STEP 1. Install FireFox

Most of downloading-related screenshots in this tutorial were made in assumption that you are using Firefox web browser. You may skip this step if you know what you are doing, but I highly recommend to avoid using MS Internet Explorer or Edge and Google Chrome for browsing Internet on your rig computers. So, please, install Firefox first, just follow this short how-to.

STEP 2. Get Rigutils scripts

Many tuning steps presented in this tutorial could be carried out either manually, using GUI, or by executing corresponding bat scripts. I prefer the second way, so I would recommend to start your Windows tuning steps by installing Rigutils first.

STEP 3. Disable User Access Control

Here is a short how-to disable User Access Control (UAC). Reboot will be required.

STEP 4. Stop automatic Windows update

This is a most dangerous feature of Windows. You have to disable it as soon as possible. Here is how-to stop Windows update once and for all.

STEP 5. Configure firewall

Protect your rig from potential network threats by configuring Windows Firewall rules.

STEP 6. Restore network connection

Just plug Ethernet cable back to your PC.

STEP 7. Disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry service

Do you want to report every action you take to Miscrosoft data center? I suppose that you may happily live without this feature. Follow steps described in this how-to to shut up Windows Telemetry service.

STEP 8. Tweak UI settings

I prefer minimalist style for my desktop. Small Quicklaunch buttons, no stupid icons and grouping windows. It's a mining rig not an entertaining center finally. See what you can do in this Tweking UI tutorial

STEP.1. Disable Cortana search service