• Disable File-sharing updates

  Settings (Win+I) > Update & security > Advanced options > Choose how updates are delivered > Off

  

• Disable annoying notifications

  Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Off

  

• Disable Start Menu ads

  Settings > Personalization > Start > Occasionally show suggestions in Start

  

• Disable targeted ads from third-party apps

  Settings > Privacy > General > Let my apps use my advertising ID for experiences across apps

  

• Disable Cortana “Getting to know you”

  Settings > Privacy > Speech, inking, & typing and clicking Stop getting to know me

  

• Disable Apps running in the background

  Settings > Privacy > Background apps

  

• Disable syncing especially search history

Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings

 

• Disable Cortana

Cortana > Settings > My device history and My search history

 

• Disable visual effects

  Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Advanced > Performance Settings