This is an archive of the original TweakGuides website, with post-archival notes added in purple text. See here for more details.
The TweakGuides Tweaking Companion (TGTC) is the complete system customization and optimization guide for all Windows users. Designed for novice and advanced users alike, it is written in plain English to help you genuinely understand all key aspects of Windows and your PC. The guide covers every major topic, from the correct installation of critical drivers and software, through to simple explanations and recommendations for every significant Windows setting and feature, all the major performance and convenience tweaks and customizations, as well as detailed troubleshooting advice. Also provided are links and instructions for a large number of reliable free applications that can enhance your system and give you viable alternatives to purchasing commercial software.
AUGUST 2019 UPDATE: Given it's been some time since the TGTC was updated, and sales of the Deluxe Edition have dwindled into insignificance, I've decided to release the full Deluxe Editions of these books for free, and you are welcome to redistribute them however you wish (HTTP, FTP, Torrent, etc.). The Windows 8 version in particular still contains a great deal of potentially useful information for users of both Windows 8 and Windows 10. To further maximize their possible usefulness, I've made their contents available under a CC BY 4.0 License (see further below). This means that you can modify and redistribute them, even for commercial purposes, as long as you provide clear attribution and indicate the changes made. Thank you to all of the people who generously purchased a copy of the Deluxe Edition, your support helped to ensure the survival of this site during difficult times.
A TweakGuides Tweaking Companion for Windows 10 will not be released as explained here. Aside from interface changes, Windows 10 is largely similar to Windows 8.1 in terms of features and tweaks, so I recommend that you use the TGTC for Windows 8, combined with the Windows-10 specific tips and tweaks starting on Page 12 of the Hardware Confusion 2019 article.
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Version: 2.0 Last Updated: 1 June 2013 Pages: 595 Size: 38.0 MB Cost: Free |
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Usage Instructions
Once downloaded, first extract the PDF file from the .ZIP archive using the built-in Windows compression utility, or the free 7-Zip utility. Any PDF reader software can be used to view the PDF file, including most popular web browsers. The files above are guaranteed not to be corrupt or contain any malware. If you have any issues viewing them, the best solution is to update your PDF reader software or try alternative PDF viewers. Also disable any download managers when attempting to download the file.
License
This work is now being released for free by the author under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution International (CC BY 4.0) license. In plain English, this means that:
YOU ARE FREE TO: share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format; adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
UNDER THE FOLLOWING TERMS: Attribution - You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, or include a copy of it, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions - You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
While all of the PDFs contain copyable text, I can provide the original source documents for the Windows 7 and Windows 8 versions of the TGTC in .DOCX format to make things easier. Download them from the following links:
Windows 7 Deluxe Source Document (Word for Windows 2010 .DOCX Format)
Windows 8 Deluxe Source Document (Word for Windows 2010 .DOCX Format)
Edit: For completion sake, I will also provide download links for the cut-down versions of the TGTCs that were formerly the free versions:
Problems and Technical Support
These books are provided 'as is', and I cannot provide any technical support. It simply isn't viable or appropriate for me to do so, so under no circumstances will I provide personalized optimization, customization or purchasing advice/feedback, or any other form of technical support related to the information in these books.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.