoping to avoid stuff like that, but hopefully without missing out on security stuff that will leave me vulnerable online.
Are there any handy guides about this kind of stuff anywhere?
The only other thing I know about involves using something that adjusts the Firewall.
Firewall seems like a good way to stop the spyware reporting and the updates; if it can't send/receive to Microsoft then it can't do those things. Of course if you want some updates then this would only work until you allow traffic again, at which point the spy reports get sent off. Permissions seem to be the better route.
Should I maybe just upgrade my Windows 10 to 11? I honestly haven't done much with my new build yet anyway. If so, would an upgrade disk or a fresh install be better?