Windows 11, while a robust operating system for both work and leisure, does have its quirks that can detract from the overall user experience. Although many settings are designed to enhance performance, others may inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities or hinder efficiency. For those seeking a seamless experience, it’s essential to fine-tune certain features. Here are five settings I routinely disable to bolster both performance and security.
1. Telemetry
No tracking please
Microsoft’s data collection practices can be quite extensive, gathering everything from keystrokes to browsing history. This information is often used to create targeted advertising profiles, which raises privacy concerns. To mitigate this, I disable the Send optional diagnostic data setting. This can be done easily by navigating to Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Diagnostics and feedback and toggling off the relevant options. Additionally, I set the Feedback frequency to Never to further limit data sharing.
2. Windows Search
Less indexing, more speed
The Windows Search service is designed to index files for quicker access. However, if you rarely utilize this feature, it can consume valuable system resources. To disable it, I simply search for Services using the Windows key, locate Windows Search, and change its Startup type to Disabled. This adjustment allows me to maintain regular search capabilities without the overhead of indexing.
3. Location Services
Prevent location tracking
Location Services can be useful for certain applications, but they also pose privacy risks by tracking device locations. I prefer to disable this feature to enhance my privacy and improve battery performance. This can be accomplished through Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Location, where I toggle off both Location Services and Let apps access your location.
4. Network Discovery
Minimize security risks
While Network Discovery facilitates communication between devices on a local network, it can expose your laptop to security threats, especially on public Wi-Fi. I keep this feature off on both Public and Private networks by navigating to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Advanced Network Settings -> Advanced sharing settings and disabling the relevant toggles. This precaution helps safeguard my device from potential vulnerabilities.
5. Connect automatically to a Wi-Fi network
You can’t trust every network
Automatic connections to known Wi-Fi networks can be convenient, but they also carry risks, particularly with public networks. To prevent my laptop from connecting to potentially unsafe networks, I review my known networks under Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi -> Manage known networks and ensure that the Connect Automatically when in range option is unchecked for public networks.
By disabling these features, I not only enhance the performance of my Windows 11 experience but also create a more secure environment. Each adjustment is straightforward, and should the need arise, I can always reactivate them later.