Turn Windows features on or off

In Windows 10, in the 'Programs and Features' settings, you'll see an option to 'Turn Windows features on or off'. Many of these features should only be enabled as you need them in order to avoid needlessly slowing down system performance.

One of the more interesting features is 'Windows Subsystem for Linux' which you can use to run Linux software. Of more practical importance for the litigation support professional are those under 'Print and Document Services'. These are necessary for printing on a network using certain protocols. If you want to connect a phone line to your PC and use it to send faxes, you'll need to check off 'Windows Fax and Scan'. The 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature is very handy and will let you convert any document to a PDF file.

I have noticed that a few websites still work better using Internet Explorer. So while Microsoft no longer supports it, you can enable it here if you really need it.

There's also an option to enable version 2.0 of PowerShell. Scripts written for this version are not backward compatible with the newer versions of PowerShell, the latest being PowerShell 7.

Don't Let Windows AutoPlay

Be sure that your Windows operating system is not set to automatically run files found on flash drives, memory cards, smartphones, and tablets. The files on these devices may install unwanted malware without warning.

In order to ensure that the autoplay setting is not enabled, search for 'autoplay' in Windows, and bring up this dialog box.

Set not only 'Use AutoPlay for all media and devices' to OFF, but also set the defaults for external drives; memory cards; smartphones; and tablets to 'Take no action'.

It's a bad idea to have your OS set to run external media automatically, no matter how convenient it might be.

Recording System Only Audio in Windows 10

You can record system audio using a freely available app from the Microsoft Store without also getting sound recorded from a PC's microphone.

1. Download and install Windows Voice Recorder from the Microsoft Store, available here.

2. In Win 10 search for 'Sound settings', and in the Related Settings section, click on 'Sound Control Panel'.

3. On the Recording tab enable 'Stereo Mix' and set it as the default recording option.

4. Disable the Microphone.

5. Be sure to apply your changes and click OK.

6. If you have multiple speakers (or even a second monitor with its own audio system) confirm that the speakers enabled on the Playback tab of the Sound settings, match those on the Recording tab.

7. Voice Recorder mic settings are accessed by clicking on the three dot menu at the lower right.

8. After clicking on 'Microphone settings', scroll down to the section entitled 'Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone' You should see the microphone setting for the Voice Recorder app set to the ON position, even though the mic has been disabled.

7. Simply click on the big microphone icon in Voice Recorder to begin recording system only audio - only the audio played by the PC. The mic will not pick up any background noise in your room.