Top 5 Essential Windows 11 Settings to Boost Privacy, Performance & Productivity

Settling into a new Windows 11 PC is an experience many users know well. The first boot is wreathed in excitement—Microsoft’s polished setup wizards, vibrant taskbar, and a welcoming Start menu—but beneath the surface, the operating system carries a suite of default behaviors and bundled features that aren’t designed for everyone. While Windows 11 offers a generally pleasant out-of-the-box experience, there are common irritants and privacy risks embedded by default. Tuning these settings not only streamlines your workflow but also shores up your data privacy and calms the onslaught of Microsoft’s “tips” and advertising nudges.
This article delves into five key Windows 11 settings that every user should consider changing immediately after their initial login. By doing so, you’ll declutter your desktop, dial back data collection, regain control over your notification flow, and create a computing environment tailored to your habits—not Microsoft’s marketing.

Change Your Default Browser (and Other Default Apps)​

One of the most persistent criticisms of Windows in recent years is Microsoft’s insistence on pushing its Edge browser by making it the default for web links and a range of file types. Despite genuine improvements to Edge over the past few versions, many users prefer the familiar landscape of Chrome or Firefox, whether for performance, extension ecosystems, or simple habit.
Upon first launching a new device, navigating to Settings > Apps > Default Apps allows you to choose your primary browser. In this interface, select Chrome, Firefox, or your preferred alternative and click ‘Set default’. It’s worth noting that Windows 11, as of recent monthly updates, simplifies the process for switching the default browser, addressing past complaints about excessive friction in these choices.
This is also the ideal time to change the default media player from Windows Media Player to something like VLC Media Player, especially if you work with a variety of uncommon file formats. By carefully setting your preferred defaults for documents, photos, and email, you can skip unnecessary prompts and avoid the subtle nudges that try to route you back to Microsoft products.

SEO Tactic: Optimizing Browser Performance on Windows 11​

Switching to a faster browser doesn’t just feel better—it can improve system startup time and memory use, particularly when you set a lightweight browser as default. Many guides on how to make Windows 11 faster highlight this as an early step.

Why Focusing on App Default Settings Matters​

A key strength of Windows 11 is that these changes require no registry edits or third-party tools—they’re all accessible from the core settings menu. However, it’s critical to note that each feature update can sometimes reset defaults without warning, so be vigilant after big Windows updates. Always verify after a major upgrade that your preferences hold.

Reduce Notification Fatigue​

Even seasoned Windows users can be blindsided by the sheer volume and persistence of notifications the OS delivers. From security reminders to pop-ups about product tips, “suggestions,” and app promotions, the default notification plan in Windows 11 feels like an eager digital assistant that refuses to take a hint.
Navigate to Settings > System > Notifications to fine-tune these settings. Here, you can toggle notifications for each app and organize them by “recently used,” which is helpful in identifying the apps most in need of silencing. Communication apps like Outlook, Slack, or Teams might warrant notification access, but many others do not.
Scroll to the bottom of the Notifications page to access “Additional settings.” Disabling “tips and suggestions when using Windows” not only reduces cognitive clutter but decreases the amount of data flowing back to Microsoft about your usage patterns.

Critical View: The Balance of Information and Annoyance​

While some notifications enhance your experience—security alerts, for example—others can siphon focus and productivity. The challenge is distinguishing between ‘helpful’ and ‘intrusive’. Microsoft positions many of its pop-ups as learning aids, but for advanced users, these are counterproductive. Windows 11’s Notification Center is designed to centralize alerts, but the real solution is aggressive pruning from day one.

Notification Management for Power Users​

If you use Windows 11 in a business or enterprise environment, your administrator may set certain notification policies on your behalf. However, on a personal device, you have full control, and power users often recommend a minimalist notification scheme. You may even consider leveraging Focus Assist, which further suppresses unnecessary alerts during calls or presentations.

