Windows 10 Tweaks & Fixes

The search from start won't work. You have been warned.
You can use the Classic Shell and its search. The search engine in Windows 10 is not affected, but the default start menu has Cortana *hardcoded* to. That's a shame.

 

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To delete

 

Reg file to add BOTH Command Prompt and Powershell to Context Menu

NOTE: Although Windows 10 allows you to add the Command Prompt OR Powershell
to the Win-X menu - it does not allow you to add BOTH. This reg file will add BOTH to
the right-click context menu.

Spoiler

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; enhance_the_open_command_prompt.reg
; This adds Command Prompts and Powershell Prompts sub menus

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\01MenuCmd\]
"ExtendedSubCommandsKey"="Directory\\ContextMenus\\MenuCmd"
"Icon"="cmd.exe"
"MUIVerb"="Command Prompts"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\02MenuPowerShell\]
"ExtendedSubCommandsKey"="Directory\\ContextMenus\\MenuPowerShell"
"Icon"="powershell.exe"
"MUIVerb"="PowerShell Prompts"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd\]
"Extended"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Powershell\]
"Extended"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuCmd\shell\open\]
"Icon"="cmd.exe"
"MUIVerb"="Command Prompt"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuCmd\shell\open\command\]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuCmd\shell\runas\]
"Icon"="cmd.exe"
"MUIVerb"="Command Prompt Elevated"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuCmd\shell\runas\command\]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuPowerShell\shell\open\]
"Icon"="powershell.exe"
"MUIVerb"="PowerShell"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuPowerShell\shell\open\command\]
@="powershell.exe -noexit -command Set-Location '%V'"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuPowerShell\shell\runas\]
"Icon"="powershell.exe"
"MUIVerb"="PowerShell Elevated"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\ContextMenus\MenuPowerShell\shell\runas\command\]
@="powershell.exe -noexit -command Set-Location '%V'"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\01MenuCmd\]
"ExtendedSubCommandsKey"="Directory\\ContextMenus\\MenuCmd"
"Icon"="cmd.exe"
"MUIVerb"="Command Prompts"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\02MenuPowerShell\]
"ExtendedSubCommandsKey"="Directory\\ContextMenus\\MenuPowerShell"
"Icon"="powershell.exe"
"MUIVerb"="PowerShell Prompts"

 

There is no 'REM' in reg code, to comment use ';'.

 

Been using them for years - they still work.

 

The option for the command prompt in the context menu is already present
Just enough of the activated, removing a registry key

In addition, the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xxxx\xxxx\shell\cmd (or HKLM) keys are write-protected

 

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How to create a Powershell script to add new lines to HOSTS file

The Windows Hosts file allows you to define which domain names (websites) are linked to which IP addresses. The Windows Hosts file can be used to block websites, redirect them, create shortcuts to websites, create your own local domains, and more. The following instructions explain how to create a .PS1 file to add lines to the HOSTS file.

Spoiler

#Update hosts file with Powershell - customize this file and save as .ps1

#This first section checks for admin privileges - add this to top of any ps1 script

param([switch]$Elevated)

function Test-Admin {
$currentUser = New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal $([Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent())
$currentUser.IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltinRole]::Administrator)
}

if ((Test-Admin) -eq $false) {
if ($elevated)
{
# tried to elevate, did not work, aborting
}
else {
Start-Process powershell.exe -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList ('-noprofile -noexit -file "{0}" -elevated' -f ($myinvocation.MyCommand.Definition))
}

exit
}

'Running with full admin privileges'

param([switch]$Elevated)

function Test-Admin {
$currentUser = New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal $([Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent())
$currentUser.IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltinRole]::Administrator)
}

if ((Test-Admin) -eq $false) {
if ($elevated)
{
# tried to elevate, did not work, aborting
}
else {
Start-Process powershell.exe -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList ('-noprofile -noexit -file "{0}" -elevated' -f ($myinvocation.MyCommand.Definition))
}

exit
}

'Running with full admin privileges'

# This section adds desired lines to hosts file
#These commands also check to see if the hosts entries exist before writing new lines.
# The first command enters a comment # and title for the following hosts entries
# Customize "# block hostname" ""127.0.0.1 hostname1" and "127.0.0.1 hostname2" to enter
# the desired block lines. Add more If statements if required for additional entries.

If ((Get-Content "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" ) -notcontains "# block hostname")
{ac -Encoding UTF8 "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" "# block hostname" }

If ((Get-Content "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" ) -notcontains "127.0.0.1 hostname1")
{ac -Encoding UTF8 "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" "127.0.0.1 hostname1" }

If ((Get-Content "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" ) -notcontains "127.0.0.1 hostname2")
{ac -Encoding UTF8 "$($env:windir)\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts" "127.0.0.1 hostname2" }

#-----------------------------------------------------------

 

Install CAB files via right click (as opposed to having to manually type it out via cmd or shell)

Spoiler: Screenshot

Save this code as a reg file and run

Spoiler: CODE

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs]
@="Install this update"
"HasLUAShield"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs\Command]
@="cmd /k dism /online /add-package /packagepath:\"%1\""

 

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I need some help please, after uninstalling Cortana, I lost my windows search completely. When I click on it nothing happens. is there any one who can help me here ?
Thank you

 

Is actually no-one checking for info prior to removal of components ?

Cortana IS the Start Menu Search, the default Windows search via Explorer still works.

Two options:

#1. Reinstall cortana CABs with Trusted Installer Rights (you'll need the correct localized Components for your locale).

#2. Use Start Menu Replacement (i.e. Classic Shell, StartIsBack++, etc...)

 

If you want to disable Cortana, but keep search do not uninstall her. Just run this.

Code:

Reg.exe add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search" /v "AllowCortana" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

 

thank you but I had done so already, do I have to reinstall windows 10 afresh?

 

I would. It never takes long to first boot.

 

What exactly does it do?

 

Seems like most of the links are dead on the first page. Is there some type of collection of the fixes to use on windows 10?