Windows Fixes for Bugs / Tips and Tricks

Fixed

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Can't Shrink SSD to create another drive or very low space available

Click to see Steps


It's the same problem that happens with Hard Disk Drive where the files have been written in the most farther sector. To solve this dot he following:

  1. Create some space on your SSD. Yes, it's important to have as much free space you can have. Don't do it if your drive is 90% space, a lot of the data will be written on it. Make as much of it free as you can.
    Note: You can't do it with the widnows own Defragmenter as SSDs aren't supposed to be defragement as it consumes write cycles and there is only so much write cycles on an SSD.
  2. Download and install Defraggler.
  3. Close every application on your PC as much as you can because temporary files gets written by those application. Then open Defraggler.
  4. Right Clik on your Drive→Advanced→Defrag Freespace
    Note: Don't use normal defragmenation. It will only move files farther away and reduce the amount of free space you can see earlier. Guess how I learnt that.
  5. This should move files to the beginning of your SSD and should be more than enough, if however you need a lot more space like I did, select the Defrag Freespace again and again until you have desired quantity. However after a certain while it will be difficult to reduce more space in which case see the next step.
  6. Right Clik on your Drive→Advanced→Defrag Freespace(Allow Fragmentation).
    Note: Yes, we are actually fragmenting files on purpose to make them move out of the end and to the beginning.
I have about 40% or 400GBs free space but I wasn't able to shrink more than 3GB on it due to the same issue.
This is what happened after just running Defragment Freespace once which ran for a few hours(1-3 hrs)
This is the result after running Defragment Freespace once
This is the result after running Defragment Freespace a few times

Remove Stupid Windows Apps that won't uninstall

We are going to use Get-AppxPackage to do this.

  1. Click on Start-> Type Powershell→ Select Windows Powershell(x86) → Run as Administrator.\
  2. Get the complete package list for all users on your system with:
    Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers
    1. You will get a huge list of apps that you might want to remove which will contain lines like. We are only concerned with the Name. Here is the complete list on a new Windows Install.
      Microsoft.UI.Xaml.CBS 1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89
      c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515
      E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B
      F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE
      Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin
      Microsoft.AccountsControl
      Microsoft.AsyncTextService
      Microsoft.BioEnrollment
      Microsoft.CredDialogHost
      Microsoft.LockApp
      Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient
      Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost
      Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp
      Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp
      Microsoft.Windows.AugLoop.CBS
      Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker
      Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost
      Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager
      Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal
      Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow
      Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls
      Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost
      Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog
      Microsoft.Windows.PrintQueueActionCenter
      Microsoft.Windows.SecureAssessmentBrowser
      Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost
      Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost
      Microsoft.Windows.XGpuEjectDialog
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.CBS.1.6
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.CBS
      Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.AIX
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.Core
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.FileExp
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.OOBE
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.Photon
      MicrosoftWindows.LKG.AccountsService
      MicrosoftWindows.LKG.IrisService
      MicrosoftWindows.LKG.TwinSxS
      MicrosoftWindows.UndockedDevKit
      NcsiUwpApp
      Windows.CBSPreview
      windows.immersivecontrolpanel
      Windows.PrintDialog
      Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2
      Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.3
      Microsoft.WindowsNotepad
      Microsoft.ZuneMusic
      Microsoft.WindowsTerminal
      Microsoft.ScreenSketch
      Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider
      Microsoft.Paint
      Microsoft.Windows.NarratorQuickStart
      Microsoft.ECApp
      Microsoft.WindowsAlarms
      Microsoft.SecHealthUI
      Microsoft.Todos
      Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop
      MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist
      Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay
      Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI
      Microsoft.WindowsCamera
      Microsoft.WindowsCalculator
      Microsoft.Windows.DevHome
      Microsoft.MPEG2VideoExtension
      Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes
      Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection
      Microsoft.GamingApp
      Microsoft.BingWeather
      Microsoft.BingSearch
      Microsoft.BingNews
      Microsoft.AVCEncoderVideoExtension
      Microsoft.AV1VideoExtension
      Microsoft.ApplicationCompatibilityEnhancements
      WinRAR.ShellExtension
      Microsoft.OutlookForWindows
      Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00
      Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00
      Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2
      Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2
      E046963F.LenovoCompanion
      Microsoft.VP9VideoExtensions
      Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop
      Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop
      Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.8
      Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.8
      Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub
      NVIDIACorp.NVIDIAControlPanel
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.5
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.5
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.6
      Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.4
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.4
      Microsoft.GetHelp
      Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable
      NotepadPlusPlus
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.en-IN.1.0
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.en-IN.1.0
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.Main.en-IN.1.0.1
      AppUp.IntelGraphicsExperience
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.6
      MSTeams
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.en-US.1.0
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.en-US.1.0
      Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting.Main.en-US.1.0.1
      Microsoft.OfficePushNotificationUtility
      Microsoft.WebpImageExtension
      Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller
      Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay
      Microsoft.RawImageExtension
      MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux
      CanonicalGroupLimited.Ubuntu22.04LTS
      Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension
      Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions
      MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience
      Microsoft.Office.OneNoteVirtualPrinter
      Microsoft.Windows.Photos
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.6
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.6
      Microsoft.HEVCVideoExtension
      Microsoft.YourPhone
      AppUp.IntelArcSoftware
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.7
      Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.7
      MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice
      Microsoft.WindowsStore
      Microsoft.CommandPalette
      Microsoft.Winget.Source
      Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder
      Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp
      Microsoft.Edge.GameAssist
      Microsoft.PowerToys.FileLocksmithContextMenu
      Microsoft.PowerToys.ImageResizerContextMenu
      Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRenameContextMenu
  3. .Once you have the name you can remove each application by running the command:
    Get-AppxPackage AppName -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
    Note: Replace AppName with the name of the app from above.
    1. For example. Here's what I did:
      App Name Command
      Phone Link
      Groove Music
      To Do
      Bing Weather
      Bing News
      Bing Search
      Solitare
      Sticky Notes
      Notepad
      Sketch
      Get Help
      Office Extra stuff
      Office Extra Stuff
      Office Extra Stuff
      Windows Dev Home
      Power Automate
      Xbox
      Xbox
      Xbox
      Xbox
      Xbox
      Quick Assist
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.ZuneMusic -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Todos -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.BingWeather -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.BingNews -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.BingSearch -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsNotepad -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.ScreenSketch -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.GetHelp -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OfficePushNotificationUtility -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OutlookForWindows -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.DevHome -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.GamingApp -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage
      Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage

