Podcast Summary: Hands-On Windows 139: Customize Windows 11 with Wintoys

Podcast Information:

• Title: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
• Host/Author: TWiT
• Episode: Hands-On Windows 139: Customize Windows 11 with Wintoys
• Release Date: May 8, 2025

Overview: In this episode of Hands-On Windows, host Paul Throt delves into the world of Windows customization by exploring Wintoys, a third-party utility designed to tweak and enhance the Windows 11 experience. Paul shares his extensive experience over the past year searching for the ultimate Windows utility and discusses why Wintoys stands out as a near-perfect solution for customizing the operating system.

1. Introduction to Wintoys

Paul Throt kicks off the discussion by introducing Wintoys, describing it as a comprehensive Windows 11 tweak utility that he believes is the closest to perfection among similar tools. He emphasizes that while not entirely flawless, Wintoys offers a robust set of features that enhance the user experience by allowing deep customization of Windows settings.

Notable Quote:

“I've spent much of the past year looking for the ultimate Windows utility, and I might have just found it.” [00:00]

2. Installation and Interface

Paul explains that Wintoys is readily available for free on the Microsoft Store. He provides guidance on how to locate and install the application, noting its modern, Windows 11-style interface that seamlessly integrates with the system's aesthetics. Paul appreciates the app’s design, likening it to something Microsoft might include natively in future Windows updates.

Notable Quote:

“It looks like something, honestly, that Microsoft might include with Windows. I wish.” [01:44]

3. Features Overview

Wintoys encompasses a wide array of functionalities, many of which mirror existing settings within Windows 11. Paul points out that while some features overlap with Microsoft’s built-in Settings app and PowerToys, Wintoys consolidates these tweaks into a single, user-friendly interface. This consolidation simplifies the customization process, making advanced settings more accessible.

Notable Quote:

“There's not a lot of overlap, honestly. This is more along the lines of that, you know, tweak the UI, tweak the way things work in the background.” [01:44]

4. Tweaks Area Deep Dive

The heart of Wintoys lies in its Tweaks section, where Paul spends considerable time exploring its extensive capabilities. He highlights several key features, including:

• Wallpaper Quality Slider: A unique feature allowing users to adjust the wallpaper resolution beyond default settings.

  Quote:

  “I've actually bumped this up to 100%. So whatever images you're displaying in the background... why not make that look as good as it can look?” [06:30]

• Start Menu Customizations: Options to disable unwanted account notifications and streamline the start menu experience.

• File Explorer Enhancements: Paul praises the ability to revert to the classic version of File Explorer, enhancing performance and reducing UI clutter.

  Quote:

  “I've enabled it. I've been running this for about three weeks reliably. It's been working great.” [05:10]

5. Privacy Settings

Wintoys offers comprehensive privacy controls, allowing users to manage settings that are typically scattered across various sections of Windows. Paul appreciates the centralized approach, making it easier to enable or disable features like location tracking and telemetry without navigating through multiple menus.

Notable Quote:

“Privacy is also a big one... All of these settings are actually in the Settings app for the most part, all but one. But they're all over the place and you have to know where to dive in and out to find these things.” [08:33]

6. File Explorer Optimization

One of the standout features Paul discusses is the ability to switch to the classic File Explorer interface. He shares his frustration with the modern UI's performance issues and how reverting to the classic version has significantly improved his workflow by reducing load times and enhancing responsiveness.

Notable Quote:

“But I've been running this for about three weeks and... it's been working great. So that for me has been kind of a game changer.” [06:50]

7. EU-Specific Features: Digital Markets Act

Wintoys includes features compliant with the Digital Markets Act, providing additional customization options for users within the European Union and European Economic Area. Paul highlights the ability to uninstall Microsoft Edge and choose alternative browsers, a feature typically restricted outside these regions.

Notable Quote:

“You could uninstall Microsoft Edge. If you absolutely never want to run this thing... this app gives you a capability that gives you the capability to do even if you don't live within the EU.” [08:33]

8. Additional Enhancements

Paul touches on other useful features within Wintoys, such as:

• Spotlight Image Downloads: Allowing users to download and set Windows Spotlight images as desktop wallpapers.

  Quote:

  “Spotlight images... this allows you to actually get those images and download them to your computer.” [08:33]

• Quick End Task Option: A new right-click option in applications like Notepad for quickly ending tasks without navigating through Task Manager.

9. Personal Insights and Conclusions

Paul concludes by sharing his personal experience with Wintoys, noting its stability and the seamless way it maintains custom settings even after Windows updates. He appreciates the app's ability to centralize and simplify the customization process, reducing the need to manually tweak settings through the registry or multiple system menus.

Notable Quote:

“This has been kind of a game changer for me. I would say the only thing that this app is missing is a way for it to monitor your system and prompt you if you install an update that changes one of those things back.” [08:33]

He recommends Wintoys to listeners looking to tailor their Windows 11 experience, highlighting its comprehensive feature set and user-friendly interface as major advantages.

Final Quote:

“This is something to check out if you want Windows to work the way you want it to work.” [08:33]

Conclusion: In this episode, Paul Throt provides an in-depth review of Wintoys, positioning it as a powerful tool for Windows 11 enthusiasts seeking extensive customization options. By consolidating various tweakable settings into a single application with a modern interface, Wintoys simplifies the process of tailoring the operating system to individual preferences. Paul's detailed exploration and personal endorsement make this episode a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their Windows 11 experience.