When setting up a new laptop with Windows 11, there are several settings that can be adjusted to enhance performance and privacy. By disabling certain features, users can streamline their experience, reduce distractions, and allocate more system resources to essential tasks. Here’s a detailed look at five key settings to consider changing right away.
Diagnostic Data
Windows 11 automatically collects diagnostic data, which includes both required and optional information about your device. While the required data is essential for system functionality, the optional data can be excessive and intrusive. To optimize your privacy, navigate to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and then choose Diagnostics & feedback. Here, you can toggle off the option to send optional diagnostic data. Additionally, you can prevent personalized tips and ads by disabling the Tailored experiences feature. If you wish to delete previously collected data, simply click on the Delete diagnostic data option. For those who find feedback requests bothersome, adjust the Feedback frequency setting to Never.
Targeted Ads
While disabling tailored experiences limits personalized advertising, Windows 11 still displays targeted ads based on your Advertising ID. To further minimize these ads, go to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and then click on General. Here, toggle off the option that allows apps to show personalized ads using your Advertising ID. You can also disable tracking for app launches and hide suggested content in the Settings app for a more streamlined experience.
Annoying Notifications
Windows 11 is known for its barrage of notifications, which can be both helpful and distracting. To manage these, head to Settings, select System, and click on Notifications. Uncheck options such as Get tips and suggestions when using Windows and Show the Windows welcome experience after updates to reduce unnecessary interruptions. Additionally, customize notifications from specific apps by toggling them off or adjusting their settings individually.
Widgets
Widgets in Windows 11 provide quick access to information but can consume valuable system resources. To disable them, go to Settings, select Personalization, and click on Taskbar items. Toggle off the Widgets option to remove the panel from your Taskbar. If you prefer to keep some widgets, you can customize the panel by hiding specific widgets or the feed to enhance performance.
Search Highlights
The search highlights feature offers a variety of information directly in the search panel, but it can also slow down performance. To turn off this feature, navigate to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and then click on Search permissions. In the More settings section, disable the Show search highlights toggle. This adjustment will simplify your search experience, allowing for quicker access to search suggestions and top apps without the clutter.
