**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** 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 [[windows:software:firefox|how-to]].

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** 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 [[windows:rigutils:install|installing]] Rigutils first.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** Disable User Access Control

Here is a short [[windows:tuning:disable_uac|how-to disable]] User Access Control (UAC). Reboot will be required.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** Stop automatic Windows update

This is a most dangerous feature of Windows. You have to disable it as soon as possible. Here is [[windows:tuning:block_windows_update|how-to stop Windows update]] once and for all.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** Configure firewall

Protect your rig from potential network threats by configuring [[windows:tuning:firewall_configure|Windows Firewall]] rules.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** Restore network connection

Just plug Ethernet cable back to your PC.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** 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 [[windows:tuning:shutup_telemetry|how-to]] to shut up Windows Telemetry service.

**STEP ~~#TUNE~~.** 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 [[windows:tuning:tweak_ui|Tweking UI tutorial]]

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**~~STEP.#~~.** Disable Cortana search service