This article is made to list the issues faced with Windows 11. Back in 2005, I was on Windows XP on my first desktop, when many computer users were still stuck to Windows 98. Windows got smarter but I skipped next generations of Windows, and again back to Windows with Win 7 with new laptop in 2008. Win7 is stable experience on the oldie. But had to move on to a new laptop, as I have transition to Windows 11 in 2022.
Noting down my experiences on Win11, as follows.
First of all with SSD, it is super smooth.
First I moved the dock like Taskbar (in the middle) to left.
Creating partitions on SSD, I installed 2 partition manager and I was an idiot. Disk Management tool of Win11 is capable to do that. My old Minitool Partition Wizard also did not help.
On 23rd Nov, 2022, my laptop got updated to Win11 22H2 (got Win11 23H2 update on 03/11/2023). And after the update I got error message: amifldrv64.sys load prevented by Windows Security.
Clicking on 'Learn More' gets me on: Windows Help page
You can also open the Core isolation page by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device Security and then under Core isolation, selecting Core isolation details. Turn the Memory integrity setting Off if it isn’t already. You'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Win11 24H2 update came on 13-10-2024.
Windows 7 or Vista look on Windows 11 by single command: https://betanews.com/2024/02/04/transform-windows-10-or-11-into-windows-7-or-vista-with-a-single-command/
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Driver Updater
I tried many of them, most are paid. And often they make the system unstable after updates.
🛠 However I got something free and great - Snappy Driver Updater : https://sdi-tool.org/
It's not like the driver updaters you have used before. It get all updates downloaded first, then you can chose which ones to install.
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Stop ads/targeted ads on Win 11 :
(stop distractions after logging in)
Windows > Settings > Privacy & Security > General > switch off all 5 options
Windows > Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & Feedback > stop sending Diag data
Windows > Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & Feedback > Tailored Experience > switch off
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Softwares - Must Haves on Win11:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/windows-ultimate-collection-guides.4507867/
Ninite.com - download/update all apps
Win7/10/11 start menu - https://www.startisback.com/
NetWorx
NirSoft web site provides a unique collection of small and useful freeware utilities, all of them developed by Nir Sofer. https://www.nirsoft.net
Archivers
7-zip, PeaZip, NanaZip
>OldSchool< WinZip, WinRAR
Browsers
Opera/Vivaldi/Firefox
Edge
Browsers with VPN - Opera, Aloha Browser, Epic Browser, Avast Browser, UR Browser
Epic Browser has only 2 search engine options - Yahoo and Epic.
EpicSearch is ad-free, requires registration and costs $2.50 per month.
Other Mentions: Floorp (a Firefox fork, made in Japan, features similar to Vivaldi)
Opera's top extensions:
- Install Chrome Extensions - NOT available anymore, as Opera supports Chrome extensions natively now.
- DownloadHelper - https://www.downloadhelper.net/
- V7 Notes
- The Camelizer
- Shopper.com
- RightToCopy
- Privacy Badger
- Page load time
- Allow Select and Copy
- Enable Right Click for Google Chrome
Addons - uBlock Origin/Dark Reader/Pocket/Always on Top
Download Manager -
XDM
Though my all time favorite is IDM, it's not a freeware.
Top Free DM:
Free Download Manager
JDownloader - resource heavy as Java based
EagleGet
uGet - free and opensource, UI is not great
DownThemAll - as extension
In the bygone days, I used WestByte's IDA, Speedbit's DAP. DAP is dead now. IDA is its dead sleep.
Multimedia Player - VLC/MPC-BE/PotPlayer
I earlier used KMPlayer OR KMP.
Windows Utility Tools
CCleaner
Revo Uninstaller Pro
PDF Password Remover
Nitro PDF Pro
During XP days, xp-Antispy was an app to limit Microsoft's hunger for data i.e. Privacy Tool for XP. It was last updated in 2015. But it got forked and returned as XD-Antispy: https://github.com/builtbybel/xd-AntiSpy/releases
SuperMSConfig is another app from same guy. It is being described as "SuperMSConfig takes the xd-AntiSpy dynamic to the next level, offering global system checks and adjustments across a wide range of areas. . xd-AntiSpy is designed as an anti-spyware tool, while SuperMSConfig becomes the go-to hub for fine-tuning your Windows 10 or Windows 11 configuration to perfection."
Similar apps:
Windows Utility or WinUtil - install popular apps, debloat Windows, Troubleshooting issues, Configure Windows Update.
WPD - Privacy dashboard for Windows.
