Windows 10 Creator Edition–Only Allow Apps From Store

Windows 10 Creator Edition includes an option to only allow applications to only be installed from the app store.  Under Settings –> Apps –> Apps and Features,  Use the drop-down dialog box to set the parameter for installing applications.

If the parameter is set to only use the app store and a “normal” application is attempted to be executed, a dialog box will appear.

This includes portable applications or any .EXE program.

If the parameter is set to warn, a new button is available when the dialog box appears.

Night Light within Windows 10 Creator Edition

Windows 10 Creator Edition includes a new “Night Light” feature, which is designed to allow reduce eyestrain.  The option can be enabled via Settings –> System –> Display.  A link to additional settings is available as well.

The feature can also be found via the Action Center.

Using Storage Sense to automatically purge files within Windows 10 Creator edition

Within Windows 10 Creator edition, a new feature is available to automatically purge files to free up disk space.  Access Settings and then the System section.  Click on Storage within the left hand column.  To the right, an option to enable Storage Sense should be present.

To view the parameters of the feature, click on the “Change how we free up space” link.

Stop Windows 10 From Automatically Updating Hardware Drivers

To configure Windows 10 to not automatically update hardware drivers, use the following Registry hack.  Note that driver updates may be bundled with security updates or feature updates, so this modification may not be 100% effective.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

Certain versions of Windows 10 may allow the parameter to be set via the Local Group Policy.  Use the command “gpedit.msc” to launch the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update

Find the entry “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates” and enable the policy.

Where to disable ads within Windows 10 Creator edition

To disable ads within Windows 10 Creator edition, verify the parameters at the following areas.

Lock Screen

Start

Windows Explorer

Share

Notifications