Remove Copilot from the Taskbar and Uninstall It (If You Don’t Use It)​

Microsoft Copilot—the AI assistant—arrived with much fanfare, featuring direct integration with Windows 11. It now occupies a prominent place in the taskbar. For some, Copilot is a promising helper, pulling in generative AI to answer queries and automate tasks. For those uninterested in Microsoft’s AI push, however, it may appear as persistent bloat.
Fortunately, you can remove Copilot’s icon easily by right-clicking it on the taskbar and selecting unpin. For users wanting it gone altogether, uninstalling it is straightforward: Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Copilot and choose ‘Uninstall’. As of recent Windows builds, this removal will not affect Copilot within Microsoft 365 apps (e.g., Word, Excel), meaning Office power users aren’t at risk of losing embedded AI features.
Additionally, new laptops ship with a physical Copilot key on some keyboards. If you want to repurpose that key, Microsoft PowerToys—a free Windows utility—enables you to remap hardware keys. Open PowerToys, select the ‘Keyboard Manager’ module, and remap the Copilot key to something useful like launching Task Manager or muting your mic.

Risks: Removing Copilot—More Than Just Clutter?​

While removing Copilot streamlines the UI, there is a small chance that future Windows updates may reintroduce it as a default component. IT administrators should also note that group policies might affect whether Copilot remains available for enterprise users, reflecting Microsoft’s wider push towards AI-augmented workflows.

The Case for and Against Copilot in Windows​

The biggest strength of Copilot is its context sensitivity—offering up help, generating emails, or scripting actions based on your workflow. However, it also requires the transmission of some user data to Microsoft’s servers for AI processing, which privacy enthusiasts may view as a potential vector for overreach.

Disable the News Widget and Restore the Classic Start Button Alignment​

Alongside Copilot, Windows 11 also anchors the News Widget on the taskbar by default. Hovering brings up news, weather, stocks, and advertising delivered via the MSN network. While some users enjoy instant news or weather information, many see it as unwelcome clutter and, at worst, a form of bloatware.
To disable the News Widget: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and toggle ‘Widgets’ to remove it from your taskbar. This simple action banishes the pop-up and gives you back valuable taskbar real estate. For those who only want weather at a glance but dislike the overlay panel, you can open the Widget panel’s settings and toggle off “Open Widgets board on hover.”
Another divisive UI change in Windows 11 is the central alignment of the Start button. For users loyal to decades of lower-left-corner Start menu access, returning the button to its traditional place is also an option: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar alignment.

Perspective: The “Bloat vs Utility” Debate​

Many criticisms of Windows 11 come down to feature bloat. Both the News Widget and Copilot symbolize Microsoft’s drive to keep users within its ecosystem—surfacing MSN content and AI services. Disabling these widgets doesn’t remove them from the system (files and background processes may stick around), but it does dramatically improve the perceived responsiveness and cleanliness of the interface.
The option to revert the Start menu’s location highlights Microsoft’s reluctant flexibility in heeding long-time user preferences while rolling out its vision for the future desktop.

Adjust Privacy Settings to Prevent Excess Data Collection​

If there’s one area where Windows 11’s defaults are particularly controversial, it’s in data collection and telemetry. Out of the box, Windows 11 collects diagnostic data, uses your advertising ID to personalize app ads, and may leverage diagnostic data for “tailored experiences,” such as recommendations and targeted notifications.
For users who prioritize privacy and data sovereignty, heading straight to Settings > Privacy & Security > General offers ways to clamp down on data collection:

• Disable Personalized Ads: Switch off the option that lets apps use your advertising ID for personalized ads. This will not change the number of ads you see, but it reduces data usage for targeting purposes.
• Limit Diagnostic Data: While sending minimal telemetry is non-negotiable (for updates and security), you can turn off “Optional Diagnostic Data,” which otherwise collects additional data such as web browsing activity and enhanced error reports.
• Decline Tailored Experiences: Under Diagnostics & Feedback, switch off the tailoring of experiences, which prevents Microsoft from using diagnostic data to further personalize ads, tips, and recommendations.