A small but powerful portable tool that works through the Windows API. WPD is the most convenient way to configure various privacy settings in Windows.
Update all apps at one go:
Run cmd as administrator
Enter 'winget upgrade --all'
Enter 'Y' to accept terms
That's it - it will update all apps on your Windows 11.
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Know Battery health:
Select Search on the taskbar, type Command prompt, press and hold (or right-click) Command prompt, and then select Run as administrator > Yes.
At the command prompt, type powercfg /batteryreport, then press Enter.
The battery report will be an HTML file that’s stored in a folder on your PC. The file location will be shown in the Command Prompt window.
🛠 On Microsoft site - link
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How to charge your laptop via USB-type C port though it is for the data transfer only?
HP 14S comes with a USB type C port, but that supports only data transfer. MicroUSB is dead virtually, and USB-C is more universal. Even Apple adopted USB-C in iPhone 15 line up. Today many laptops come with a different AC adapter often support USB-C power. The exceptions are gaming laptops and mobile workstations, which need strong power adapters to handle the high wattage. The tiny plug design of USB-C helps laptop manufacturers to make thinner designs. Interestingly laptops from mobile phone makers (eg, Mi, Realme, Nokia ) having only charging option
In my case I need to carry the charger and the cords which came with the laptop, while I am carrying a USB-C cable with adaptor for my phone. I need to cut down the weight. So I looked for an adapter which can allow to use the phone's charger for charging my laptop. Thankfully I got something very useful on Amazon.in - barrel jack plug converter. It was easier to find out as the color coding helps.
The link is here: https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B0CSYRG936/
The full description reads: Usb C To 4.5Mm Laptop Charging Adapter Female Type C To Male Dc 4.5 X 3.0Mm Barrel Jack Plug Converter 100W Pd Power Charger Connector Tip
Now I got it delivered, but found that it is not working with my phone's 33W chargers. I checked with the laptop charger - its 65W. So I got a charger from Xiaomi that's supporting 120W. Now the plug connector is worked!
🛠 Huawei/Honor's 100W charger did not work!
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3FO Error: Boot device not found:
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Security apps: 🛠 💡
After my laptop got infested with malwares, I have to format the Windows 11 on the laptop. It can be easily done with Reset This PC (under Systems > Recovery). It took hardly 30 minutes to do so. I was concern about the disk partition - will it be intact or not. Thankfully the disk partition was intact - C/D/E. But on D & E partition the icon showing 'Yellow Triangle with !' My D Drive was completely blank - so I format it and voila the issue is gone. But for E drive I need to clear my doubts.
Standing in the year of 2023, I had to opt for a security app for my laptop and I saw the world has changed a lot. My HP laptop came with preloaded McAfee AV along with Windows Defender.
I got updated as just like little known BBK Electronics owns Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, realme, iQOO, the digital security space is actually dominated by Gen Digital (previously Symantech Corp, home of Norton products) who owns Norton, AVG, Avira and Avast brands.
Today many smartphone makers are including a security app powered by a reputed AV company, for eg, Mi has tied up with Avast or Samsung with McAfee. Samsung has its own security stuff - Knox that's similar to Windows Defender.
Even Indian telecom companies offer similar app - Jio Security is powered by Norton. Earlier Airtel had agreement with F-Secure. Now Airtel Secure is powered by different components from cyber security giants like Cisco, Radware, VMWare, Forcepoint etc.
I came across SmadaAV - an unique antivirus from Indonesia - which aims to be offering second layer of security to Windows and USB flash drives. Web: https://www.smadav.net/?lang=en
Similar to SmadAV: Panda USB Vaccine is an old tool (last updated in 2009 til v1.0.1.4) for Windows. It is not compatible with Win11. When I was looking for it recently, found that Panda Dome is a new app from Panda Security - combines Antivirus and VPN.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/panda-usb-vaccine/
similar collections: https://www.fosshub.com/Anti-Malware.html
After 1 year, I got a superb deal from McAfee - LiveSafe 1 device came at Rs 199.00 (April 2023).
Well later I found that this subscription came for 360 days only.
In 2024 after a year, McAfee offered:
(www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-in/landing-page/retention/mls-family/livesafe.html)
For HP Laptop:
2yr, 1 device - Rs 1399
1yr, 1 device - Rs 0999
2yr, UL device - Rs 5299
1yr, UL device - Rs 3599
However MalwareBytes seems to be a great thing for me.
My top choices:
Norton - it's now fast and holds best of Symantech, Avira, AVG and Avast.
MalwareBytes - best of new entry
SpyBot S&D - my old favorite, is now not that great.
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