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Anyone still using a tweaking software? Back when I started using Windows, I used programs to tweak the hell out of the system.
The programs allowed me to make a lot of changes in a matter of seconds, something that would have taken a lot longer if I would have used the Registry for that.
In recent time though, coinciding with the introduction of Windows 7, I have more or less stopped using those programs. While I'm not entirely sure why, it likely has something to do with the near perfect state the operating system ships in.
Anyway, tweak software is still popular, and if you are looking for a program to modify Windows 8, then you may like what Ultimate Windows Tweaker has to offer.
The free program has originally been designed for Windows 7, but is now also compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
You can run the program straight away after you have downloaded and unpacked it. The application displays system information on start, and you need to use the left sidebar to access the customization categories that it makes available.
A total of seven groups are listed here, each with an impressive set of tweaks of which most can be enabled or disabled with a single mouse click. Lets take a look at the tweaks offered by the application:
The first batch of customizations change File Explorer, the Modern UI or Taskbar features. While you can enable most manually as well, for instance by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting properties, it is easier to use the program for that if you need to make many modifications.
Taskbar
File Explorer
Modern UI
Additional
This group of tweaks customizes user account related preferences.
This list of tweaks aims to improve the performance of the system. Especially interesting here in my opinion is the option to turn off the automatic folder view discovery feature.
This batch of preferences handles what users may or may not run on the system, among other things. You can also use them to enable these again, for instance after a virus attack.
Primary
Explorer and Taskbar
Windows
Internet Explorer related tweaks and settings.
A list of miscellaneous tweaks for Windows 8.
The program comes with an option to create a System Restore check point, and an option to restore all values to default. It is highly recommended to create a new recovery point before you start to modify settings made available by the program.
The tweaking software can especially be useful to users who do not know where those changes can be made directly. It may also be handy to run after a new installation to go through all menus in one go and configure the operating system to your needs or likes.
Now Read: Overview of Windows tweaking software
AdvertisementGhacks is a technology news blog that was founded in 2005 by Martin Brinkmann. It has since then become one of the most popular tech news sites on the Internet with five authors and regular contributions from freelance writers.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for the write-up. But I think you used the old version 2.2 of UWT for Windows 7 as a result of which you were unable to access the IE settings. The screenshots displayed too are of the earlier version. Have a look at the latest screen shots here http://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-3-windows-8 or here http://www.thewindowsclub.com/images-gallery-ultimate-windows-tweaker-windows-8.
You may of course, delete this comment, if you wish, after you read it.
:)
Right, I have modified the article to reflect that. Thanks for letting me know.
Awesome…!
Hi, I recently used this program on win7 to remove the shortcut arrows but this did not work.
When i Made the corporate image for Win7 I did check out a lot of tweaking utils, for some branding issues and things I was not quite happy with to let loose on a such diverse “client environment” as ours, ranging from “dumb users” to heavy programmers.
IF I would be using W8.1, I would definitely search for tweaking programs, Coz even though things are moving in the UI, imho it is in the wrong direction for a desktop OS. Notice the lack of G in UI
UWT3 is for Windows 8, 8.1 only. For Windows 7, Vista you have to use UWT2.
I have been using it for years in Windows 7. Works great!
Interesting post and an application that might be worth a look.
Still, ever since I’ve begun using StartIsBack+ with my Windows 8.1 laptop, I haven’t needed more customization options. This start-button replacement allows for some excellent configuration already, so an additional tweaking software is probably unnecessary.
Oh, I don’t suppose you can set separate font-colors for the title- and task-bars with this application, right? That’s one of the most annoying bugs (most likely intended as a feature) in Windows 8, as it severely limits the use of very light/dark colors in themes.
No it is not possible.
hello
ultimate windows tweaker is great but i was a bit troubled when i tested all the windows club softwares on virus total and see that some of them were detected as infected (by several antiviruses). UWT7 was clean though
Rest assured that if warnings are found, they are false positives. TWC freeware does not include any adware.
I’ll have to play with this. One thing I loved about windows xp and prior was the tweakui tool put out by microsoft.
I am missing an option to uninstall Metro completely.
BTW, ALL VIP executives working on Windows 7, the disastrous Windows 8, Surface RT/Pro with dancing tiles , Office with the horrible ribbon, at Microsoft, have been kicked out. Not a single VIP executive remained with Windows project.
More Microsoft exec departures mark end of a Windows era
With Jon DeVaan and Grant George officially retired and most of rest of Windows 8 team out to pasture, Microsoft silently acknowledges complete lack of faith in Windows 8
The first to be kicked is of course is Ballmer.
Steve Sinofsky jumped ship a year ago.
Kurt DelBene, president of the Office division, retired.
Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment division,retired,
Grant George retired
Larson-Green and Jensen Harris “inventors” of ribbon and tiles have been buried in corporate nowhere land.
Antoine Leblond of the original Office 95-2007/Windows 7-8 inner circle is missing.
and the list goes on….
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/more-microsoft-exec-departures-mark-end-of-windows-era-233279