Note: Don't start removing everything. Check online which packages are safe to remove. If unsure, create a system restore checkpoint first and remember if you are on Windows Pro you can disable a lot of the things with gpedit itself.

Can't map Alt+Tab in Logitech Mouse through G-Hub or On Board Memory Manager

Download Logitech Gaming Software and get rid of the horrible G-Hub permanently.

Logitech Mouse: Holding Down the Volume keys don't keep increasing/decreasing volume but only increase it one step

Download Logitech Gaming Software and get rid of the horrible G-Hub permanently.

Windows 11 Quick Settings always bugging out

TODO: English Video → Keep all english comments here | Hindi Video → Hindi/English both comments welcome.

Issue: When you click this area in beside the clock, this quick setting usually opens up. But for some reason it stops working from time to time and doesn't fix itself until the next boot.

Solution: Sign in with a local windows account instead of a microsoft account.
Settings→Accounts→Your Info→ Sign in with a local account instead→ Setup new password and hint→ Sign out and finish. [1]

Note about Windows and Office Sign ins:
1) If your laptop does come with Windows pre-installed, it's linked to the motherboard and even if you're not signed it, it will still work.
2) For Microsoft Office, I am still signed in the app even though I have converted to a normal account as you can see below. So if you use OneDrive or any online feature of Office(I was using prior to this blog but I am not going to use them anymore), you can still stay signed in:

3) Also, when you first activated your account, you have got an email with the office key itself. You can use that to activate it later if needed(but you might have to sign in with a microsoft account for the first time): 

Gimp 3 won't launch.

TODO: English Video → Keep all english comments here | Hindi Video → Hindi/English both comments welcome.

Start→ Region → Additional Settings→ Under Numbers Change the Decimal Symbol to either dot(.) or comma(.) from whatever it was before.

Apply and OK. The app will now launch for the first time and take quite some time.
Once app is launched close it and then revert back the decimal settings to what you like.

Install Microsoft Office Picture Manager

TODO: English Video → Keep all english comments here | Hindi Video → Hindi/English both comments welcome.

Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2010 (32-bit) Download Link From Microsoft

VLC takes about 2 seconds to show the actual video when seeking

Note: Install MPV.NET instead of MPV because MPV.NET is more user friendly.

Install MPV Player and get used to it's control. I tried a lot of things in VLC but had to ultimately give this up.

Unfixed

Archived/Old to sort

Fixing Permissions:

The better solution is to give the user account called 'Network service' full permissions for the appropriate folders and registry entries. Simply follow these instructions I found on another forum:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OfficeSoftwareProtection
C:\Program Data\Microsoft
Both these folders OfficeSoftwareProtection & Microsoft:
Properties > Security > Edit > Add > Network Service > OK > Check the Full control box > Apply and OK.

