Windows Registry Editor provides the ability to customize your Windows experience and address minor annoyances that Microsoft might assume all users appreciate. From altering the Windows interface to unlocking hidden features, there are numerous adjustments available. To enhance your Windows further, here are several useful Windows registry tweaks to consider.

Tip: Defragmenting your registry can boost your Windows PC's performance. Here’s how to initiate the process.

Table of Contents

• Accessing the Windows Registry in Windows
• 1. Add Command Prompt to Context Menu
• 2. Revert to Windows 10-style Start Menu
• 3. Boost Network Speeds
• 4. Use Windows Photo Viewer Instead of Photos App
• 5. Disable Windows Lockscreen
• 6. Display Detailed Startup Information
• 7. Open Last Active Window in Taskbar
• 8. Disable Shake to Minimize
• 9. Add Custom Apps and Options to the Context Menu
• 10. Switch Windows Apps and Settings to "Dark Mode"
• 11. Eliminate the Windows Action Center Sidebar
• 12. Remove the OneDrive Button from File Explorer
• 13. Automatically Delete Pagefile.sys at Shutdown
• 14. Adjust Menu Animations
• 15. Disable Windows Startup Delay
• 16. Remove Bing from Start Menu Search
• Frequently Asked Questions

Warning: Altering the registry could potentially corrupt your Windows. It is advisable to follow the instructions meticulously and avoid making changes if you're unsure. To be safe, always back up your registry before modifications.

Accessing the Windows Registry in Windows

Since all the tweaks require accessing the Registry Editor in Windows, it's crucial to know how to get there.

1. Press the Win R keys and enter "regedit" in the "Run" dialog that appears.

2. Click "OK" to open the Windows Registry.

3. Alternatively, you can launch it by searching for "regedit" or "Registry Editor" in the Windows search box.

4. Add Command Prompt to Context Menu

Typing commands into the Command Prompt manually can be tedious. It would be more convenient to open the Command Prompt directly from a right-click menu. Here’s how:

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd</code>

2. You need to take ownership of the "cmd" registry key, which is protected by default. Right-click the "cmd registry-key" and choose "Permissions."

3. Click "Advanced" in the window that opens. This will lead you to another window where you can change the registry key owner.

4. Click "Change" for the Owner of the registry key. It's set to "TrustedInstaller" by default. Change it to "Administrators" in the next window.

5. After confirming the change, return to the main permissions window. Grant the admin owner "Full control" and "Read" permissions.

6. Next, right-click the "HideBasedOnVelocityId" entry in the right pane, select "Rename," and add an underscore "_" at the beginning of the name to disable it.

7. That's it. Close the Registry Editor, and the "Open command window here" option should now appear in the right-click context menu.

8. Revert to Windows 10-style Start Menu

The new Start menu in Windows 11 has a unique design, similar to those found in Ubuntu or macOS, which might be too different for some users. Here's how to switch back to the classic Windows 10 Start menu:

1. First, go to Taskbar Settings by right-clicking the Taskbar.
2. Ensure that the "Taskbar alignment" is set to "left" rather than the default "center" position.

3. Navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\</code>

4. Right-click an empty area in the right pane, then select "New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value."

5. Name it "Start_ShowClassicMode".
6. Double-click it and set the "Value data" to "1" to activate the Windows 10-style Start menu.

7. Restart your Windows 11 device to see the classic Start menu.

8. To revert to the new Start menu, change the "Taskbar alignment" to "center" and either delete the "Start_ShowClassicMode" key or set its value back to "0".

9. Boost Network Speeds

Many registry tweaks focus on design or aesthetic changes to enhance your Windows experience. However, there are also numerous tweaks aimed at improving your Internet speed. These can be found under sections like TCP/IP or Lanman:

<code>Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\</code>

If you're facing issues like packet loss, you can adjust settings such as reducing the default time to live (TTL), increasing the IRP Stack Size, enabling TCP extensions, or increasing the maximum number of ports available for programs connecting to your router.

