Windows

Miscellaneous Tips

Random tips and tricks I've found useful while using Windows.

Fix Disappearing Mouse Cursor in Excel

I hit a similar issue a few years ago where the mouse cursor would disappear in Excel. It turned out to be related to overlays in DWM.

Run the following command from PowerShell as Administrator, then reboot:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'Registry::HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm' -Name OverlayTestMode 00000005

Startup Apps

  • Open the Run dialog box, enter shell:startup, then right-click inside the Startup folder and select New > Shortcut to add a program.
  • If you can't find the app, enter shell:appsfolder in the Run dialog box, then drag apps from that folder into the Startup folder.

Some apps offer a 'run at startup' option, which is an easier way to add a program to startup in Windows 10.

Turn Off Windows Search Web Suggestions

When you hit the windows key, this option controls whether or not "Bing web search results are shown"

I personally don't want that search text going to the web

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=windows+turn+off+search+the+web+start+menu&mid=C8DDEC50AB72966400B8C8DDEC50AB72966400B8&FORM=VIRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNRY7aUfIpo

Windows + R -> regedit

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Make Explorer "Key"

Add 32-bit DWORD

DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, set it to 1 (hexadecimal)

Disable Control Zoom on mouse wheel

Download AutoHotkey V2.0

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/is-there-a-way-to-disable-ctrl-mousewheel-zooming/4496026a-8f7b-4182-8ef9-1bde00fb7ae5

Make an exe and have it autostart.

#Requires AutoHotkey >=2.0- <2.1
A_MaxHotkeysPerInterval := 200
^WheelDown::Return
^WheelUp::Return

Logitech Remove Options+ popup

Use REGEDIT to delete DLL that autostarts Logitech Options+ Dialog Box.

Windows+R then regedit

Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Name = Logitech Download Assistant

Data = C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe C:\Windows\System32\LogiLDA.dll,LogiFetch

Source: Reddit Comment