Regedit.exe -> HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
Right Click on the Folder > Permissions > Add > Type NETWORK SERVICE >  OK > Check Full Control > Apply > OK

Archived/Old Stuff to be sorted Can’t access “Create and Format Hard Disk Partition,” or “Change Adapter Options” from Modern UI:


Navigate to Computer Configuration->Windows Settings->Security Settings->Local Policies->Security Options

Enable "User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account" which is set to Not Defined.

Reboot.

S.M.A.R.T and HDD Tune are known to give false report

about Hard Drives failing. Drives still work for more than 5 years even after them showing an error.

Can’t share Folder to everyone on the network without password

Turn Windows Features On or Off-> SMB 1.0
Defragment before Short-Stroking

 HDDs and SSHDs. They help with the consistent speed graph.

Office Not Activating

. Try converting to Retail.

Disable Cortana:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search.
Right-click the “Windows Search” key (folder) in the left pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the value “AllowCortana”. Double-click it and set the value to “0”.

You can now close the registry editor. You’ll have to sign out and sign back in or restart your computer before the change takes effect.

Forcing an app to run on integrated graphics even after GPU settings are right:

OBS Not Running on Integrated Graphics (Black Screen on Display Capture):
Windows->Graphics Settings-> Classic App-> Select OBS or the app you want to force run on Integrated Graphics-> Power Saving-> Done

Add Open CMD here in the context menu:

1) regedit:
2) cmd Folder-> Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

Permissions -> Advanced

3) Change ownership to yourself from Trusted Installer. (Put your username in search field and search, it will automatically fill it for you, e.g. LAPTOP123/username
4) Back in the Permissions window, select Administrators from the top section and allow Full Control by checking the Allow checkbox on the dialog, then apply the changes and close the window

Now, delete the DWORD “HideBasedOnVelocityId” for CMD from the Registry Editor

5) Open Task Manager->Details Tab-> explorer.exe-> End Task.

6) Run Task-> explorer.exe

Stretched Resolution:

Open up regedit

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration

Click on the display listed, should see 00 subkey and if multiple displays 01. Click those and change scaling to 3

Reboot.

Streaming Youtube to VLC:

To anyone still having trouble getting YouTube videos to play!!!!!! Download this and follow the instructions for installing it: https://addons.videolan.org/p/1154080/ then if it doesn’t work after that, follow these instructions:

Troubleshooting:

/! Follow these steps if and only if you have already installed the script and it doesn’t work..

/! for the actual script see the “download” button (playlist_youtube.lua) below.

If the videos list appears in the Vlc “playlist” view but the videos won’t start, follow this steps:

1) delete the file “youtube.luac” in [vlc directory]/lua/playlist directory (ex: c:Program FilesVideoLANVLCluaplaylistyoutube.luac)

2) get the latest version of thr “youtube” script from here:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/videolan/vlc/master/share/lua/playlist/youtube.lua

3) place the file in the directory [vlc directory]/lua/playlist (where “youtube.luac” was)

Ultimate Performance Guide:

1) Remove Disk Caching for all drives esp with SSHD and HDD.

2) Windows Defender:

Remove Steam Folders from Virus Scans from all your locations.

3) Task Scheduler:

Remove Windows Defender Scans while the PC is being used.

4) CSGO Launch Options:

-high -novid -nojoy

The following is only for Intel HD Graphics and you have to check it out if you get stutters or not.

-noubershader

5) Remove Crap Windows Apps.

DO NOT REMOVE WINDOWS STORE, NVIDIA Control Panel is downloaded from Windows Store.

Create a System Restore point first

Double click to remove an app

Remove all that you don't need.

6) Windows Power Management:

PCI Express: Power Management Off

If On Intel Graphics: Maximum Performance

Make sure the maximum is set to 100% on Plugged in.

7) Graphics Card Settings:

Make sure every extra feature is turned off and only the multi-threading option if available is turned on. (Threaded Optimization)

Try both shader cache options turned on and off, it seems to get mixed results.

8) Make sure your games are using your graphics card.

Sometimes these graphics card settings are overridden by Windows Graphics Power Save.

Bonus: OBS Settings, if the game is running on GPU set it to High Performance, if you are running on Intel HD, set it to Power Saving.

Best way to get performance out of OBS Studio is to make sure your games run in Windowed mode and OBS is set to power saving.

9) CSGO In game settings: Turn everything off except multithread. Also run it in Fullscreen if you are not recording.

10) Turn off sysmain service.

You might have to stop the service if it is already running.

11) Make sure apps that you don't use at startup are turned off.

Check the apps location which you are suspicious of.

12) Make sure services you don't need at startup are turned on.

It's msconfig

Make sure you hide all microsoft services.

Only turn off services you are sure about you don't need at startup.

Don't turn off Nvidia, AMD, Steam, BattleEye. 

Do turn off update services.

Restart

13) Clear temp and prefetch.

temp

%temp%

prefetch

Some files won't delete as they are being used. No need to worry.

