Differences

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--- windows_tips_tricks_and_notes [2024/12/26 08:45] – [Resurrecting a USB Stick] mike
+++ windows_tips_tricks_and_notes [2026/04/08 08:25] (current) – mike
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Windows Tips, Tricks and Notes ======
-----
 ===== Windows 10 annoyances and how to overcome them =====
-=== "Let's finish setting up your device."  Let's not and say we did: ===
+==== Important: Disable "Delivery Optimization" ====
+Delivery Optimization is a lovely feature that results in making Windows updates faster by letting PCs share update files with each other instead of everyone downloading from Microsoft's servers. Your PC downloads parts of updates from other computers that already have them, and in return, your PC uploads those same files to others who need them.  These "other computers" can live inside your home (not an issue) or somewhere else on the Internet (very much an issue).  Disable this setting!
+  Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced Options > Delivery Optimization
+Disable the settings found therein.
+==== "Let's finish setting up your device."  Let's not and say we did: ====
 Disable this annoying splash screen thusly:
   * Start -> Settings -> System -> Notifications & actions
   * Uncheck the “Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates…”, “Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device…” and “Get tips, tricks and suggestions…” items under Notifications.
-=== End the automatic upgrade/automatic reboot madness ===
+==== End the automatic upgrade/automatic reboot madness ====
 Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
 Navigate to the following path:
@@ Line 18: / Line 24: @@
 **No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations** -> Enabled\\
-=== Require username to be specified at logon (disable user listing)
+==== Require username to be specified at logon (disable user listing) ====
 Open the Local Policy app (secpol)\\
 Navigate to **Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Interactive Logon: Don’t display last signed-in** and set to Enabled.
-=== Enable ICMP ===
+==== Enable ICMP ====
 Open a command window in Administrator mode and enter the following command:
   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="ICMP Allow incoming V4 echo request" protocol=icmpv4:8,any dir=in action=allow
+==== Disable "helpful" reminders to login to a Microsoft Account (insert puke emoji here) ====
+Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
+Navigate to **User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Account Notifications**\\
+Set **Turn off account notifications in Start** to **Enabled**
 ----
@@ Line 36: / Line 47: @@
 More details on this are available [[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/networking/internet-explorer-edge-open-connect-corporate-public-network|here]].
 ----
-===== Ways to personalize Windows 10 without activating it =====
+===== Personalizing a non-activated Windows 10 system =====
-=== Disable Taskbar Button Grouping with Group Policy ===
+==== Disable Taskbar Button Grouping with Group Policy ====
 Open the Registry Editor app and locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
@@ Line 46: / Line 57: @@
 Restart the computer.
-=== Setting Desktop Wallpaper via Group Policy ===
+==== Setting Desktop Wallpaper via Group Policy ====
 Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
 Navigate to ''Local Computer Policy -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Desktop -> Desktop''\\
@@ Line 56: / Line 67: @@
 Wallpaper modification will take effect on the next login.
-=== Setting Desktop Wallpaper using Registry Editor ===
+==== Setting Desktop Wallpaper using Registry Editor ====
 Open the Registry Editor app.\\
 Navigate to //Policies// in //HKCU//.\\
@@ Line 77: / Line 88: @@
 Wallpaper modification will take effect on the next login.
-=== Removing the wallpaper ===
+==== Removing the wallpaper ====
 In case you want to remove this wallpaper, navigate to the following path:
@@ Line 114: / Line 125: @@
 {{:cmd.jpg?600|}}
+==== Bulk Installation of Programs ====
+Visit www.ninite.com
+==== Checking a file's hash ====
+  certutil -hashfile <filename> SHA256
+==== Laser Printer keeps "going offline" ====
+Solution found on Reddit:
+> Unfortunately, I think most HPs don't have an option for disabling sleep mode altogether.
+>
+> However, if you're using a Windows PC, I have often found that the computer will mistakenly show the printer as 'offline' if the print driver port is set to Web Services Driver (WSD).
+>
+> If you're using a Windows computer and used the "Add A Printer" set up feature, it will often automatically assign the driver port to WSD. Go to Control Panel => Devices and Printers => Right-click the printer icon and choose Printer Properties => Go to the tab labelled 'Ports' and it should have the current port highlighted. If it says 'WSD' followed by a bunch of random numbers, hit 'Add New Port' => TCP / IP => Input the printer's IP address.
+>
+> If you don't know the printer's IP address off-hand, you can print a network configuration page by holding down the green button for about 5-10 seconds. The address should be listed under Product Settings next to IPv4 address.
+>
+> If you want to check the printer's settings, type that IP address into a web browser while the printer is connected. Make sure the IP address is set to static by going to the Network tab., clicking on 'Networking' from the left pane, and then clicking on 'Network Address (IP)'.
+==== Quick Guide: Automatic login in Windows 10 ====
+Open the registry editor\\
+Enter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device.\\
+Double click on “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion” and set the value to “0”.\\
+Open User Accounts using [Windows] + [R] and “netplwiz”.\\
+Uncheck the box beside “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”.\\