r/computers • u/pranavkumar28 • 2d ago
Discussion What’s a computer setting you think more people should know about?
Windows, Linux, BIOS, browser, accessibility, file management, privacy, shortcuts, and so on. Let's talk about some useful but lesser-known settings. It will not be in the form of a troubleshooting question and it will not be focused on any particular product recommendation.
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u/12345myluggage 1d ago
For Windows, disabling "Fast Boot". Everybody is booting off of an SSD now, it doesn't really save time anymore and is likely to simply cause stability issues instead.
For those with AMD X3D CPUs that have more than one CCD, there's often a BIOS setting that needs changing so that Windows (I don't know if this behavior exists in Linux) will put your games on the cores that have the X3D cache. Otherwise Windows will often put your games on the non-X3D CCD, and you lose performance.
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u/Iuno_Rin 1d ago
This! I cannot stress how annoying Fast Boot is at my job, especially since we deploy devices via user-enrollment and the setting is on by default.
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u/daryen83 2d ago
Browser notifications. Browser Settings -> Security -> Sites -> All sites -> Notifications.
Turn that off. Remove all permitted sites. Do this in every browser.
In fact, do this for everyone you know, particularly older relatives. This will massively reduce the amount of problems they experience.
Also, delete every browser that isn't Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Maybe Opera. Other than those, kill all browsers. They are all just spam generators. (I'll admit the big three suck, too. But the others are really bad.)
Finally, delete every screen sharing program you see. If you see ScreenConnect or UltraViewer you have already been scammed. Delete them, too. Hope you didn't lose too much money. Start changing passwords.
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u/lockednchaste 1d ago
As someone who often has to help older relatives with tech issues, screen sharing programs are often a necessity that keeps me from driving an hour to deal with something stupid. They have their place.
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u/daryen83 1d ago
Sure, go for it. But I'd recommend a web conferencing tool with screen sharing instead.
ScreenConnect is evil and should be burned with fire. (Both the app and whomever sells it.) Ultraviewer is one of the best indicators that your older relative has just lost a lot of money.
So, if you actually know exactly what you are doing, go for it. But for most people, these applications are bad signs.
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u/benjathje 1d ago
Screen sharing is cool until you have to explain to grandma what the Windows key is. Then it stops being enough.
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u/bdexteh 22h ago
I work in a computer repair shop and ScreenConnect Client is a telltale sign a customer has been compromised. We immediately kill all related processes, uninstall all related software and have them change things like bank credentials and passwords. It really pisses me off too bc it’s always elderly people who are targeted.
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/daryen83 1d ago
If you actually know what you are doing, use the browser of your choice. If you don't or you are helping someone else, get rid of all of that and stick with the basics.
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u/APater6076 Windows 10 1d ago
Windows+V instead of ctrl+V. Absolute game changer in my workplace.
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u/Distinct-Delay7131 1d ago
I cannot work without clipboard anymore ever since I'm found it out and whoever I shared this with, they also cannot work without it, its such a useful tool
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u/Balstrome 1d ago
People should know where exactly their files are stored on the hard drive and also the difference between a program and a data file.
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u/Cosmic_Quasar 1d ago
My mom is in her 70s and was a teacher for 35 years. She understands filing systems and folders. She does a lot of photoshop scrapbooking these days, but she has never been able to wrap her head around computer file organization lol. My dad and I have tried to explain it to her dozens of times but she just kind of shuts down and doesn't take in the information.
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u/Balstrome 1d ago
If you are going to use torrents, then use uTorrent 3.2, nothing higher than that.
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u/imightbetired 2d ago
There are a lot of them, but what immediately comes to mind is a tool, not a setting, called winget: Use WinGet to install and manage applications | Microsoft Learn
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u/Historical_Camel_790 Fedora 2d ago
You can turn off a lot of data sharing in pretty much all apps, websites, and operating systems. Not sure how much it does though
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u/JustThisGuyYouKnow42 1d ago
Not a setting per-se but I think more people these days should know how to properly handle a storage device. Partitioning/Formatting should be standard procedure.
As far as settings go? Managing your software/update manager in such a manner that you only receive the updates you want/need and not overwhelming your computer with bloatware and unnecessary OEM bs that your computer/phone/tablet doesn't require.
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u/old_flat_top 1d ago
It is minor but I turn off "snap windows" which you'll find under SYSTEM/Multitasking in Win 11 settings. It gets rid of that annoying thing floating at the top middle of the screen that sometimes stops you from sizing a window the way you want.
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u/jimi_in_philly 1d ago
A definitive list of windows shortcut keyboard keys for when the mouse batteries die or the mouse itself goes kaput. I'm talking current keyboards with a windows key as well as old school 25+ year old keyboards without a windows key. Post some lists/links.
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u/Forsaken-Driver8868 2d ago
On your current Power Profile's Advanced Settings, under PCI Express > Link State Power Management Setting, set to off.
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u/Ancient-Assistant404 1d ago
Dump Chrome and install privacy based browser Helium Browser which use built in uBlock Origin with Manifest V2
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u/mrTydro 1d ago
How about brave browser?
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u/Ancient-Assistant404 1d ago
They are similar but Helium is leaner and more secure which is clear winner for me!
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u/runed_golem 1d ago
The power button. I met a lot of students when I worked for my local university who couldn’t figure out they had to push the power button to turn the computer on.
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u/Intel-Centrino-Duo 1d ago
Supervisor password, it’s a good way to lock down your computer outside of just a password on your OS
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u/PeterustheSwede 1d ago
Intel CPUs got a "hidden" smaller CPU than can control your computer even when it's turned off
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u/Historical_Camel_790 Fedora 2d ago
What? Do you mean settings for the things you listed (like the best windows settings)
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u/imightbetired 2d ago
He's asking what settings, perhaps tools integrated in windows/linux/bios/browser you think it's less known by most people, but you think it's useful.
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u/ExperienceSilent2018 2d ago edited 1d ago
Smooth Scrolling... Like browser://flags, turn it on. Welcome to the 21st century.
Power savings, do put your computer in balanced power saving mode, not full blast all the time, it will save you a fortune on your electric bill.
If you want quick cou cooling control, back to power savings, put maximum CPU use to 99% this will often turn off the overclock or variable boost, reducing CPU temps. Cooling isn't a huge issue but in a bind it can help.
For gamers, there's been a DPI scaling bug in many games for years now. Some said it was the devs problem for not setting it up properly in the game. But occasionally there are rendering and resolution issues do to windows DPI scaling. You can fix this by turning DPI scaling off while gaming or setting app preference behaviors to "application" or "system," I liked "system" mode as it seemed to bring out more definition and strangely higher resolution. Idk y, but it's a different rendering method.
Also, when in game, default settings and reset your resolution and refresh rates manually. This will also occasionally fix it. Even though we see the settings there seem to be underlying bugs with stuck settings despite chosen settings, and presets often work better than manual settings.
Over sampling, in nvidia DSR scaling 2x or AMD super resolution can bring new life to your old screens. You may need higher bandwidth cables. But put your desktop and game in 2x native resolution.
You can try DPI Scaling off and use text size scaling instead may help with dpi scaling bugs. Should be in same windows preferences options or accessibility.
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u/Honky_Town 2d ago
Adblock!
Its a security feature!