Windows 10 and 11 come equipped with a variety of system tools that help you monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize your PC. Over time, these tools and their settings can become cluttered, outdated, or misconfigured, leading to decreased performance and potential errors. Customizing and cleaning up these system tools not only improves efficiency but also gives you better control over your Windows experience. This article highlights the top 10 ways to clean and customize Windows system tools, featuring practical, step-by-step guides for both beginners and advanced users.
1. Cleaning Up Disk Cleanup (Storage Sense)
For Beginners:
1. Open “Settings” (Windows key + I).
2. Go to “System” > “Storage”.
3. Toggle on “Storage Sense” to let Windows automatically delete temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin.
4. Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now” for more options.
5. Choose how often Storage Sense runs and what it removes.
For Advanced Users:
– Use the classic Disk Cleanup tool (type “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu).
– Select the drive to clean.
– Check the boxes for system files, including Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, and more.
– Click “Clean up system files” for deeper cleaning.
Pro Tip: Glary Utilities offers an even more thorough cleanup, removing junk files and old system logs with its Disk Cleaner and Tracks Eraser modules.
2. Customizing Task Manager for Easier Access
For Beginners:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Right-click on columns (e.g., Name, Status, CPU) to add or remove details like “GPU Usage” or “Startup Impact”.
For Advanced Users:
– Go to the “Startup” tab and disable unnecessary startup programs for faster boot times.
– Explore “Details” and “Services” tabs to end specific tasks or restart services safely.
3. Streamlining System Configuration (msconfig)
For Beginners:
1. Press Windows key + R, type “msconfig,” and press Enter.
2. Under the “Startup” tab, review which programs run at boot and disable unwanted items.
For Advanced Users:
– Use the “Boot” tab to enable Safe Boot or limit the number of processor cores used during startup for troubleshooting.
4. Cleaning Up and Customizing the System Tray
For Beginners:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
2. Scroll to “Notification area” and click “Select which icons appear on the taskbar”.
3. Enable only the icons you need for a cleaner, less cluttered tray.
For Advanced Users:
– Use third-party tools like Glary Utilities to manage startup programs, which often reduce unnecessary icons.
5. Managing and Cleaning Device Manager
For Beginners:
1. Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
2. Expand device categories and look for any devices with warning symbols.
3. Right-click and select “Update driver” or “Uninstall device” as needed.
For Advanced Users:
– Show hidden devices (View > Show hidden devices) and remove outdated hardware entries.
6. Optimizing the Services Console
For Beginners:
1. Press Windows key + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter.
2. Scroll through the list and look for unnecessary services set to “Automatic”.
3. Right-click and set their startup type to “Manual” if not needed.
For Advanced Users:
– Research specific services before disabling to avoid affecting critical system functions.
– Glary Utilities’ “Startup Manager” can assist in identifying non-essential background services.
7. Cleaning Up Scheduled Tasks
For Beginners:
1. Type “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Click “Task Scheduler Library” and review scheduled tasks.
3. Right-click outdated or unnecessary tasks and choose “Delete”.
For Advanced Users:
– Dive into subfolders within the Task Scheduler Library to remove legacy software schedules or system leftovers.
8. Resetting Windows Security App Customizations
For Beginners:
1. Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
2. Go to “Virus & Threat Protection” and review settings.
3. Click “Manage settings” and restore defaults if custom rules are causing issues.
For Advanced Users:
– Use “App & Browser Control” to reset SmartScreen filters and reputation-based protection.
9. Managing Event Viewer Logs
For Beginners:
1. Type “Event Viewer” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Expand “Windows Logs” and right-click “Application” or “System”, then select “Clear Log”.
For Advanced Users:
– Use Custom Views to filter specific log types or create new views for monitoring crucial events.
– Glary Utilities can automate log cleaning alongside its other maintenance tools.
10. Cleaning Up System Restore Points
For Beginners:
1. Search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Under “System Protection”, click “Configure”.
3. Click “Delete” to remove all restore points, or adjust disk space usage.
For Advanced Users:
– Use Disk Cleanup (“Clean up system files” button) and select “More Options” to remove all but the most recent restore point.
How Glary Utilities Enhances System Tool Cleanup
Glary Utilities is a comprehensive suite designed to simplify and automate most of these maintenance tasks. With modules for disk cleaning, registry repair, startup management, and privacy protection, Glary Utilities provides an easy-to-use interface that is perfect for both beginners and advanced users. You can schedule regular cleanups, manage startup items, and optimize system performance without navigating multiple system tools. This all-in-one approach saves time and reduces the risk of accidental system misconfiguration.
Conclusion
Cleaning and customizing Windows system tools helps maintain your PC’s performance, reliability, and personal workflow. Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, following these top 10 strategies will ensure your system tools remain effective and clutter-free. For those seeking an even easier, more comprehensive solution, Glary Utilities is a powerful ally in keeping your Windows system running at its best.