Real World Impact: Privacy Fears Justified?​

Independent scrutiny by privacy groups confirms that Windows 11, much like its predecessor, sweeps up considerable telemetry by default. Microsoft claims this data is anonymized and essential for bug fixes, but the granularity—especially in the “optional” category—has prompted concern among watchdogs and privacy advocates.
Disabling these features doesn’t mean you are entirely opaque to Microsoft, but it does minimize the breadth of individually attributable data.

Caution: What You Cannot Block​

There are certain telemetry channels that remain impossible to deactivate without resorting to enterprise management tools or unofficial registry hacks. Power users who want absolute minimal telemetry may need to use Windows LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) editions or rely on third-party firewall tools, though doing so can hinder system updates and security patching.

Why These Windows 11 Settings Matter: An Analysis​

Customizing these five settings delivers instant and long-term benefits. Here’s why each one matters, both for everyday productivity and long-term security:

Setting	Productivity Impact	Privacy/Security Impact	Annoyance Factor
Default browser/apps	Compound time savings	Avoids Microsoft profiling	High
Notifications	Maintains focus	Reduces app data churn	High
Copilot/Widget removal	Removes distractions	Limits data to Microsoft AI	Medium
News Widget off	Taskbar clarity	Avoids MSN ad engagement	Medium
Privacy settings	User data minimization	Curtails targeted ads/data	Very High

Adjusting these configurations is both a personal productivity move and a digital hygiene ritual.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Default Windows 11 Setup​

Strengths:

• Windows 11 offers a visually appealing, streamlined interface right out of the box.
• Fast boot times and improved app compatibility support a smoother onboarding experience.
• Microsoft has increasingly made privacy and personalization settings more accessible, without the need for command line or registry editing.

Weaknesses:

• The OS’s default telemetry is more aggressive than many users realize.
• Default inclusion of MSN news, Copilot, and Edge as the unrivaled browser can feel intrusive.
• Persistent advertising IDs and notification sprawl risk undermining both privacy and productivity.

Essential Tweaks for Every New PC: Practical Instructions​

To help readers act quickly, here’s a consolidated, step-by-step checklist for tuning a new Windows 11 device:

• Change Default Browser and Apps
• Open Settings > Apps > Default Apps
• Pick your preferred browser, set as default.
• Adjust defaults for media and document viewers.
• Cull Excessive Notifications
• Go to Settings > System > Notifications
• Turn off notifications for non-essential apps.
• Disable Windows “tips and suggestions” under Additional Settings.
• Remove Copilot
• Right-click the Copilot taskbar icon, choose unpin.
• Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps to uninstall.
• Rebind any hardware Copilot keys using Microsoft PowerToys.
• Disable News Widget and Adjust Start Menu
• Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
• Toggle off 'Widgets'.
• Under Taskbar Alignment, select ‘Left’ for the classic Start button position.
• Crank Down Data Collection
• Visit Settings > Privacy & Security > General
• Disable personalized ads and restrict diagnostic data.
• Turn off tailored experiences.

Final Thoughts: Taking Command of Your Windows Experience​

Windows 11 is a mature, powerful operating system with robust support for productivity and gaming alike. Yet, its default configuration is often at odds with the instincts and priorities of privacy-conscious power users and anyone seeking a distraction-free workflow. By adjusting just these five settings, you immediately regain autonomy, minimize digital noise, and steer the OS towards your actual needs—not the ones Microsoft assumes by default.
Veteran users know that every major Windows update is a nudge to re-review these controls. But with the growing accessibility of customization switches and a more transparent settings interface, making Windows 11 yours is simpler and faster than ever before. Take these steps every time you set up a new PC, and every session afterward will feel genuinely fresh—less clutter, more focus, and vastly improved digital privacy.
For those looking to take it further, consider exploring advanced telemetry controls, using privacy-focused Windows distributions, or employing utilities that help audit and lock down background processes. In a world of ever-evolving operating systems, making your own choices is the ultimate edge.

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Source: Pocket-lint https://www.pocket-lint.com/windows-11-settings-to-change/