There are so many network speed tweaks available in regedit that we have a dedicated list for them. If your primary goal in the Registry Editor is to improve your Internet speeds, explore this list.

4. Use Windows Photo Viewer Instead of Photos App

Many have encountered issues with the Photos app in Windows 10, while the Windows Photo Viewer from Windows 7 worked well but was removed in a Windows 10 update.

Unfortunately, Windows Photo Viewer is not supported in Windows 11, though the Photos app works smoothly in the newer OS.

However, the code for Photo Viewer remains in Windows 10, and you can enable it through a complex registry entry. This tweak is different from typical registry changes, and we have a guide on how to set Windows Photo Viewer as your default photo app in Windows 10.

5. Disable Windows Lockscreen

The Lockscreen adds a layer of security to your Windows PC, requiring a password or PIN to log back in. If you feel this is unnecessary, you can disable the Lockscreen entirely.

1. Navigate to the following path and create a new key called "Personalization":

<code>Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows</code>

2. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named "NoLockScreen".

3. Double-click the new key and set its value to "1" instead of the default "0".

Note: There are other methods to disable the Lockscreen, such as using third-party apps, but we do not recommend this approach.

6. Display Detailed Startup Information

If your PC is experiencing slowdowns or crashes, diagnosing the cause is crucial. Setting the Windows startup to "Verbose Mode" can provide detailed information about the processes during boot.

1. To enable this, go to the following registry key:

<code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System</code>

2. Right-click an empty space in the right pane, then select "New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value."
3. Name the value "VerboseStatus."
4. Double-click it and change its "Value data" from "0" to "1."

Good to know: If you're dealing with an unresponsive Taskbar in Windows, learn how to fix it.

7. Open Last Active Window in Taskbar

Since Windows 7, open apps on the Taskbar have been represented by icons, with each app's open windows grouped under that icon and visible as thumbnails when you hover over it. This design saves space and keeps things tidy.

By default, clicking a Taskbar icon for an open app shows these thumbnails, but you can tweak the registry so that clicking the icon opens the last active window of that app, saving you time.

1. Navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced</code>

2. On the right side, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named "LastActiveClick."
3. Double-click it to change its value from "0" to "1."

8. Disable Shake to Minimize

The "Aero Shake" feature, introduced in Windows 7, allows you to minimize windows by shaking the one you want to keep open. While it can be useful, it might minimize all windows unintentionally or be problematic for those with hand tremors. Here's how to disable it:

1. Go to the following Windows Registry path:

<code>Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced</code>

2. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called "DisallowShaking."

3. Change its default value from "0" to "1."

Tip: Familiarize yourself with the new context menus in Windows 11 and how they differ from the previous version.

9. Add Custom Apps and Options to the Context Menu

The context menu is a useful feature, but you can enhance it by adding specific apps or Windows features through registry keys. For example, here's how to add a "Check for Updates" option:

1. Navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell</code>

2. Right-click on the "Shell" folder and create two keys: "Check for Updates" and "Command."
3. Right-click "Check for Updates" and create a new String Value named "SettingsURI."

4. Double-click to edit the "Value data" to "ms-settings:windowsupdate-action."

5. Follow a similar process for the "Command" key, creating a string value "DelegateExecute" with the value data "{556FF0D6-A1EE-49E5-9FA4-90AE116AD744}."

6. After creating these keys and values, you should see the "Check for Updates" option in the right-click context menu.

Tip: You can also add an "Open with Notepad" option to the context menu, or replace Notepad with any other app on your PC.

10. Switch Windows Apps and Settings to "Dark Mode"

Whether reading white text on a dark background or dark text on a light background is better is debated, but if you prefer the former, you can use the registry to enable Dark Mode across Windows.

1. Navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\Personalize</code>

2. Find or create a DWORD (32-bit) value named "AppsUseLightTheme."
3. Change its value from "1" to "0." All Windows apps and browsers will now switch to a dark theme automatically.

Good to know: Check out our guide on manually switching the most common apps in Windows to Dark Mode.

11. Eliminate the Windows Action Center Sidebar

The Windows Action Center Sidebar provides quick-access buttons and notifications. If you find these unnecessary and dislike the sidebar taking up screen space, you can disable it.

1. In the Registry Editor, go to:

<code>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\</code>

2. Create a new key under "Windows" named "Explorer," then add a DWORD (32-bit) value called "DisableNotificationCenter."
3. Set the value for the DWORD entry to "1."

4. You will no longer receive notifications in the Action Center sidebar.

5. Remove the OneDrive Button from File Explorer

If you don't use OneDrive or have switched to another cloud storage service, there's no need for its icon in File Explorer.

1. Navigate to:

<code>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}</code>

2. Change the DWORD (32-bit) value for "System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree" to "0" from the default "1."

3. Then, navigate to:

<code>Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace</code>

and delete the default key entry for "018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6."

4. OneDrive will be removed from File Explorer upon key deletion.

13. Automatically Delete Pagefile.sys at Shutdown

The Pagefile.sys file acts as virtual RAM, helping manage program data and speeding up your PC. However, it can take up significant storage space. Here's how to automatically delete it at shutdown:

1. Navigate to:

<code>Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management</code>

2. Change the DWORD (32-bit) value for "ClearPageFileAtShutdown" from "0" to "1."

Note: You can also adjust the size and location of the Windows pagefile.

14. Adjust Menu Animations

Adjusting menu animations can make them appear quicker, which is beneficial for slower PCs and smoother mouse navigation.

1. Navigate to:

<code>Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop</code>

2. Select the "Desktop" key on the left.
3. Change the "MenuShowDelay" string value from its default 400 milliseconds to about 200 milliseconds.

15. Disable Windows Startup Delay

Windows introduces a slight delay at startup to help apps load smoothly. If you don't have many startup apps, this delay might be unnecessary and can be disabled.

1. Go to:

<code>Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer</code>

2. Create a key named "Serialize" and add a new DWORD (32-bit) value inside it.

3. Name it "StartupDelayInMSec" and set its value to "0." You should notice an immediate performance boost.

Tip: Don't let Microsoft dictate which browser you use to open links in Windows. Here's how to set your preferred option.

16. Remove Bing from Start Menu Search

The Windows 11 Start menu includes a default Bing search engine. If you're not a fan of Bing, you can remove it from the search box.

1. Navigate to:

<code>Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows</code>

2. Create a new "Explorer" key.
3. Under the new key, add a DWORD (32-bit) value named "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions."

4. Set its value data to "1."

5. After restarting your PC, the Bing search box will be removed from your Windows 11 Start menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to edit the Windows Registry?

Modifying the registry can potentially damage your Windows. It's recommended to follow instructions carefully and avoid tinkering if you're unsure. Always create a registry backup before making changes. The safest way to do this is by setting a system restore point. In case of issues, you can use System Restore to revert to a previous state.

How to edit registry files without Registry Editor?

Registry tweaks are not the only way to enhance your Windows experience. You can also use AutoHotKey Scripts and "reg.exe" commands in the Command Prompt. We have a list of useful AutoHotKey scripts for you to explore. Windows' customization capabilities are extensive, as shown by the custom docks you can install.

How to edit registry for another user in Windows 10/11

Editing the registry for another user is straightforward and useful for those who prefer not to adjust their PC settings themselves. You'll need to access user permissions remotely in the Command Prompt under administrator mode: reg load HKU\ C:\Users\\ntuser.dat

After loading, you can access the registry editor normally and navigate to "Computer\HKEY_USERS" to modify the registry values.

Image credit: Hal Gatewood at Unsplash. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

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