1. Stop Web Results in the Start Menu

The default Windows Start menu search is notoriously slow due to its integration with online web results. This clutters your search with irrelevant internet links and adds unnecessary latency. By modifying the Registry, you can force the Start menu to search only local files and applications, delivering instant, precise results.

A quick restart of your PC or the Explorer process (via Task Manager) will apply this change. You'll immediately notice the difference in search speed and accuracy.

2. Enable "End Task" on the Taskbar

Dealing with unresponsive applications used to mean a trip to Task Manager. Windows 11 now offers a direct, instantaneous solution: the "End Task" option, accessible directly from the taskbar. This ensures a complete termination of the application, preventing background processes from lingering.

• Navigate to Settings > System > For Developers.
• Locate and toggle the End Task switch to On.

Now, when an application freezes or misbehaves, simply right-click its icon on the taskbar and select End Task to completely shut it down without opening Task Manager.

3. Aggressive Start Menu Customization

The "Recommended" section of the Start menu, often filled with recently opened files or suggested apps, is frequently unproductive. Reclaim this valuable screen real estate for your own pinned applications and a cleaner user interface:

1. Right-click any empty space in the Start menu and choose Start Settings.
2. Under "Start layout," change the setting to "More pins" to minimize the "Recommended" section.
3. For a truly minimalist and private experience, toggle off "Show recently added apps" and "Show most used apps."

This transforms your Start menu from a cluttered "discovery feed" into a highly efficient, personalized application launcher.

4. Disable "Fast Startup" for System Stability

While intended to speed up boot times, "Fast Startup" (a hybrid shutdown/hibernation mode) can inadvertently lead to system instability. It prevents a full system reset, allowing minor bugs, driver issues, or memory leaks to persist across reboots. Disabling it guarantees a completely fresh system state upon every startup, which is critical for long-term stability.

To disable this feature:

• Open Control Panel, then navigate to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
• Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable."
• Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended).

On modern SSDs, the slight increase in boot time (often just 1-3 seconds) is a small price to pay for a consistently stable and bug-free computing experience.