14) Some visual elements

15) Let PC handle Paging

16) Run Malware bytes once, remove malware, and then uninstall it.

See as you can see I had a bunch of adwares in Chrome.

If you want to keep Malware bytes, keep it, make sure it's not starting with a system and you open it manually.

17) Try playing the game in 4:3 instead of full screen, you will have less FOV but if it's stretched, it's easier to hit.

For some people the graphics won't stretch and you will see black bars. Check your GPU Settings to find the settings to change it, if you can't find it here is a fix.

Restart.

Best Compression in Handbrake at the expense of time

 (400MB 10min video took 1 hour to encode on i5-8250u):

level=4.0:vbv-bufsize=25000:vbv-maxrate=20000:rc-lookahead=30:bframes=16:b-adapt=2:direct=auto:me=tesa:subme=10:analyse=all:trellis=2

Default Compression in Handbrake:

level=4.0:vbv-bufsize=25000:vbv-maxrate=20000:rc-lookahead=30

SteamKill:

C:\Windows\System32\taskkill.exe /F /IM steam.exe

No. Of Processes at Startup:

Win+R->msconfig->Boot->AdvancedOptions->[✓]Number Of Processors->Maximum Value
 

Streaming Help Guides:

OBS High CPU Usage (Browsers):-

Disable Hardware Acceleration.

OBS Can’t record Chrome:-

If hardware acceleration is disabled in chrome- Use integrated GPU.

If hardware acceleration is enabled in chrome - Use dedicated  GPU.

OBS Settings:-

If the game is running on GPU set it to High Performance, if you are running on integrated Graphics Card, set it to Power Saving.

Best way to get performance out of OBS Studio is to make sure your games run in Windowed mode and OBS is set to power saving.

Shortcut to Windows Graphics Settings:-

ms-settings:display-advancedgraphics

Disable auto grouping of files:

Black screen on login but not on automatic repair + Mic not detecting even with the correct driver:


Speculation:

VVI: Don't let Windows Update the Display Driver From Microsoft Basic to Intel 620 UHD. It is the culprit that seems to cause both the black screen and the audio issue.

Before Installing the Graphics and Audio Driver, disable Windows Update and pause it for as long as you can first.

Before connecting to the internet, go to System Properties-> Hardware -> Device Installation Settings-> NO [THIS DOES JACKSHIT IMO BUT DO IT NONETHELESS]

Then uninstall installed Intel Graphics and all audio by Windows first. Make sure to select the remove software option too.

Uninstall both the graphics and audio software if you still have any. [Windows will use a Windows Basic Display Driver if your PC/laptop doesn't have a GPU]

[Windows will use a Windows Basic Display Driver if your PC/laptop doesn't have a GPU]

Keep the drivers that come with your laptop ready. They are the only ones that will work without issues.

Install both the drivers, first Intel Graphics Card since it seems to come with the initial Intel Audio.

Then restart. Very important. Don't skip restart.

Install the realtek audio for your system. Restart.

Disable updates for all drivers.

Move all exe shortcuts to startup

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate

Value 1 Hexadecimal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBf0DOzA9Do

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/windows-update-minitool.380535/

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_update_minitool.html

Problem: Mic isn’t recognized in CSGO or other programs after installing Equalizer APO?

Solution: Uninstall Equalizer APO from all devices. Install only on the mic and select troubleshooting options. Select, “Install as SFX/EFX.

Start Windows Apps With Windows:


Run: shell:appsfolder

Run: %appdata%

\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Floating Player for Windows

Windows Shortcuts:
 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/launch-resume/launch-settings-app

Trouble uninstalling Microsoft Office Versions (especially 2019)?


Try Microsoft Support & Recovery Assistant to completely uninstall/remove Office.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/about-the-microsoft-support-and-recovery-assistant-e90bb691-c2a7-4697-a94f-88836856c72f?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us


Unable to remove work or family account?
 

Settings > Accounts > Access work or school

Click the account you want to remove.

Click Disconnect

More information:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/cant-remove-a-work-or-school-account-from-windows/22403d43-91b6-4724-b509-ab3d28031e05


Swap function keys to allow F~ keys to take over in many Dell laptops with
Fn+Esc 


 


Mouse shortcut

main.cpl 

Or 

C:\Windows\System32\main.cpl

Steam can’t start. VAC or multiple errors

Try changing nickname

Keyboard Disable Laptop

https://www.techadvisor.com/how-to/laptop/turn-off-laptop-keyboard-3676272/


Local Computer Policy->Computer Configuration->Administrative Template-> System -> Device Installation-> Device Installation Restrictions→

Prevent Installation Of Devices not described by other policy settings.

Device manager- Remove keyboard.