Adjusting the settings on your operating system can often feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially for those who don’t find joy in exploring computer menus. However, familiarizing yourself with these options is not just beneficial; it is essential for safeguarding your digital environment. Understanding how to operate and control your machine empowers you to respond effectively should any issues arise. Think of it as knowing the location of your home’s electrical breakers or the water shut-off valve—these are vital pieces of knowledge for managing emergencies.
Network Security Settings
When connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, your computer may be vulnerable to various threats and unauthorized access. To enhance your security, disable the network discovery feature. This can be done by right-clicking on the Start button, navigating to Settings, then Network & Internet, followed by Advanced Network Settings, and finally Advanced Sharing Settings. Here, you can toggle the button next to “Network Discovery” to turn off both the Public and Private Network sections, preventing other devices on the network from detecting or attempting to connect to yours.
Similarly, the File and Printer Sharing setting poses a security risk when left enabled. It is advisable to turn this feature off while you are in the same menu to further protect your system.
Clipboard History Management
Your computer’s Clipboard History saves everything you copy and paste, including text and images, allowing easy access to previously copied items. While this feature is convenient, it can also pose a risk if sensitive or personal information is stored. To manage this, learn how to clear your Clipboard History or disable the feature altogether. Right-click the Start button, go to Settings, then System, and select Clipboard. Here, you can toggle off Clipboard history, ensuring that copied items are no longer saved.
Managing Background Apps
Background apps can consume system resources and may also track your activities without your consent. Fortunately, you have the power to control which applications run in the background. To do this, right-click Start, navigate to Settings, then Apps, and select Installed Apps. Choose the app you wish to restrict, click on the three horizontal dots to access the Advanced Options menu, and select ‘Never‘ under ‘Background Apps Permissions‘. This action will prevent the app from running in the background, and you can always reverse this decision if needed.
Remote Assistance and Desktop Settings
Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop features allow access to your PC from another location, which can be useful but also presents security vulnerabilities. To disable Remote Assistance, right-click Start, go to Settings, then System, and click on About. From there, select ‘Advanced System Settings‘, navigate to the ‘Remote‘ tab, and uncheck the option to allow Remote Assistance connections. For Remote Desktop, right-click Start, select Settings, then System, and toggle off the Remote Desktop option, confirming your choice.
Controlling Network Connections
Windows remembers the public networks you connect to, automatically reconnecting when you return to those locations. While this is convenient for trusted networks, it can be risky for public ones. To prevent Windows from automatically connecting to previously used networks, right-click Start, navigate to Settings, then Network and Internet, followed by Wi-Fi, and finally Manage Known Networks. Here, you can review the list of networks and uncheck the Connect Automatically When in Range box for any networks you wish to avoid.
