Windows 10: The best hidden features, tips, and tricks

Now that Windows 10 is out and millions of people are already running it, let’s take a look at some of the best hidden features, tips, and tricks in the operating system. If you’re still on the fence, take note: You really do want Windows 10, despite a lot of the gripes we’ve shared over the past several months. It’s worth getting on the list for (or downloading the Windows 10 ISO directly). It combines the best of Windows 8 — super-fast startup, improved security — with much of what made Windows 7 familiar and easy to use, and without trying to force you to buy a touch screen or learn a whole set of hidden UI gestures.

The Coolest Windows 10 Features Microsoft Didn't Announce

Microsoft unveiled its newest version of Windows last week. While the company was more than happy to tell us abouta bunch of new features, naturally they left a few out. Here are some of the best things we found while poking around with the new OS.

If you want to try out the Technical Preview right now, you can read our guide here. Keep in mind, though, that this software can and will change before it finally reaches consumers. Microsoft will probably add more features to the list and even the ones we talk about here may be changed (or removed!) before it's released to the public, so don't take these as a promise from Microsoft. They are pretty cool, however.

Fine tune the Windows 7 Search Index for better performance

Takeaway: In this edition of the Windows Desktop Report, Greg Shultz shows you how to delve in and begin tuning the Windows 7 Search Index.

In the article, Take advantage of Search filters in Windows Explorer, I showed you how to use and take advantage of the Search filters built into the Windows 7 Explorer Search Box and in the article Tag your files for easier searches in Windows 7, I showed you how to Tag your files in Microsoft Windows 7 using tools built into Windows Explorer. After both of those articles were published, I received email from readers wondering about how the Search Index in Windows 7 works and if it were possible to customize it.

Unlock a new logon screen:

1. Open the Registry Editor as you did above.
2. On the right side left click or tap to open the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” folder.
3. In the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” folder left click or tap on “SOFTWARE” folder.
4. In the “SOFTWARE” folder left click or tap on the “Microsoft” folder.
5. In the “Microsoft” folder left click to open “Windows” folder.
6. In the “Windows” folder left click to open “CurrentVersion” folder.
7. In the “CurrentVersion” folder left click to open “Authentification” folder.
8. In “Authentification” folder left click on the “LogonUI” folder.
9. In the “LogonUI” folder left click to open “TestHooks” folder.
10. Now on the right side double click on the “Treshold” key.
11. Change the value for that key to “1”.
12. Save the changes and reboot the operating system and you are done.