Windows Hacks

Better Windows Search Performance

Disable web search in the start menu to make the Windows search faster and  more effective:

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Search.
3. Right-click to create a new DWWORD (32-bit).
4. Name the new DWORD "BingSearchEnabled".
5. Make sure that the value of the new DWORD is 0.

Creating Symlinks in Windows

A symbolic link is a file that points to a target file or a target directory. The symbolic link is a second file that exists independently of its target. If a symbolic link is deleted, its target remains unaffected.

1. Open the Windows command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to add a symlink.
2. Enter an mklink command if the target is a file. If the target is a folder, add the option /D

   mklink /D name_of_new_symlink relative_path_to_target_folder
   

   Example:
   
3. Check if the symlink is set correctly.

Using Symlinks in Git

To use symlinks in git, activate Developer Mode in Windows:

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing Win+I.
2. From there, go to Privacy and Security.
3. Select the For Developers page.
4. Enable the Developer Mode toggle.
5. Save the setting by clicking Yes.

Switching Between Keyboards

• Goal: Switch between German and Japanese keyboard.
• Prerequisites: The language(s) must be installed on Windows:
  1. Select Start , then select Settings  > Time & language  > Language.
  2. Click Add language and select Japanese.
  3. Wait until the language is installed. The language (and keyboard) can now be selected in the Windows task bar.
• Hotkey: [Windows] + [Spacebar] - activates the next keyboard language or layout.