Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) User Interface reacts slow or not

[BambiBoomZ]

CinéMatica,

I may have missed it, but what version is the BIOS on your system?

I'm still looking into the method to remove Edge and Cortana.  MS has made the process of removing Edge nearly impossible as I learned when I tried to make Firefox my default browser- and Win 10 refused to allow it.

I've read a number of methods and given how deeply MS wishes to prohibit it- reminiscent of the lawsuits over the early Internet Explorer that if removed would prevent Windows from running, the following method seems to make the most sense:

https://www.wintips.org/how-to-completely-remove-edge-browser-from-windows-10

It's far from fast and simple, but is also reversible.

As for Cortana, when I was setting up the new laptop, I simply disabled in Setup.  I will look again for doing it retroactively.

The idea to reload windows is a good one. It's possible that the generic refurbisher's version will install generic drivers:  and for that reason, consider obtaining the HP OEM  version.  I still use the original HP recovery disks (Windows 7 Pro 64-bit) that arrived with the z420 and z620 and these systems have been redone more than once.  When the OEM version is fully updated, I've had really no OS problems.  When I added an HP RAID controller (LSI  9212-4) to my previous z420, the system immediately recognized it and ran it. 

Since this thread started, two friends have called me in a panic that their long-time Win 10 systems are barely running- almost impossible to use.  I'm wondering if there is some recent extreme security update that is affecting older hardware. 

BambiBoomZ 

[CinéMatica]

Hi BambiBoomZ,

The BIOS version on my system is M60 v02.50. It looks like this is the latest one, released on November 12, 2019.

It came with a MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher) license already installed. I have no physical media that came with the tower. Is there a place where can I download a HP OEM copy Windows 10 Pro 64-bit?

Are your two friends experiencing the same slowness as I do?

It seems that I do not have Cortana. I have it in my settings, but I cannot change anything. It says there is no language installed. I also found this info on this HP knowledge base page: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04740515

HP Workstations

Windows 10 feature expectations

The following computer models have BIOS and UEFI upgrades available that support advanced Windows 10 features:

• HP Z1 G2 Workstation
• HP Z220 CMT Workstation
• HP Z220 SFF Workstation
• HP Z228 Workstation
• HP Z230 Tower Workstation
• HP Z230 SFF Workstation
• HP Z420 Workstation
• HP Z440 Workstation
• HP Z620 Workstation
• HP Z640 Workstation
• HP Z820 Workstation
• HP Z840 Workstation

NOTE: 

A clean (custom) installation is especially important for these computers if they currently have MBR partitioning, to create the necessary GPT partitioning that enables these features.

NOTE: 

HP releases new BIOS versions regularly. New BIOS versions can be obtained from HP Customer Support.

The following Windows 10 features require UEFI or GPT disk formatting:

• Secure Boot
• TPM SmartCard
• BitLocker Network Unlock
• Seamless Boot
• Fast Boot
• Boot config from within Windows 10
• Windows To Go
• TPM 2.0 (HP Z440, Z640, Z840 workstations only)
• eDrives
• Attestation
• Measured Boot

Additional Windows 10 features

The following Windows 10 features are either not supported or have not been tested on desktop workstations due to hardware and/or driver restrictions that shipped with the systems listed in the table above:

• Cortana
• Windows Hello
• Fingerprint Authentication
• Direct Inking
• WiGig Docking
• Precision Touchpad
• WDDM v2.0
• Sensors
• USB 3.1 Type-C
• Continuum
• Wireless Display (Miracast)

Thanks again for you help. Friendly greetings!