Windows users face a landscape where cyber threats and privacy concerns are always evolving. Ensuring your PC is as secure and private as possible isn’t just for businesses or advanced users—everyone can benefit from taking steps to safeguard their systems. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Windows veteran, optimizing your security and privacy settings is crucial. Below are the top 10 expert-recommended ways to enhance your Windows system’s security and privacy.
1. Keep Windows and Software Up to Date
Beginner:
Windows Updates are your first line of defense. They include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. To make sure your system is always updated:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click “Check for updates” and install any pending updates.
Enable automatic updates to ensure you never miss critical security patches.
Advanced:
Use Windows PowerShell to automate update checks or configure Group Policy for update management in business environments. Also, routinely update third-party applications through tools like Glary Utilities, which can scan for outdated software and help you update them efficiently.
2. Use Strong Authentications
Beginner:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
Enable Windows Hello (facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN) for more secure local authentication.
Set a strong password for your Microsoft account.
Advanced:
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all Microsoft and linked third-party accounts. Use security keys where possible for maximum protection.
3. Control Privacy Settings
Beginner:
Navigate to Settings > Privacy.
Review permissions for location, camera, microphone, and other sensitive data.
Disable access for apps that don’t require these permissions.
Advanced:
Use the Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro/Enterprise) to enforce privacy settings across multiple accounts or configure privacy via registry tweaks for granular control.
4. Enable BitLocker Drive Encryption
Beginner:
BitLocker encrypts your hard drives, protecting data if your device is lost or stolen.
Go to Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Follow prompts to turn on BitLocker for your system drives.
Advanced:
Configure BitLocker with TPM and PIN or use network unlock features in a domain environment for automated yet secure access.
5. Harden Network Security
Beginner:
Connect only to trusted Wi-Fi networks and enable Windows Defender Firewall.
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
Forget networks you no longer use.
Advanced:
Configure advanced firewall rules or use Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) for enterprise-grade monitoring and response.
6. Use a Trusted Antivirus and Enable Windows Defender
Beginner:
Windows Defender Antivirus provides robust built-in protection for most users.
Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
Run regular scans and ensure Real-time Protection is enabled.
Advanced:
Integrate Windows Defender with exploit protection, ransomware protection, and cloud-delivered protection, or supplement with advanced endpoint security solutions.
7. Regularly Clean and Audit Your System
Beginner:
Remove old files, apps, and browser data that could expose sensitive information.
Use built-in Disk Cleanup or download Glary Utilities.
With Glary Utilities, use the “Privacy Cleaner” and “Tracks Eraser” to remove browsing traces, temporary files, and usage logs.
Advanced:
Schedule Glary Utilities to run privacy and security checks automatically. Dive into Advanced Tools > Tracks Eraser to customize what is cleaned and securely overwrite deleted files.
8. Manage Application Permissions and Startup Items
Beginner:
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Uninstall programs you don’t use or recognize.
Open the Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and disable unnecessary startup apps to reduce attack surface.
Advanced:
Use Glary Utilities’ “Startup Manager” to review, disable, or delay startup programs. The included “Process Manager” can help you spot suspicious processes in real time.
9. Enable Controlled Folder Access and Ransomware Protection
Beginner:
Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage ransomware protection.
Turn on “Controlled folder access” to protect important folders from unauthorized changes.
Advanced:
Define custom protected folders and allow specific, trusted apps through. For business users, policy-based control can enforce these settings on multiple machines.
10. Secure Web Browsing and Online Activity
Beginner:
Use browsers with built-in tracking prevention (Edge, Chrome, Firefox).
Enable “Do Not Track” and use anonymous browsing modes for sensitive activities.
Advanced:
Install privacy-focused browser extensions and configure DNS over HTTPS (DoH) to encrypt DNS queries. Regularly clear cookies and cached data using Glary Utilities’ web browser cleaner modules.
Summary for Beginners
Focus on the basics: keep your system updated, use strong passwords, manage privacy permissions, enable BitLocker, and rely on trusted security tools like Windows Defender and Glary Utilities for regular maintenance. These steps will shield you from most common threats.
Advanced User Summary
Go further by automating updates, enforcing policies through Group Policy, customizing encryption and firewall rules, scheduling privacy cleanups with Glary Utilities, and optimizing advanced browser and network security settings.
Final Thoughts
Optimizing security and privacy on Windows systems is not a one-time task, but a continuous process. Regularly review your settings, stay informed about new threats, and use proven tools like Glary Utilities not just for PC cleanup, but for privacy protection and security auditing as well. By following these ten expert tips, you can create a safer and more private computing environment for yourself and your data—no matter your skill level.