Fallout 4 Beautification Project

TWEAKS & SETTINGS

The following changes are absolutely necessary for Fallout 4 to work properly with mods installed. If you start modding Fallout 4 before making these changes, the game will most likely not make it past the main-menu before crashing.

With the exception of number 4 and 5, these changes are absolutely necessary for Fallout 4 to work with mods installed.

1: Drivers Settings
2: INI Settings
3: Load-Order
4: Texture Compression (Optional, but highly recommended)
5: Windows (Optional)

1: DRIVER SETTINGS

In order for the ENB to work properly, the games own anti aliasing MUST be disabled.
Open the nVidia Control Panel, go to "Manage 3D settings" and choose "Program Settings" and find Fallout 4.

Set the following parameters:

Absolutely necessary:
Anti aliasing - FXAA	Off
Anti aliasing - Gamma correction	Off
Anti aliasing - Mode	Off
Anti aliasing - Transparency	Off
Recommended:
Threaded Optimization	On *ONLY if you have a multi-core CPU
Vertical sync	On

The ENB uses it's own anti aliasing. Enabling the drivers AA at the same time will result in weird errors like flickering textures, stutter, incorrect brightness and missing effects.

*If you use AMD/Intel graphic card, use Google to find out how to apply similar settings.

2: INI SETTINGS

Some mods require certain settings in "Fallout4.ini", "Fallout4Custom.ini" and "Fallout4Prefs.ini".
*The files are usually located here: "C:\Users\(USERNAME)\Documents\My Games\Fallout4\"

Fallout4.ini
Open the file with notepad and add/change the following lines:

[General]   *Add this only if you have a multi-core CPU
bUseThreadedBlood=1
bUseThreadedMorpher=1
bUseThreadedTempEffects=1
bUseThreadedParticleSystem=1
bUseThreadedAI=1
bUseMultiThreadedFaceGen=1
bUseMultiThreadedTrees=1

[General]   *Needed for the mod, Ultra Quality God Rays Performance Fix
sStartingConsoleCommand=bat godrays

[General]   *These settings will generally improve performance when using mods
uExterior Cell Buffer=64
bForceUpdateDiffuseOnly=0
bUseBackgroundFileLoader=1
bSelectivePurgeUnusedOnFastTravel=1

[General]   *Needed for a couple of mods with new locations
bBorderRegionsEnabled=0

[General]   *These are my recommended settings. Lower numbers = shorter loading times, but higher chances of degraded textures
bForceUpdateDiffuseOnly=0
iTextureUpgradeDistance1=7500
iTextureUpgradeDistance0=5000
iTextureDegradeDistance1=7500
iTextureDegradeDistance0=5000

[Display]   *Prevents a rare error with black textures at a certain angle
bComputeShaderDeferredTiledLighting=0

[Grass]   *This is only needed if you use the green vegetation mods
bAllowLoadGrass=0
bAllowCreateGrass=1
iMinGrassSize=20
iMaxGrassTypesPerTexure=15

[Interface]   *Set any FOV value you want. I prefer 90, but use any. (Default is 75)
fDefaultWorldFOV=90
fDefault1stPersonFOV=90

[Archive]   *Needed to load mods
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

[HAVOK]   *Add this only if you have a multi-core CPU
iNumThreads=5
iNumHWThreads=5

[Controls]   *Reduces mouse-lag
bMouseAcceleration=0

[Archive]   *Needed to load mods
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

Fallout4Custom.ini
Add/change the following lines:

[General] *This is only needed if you use the green vegetation mods
bUseCombinedObjects=1
bUsePreCreatedSCOL=1

[Gameplay]
fPlayerDisableSprintingLoadingCellDistance=0

Fallout4Prefs.ini
Add/change the following lines:

[Launcher]   *Needed to load mods
bEnableFileSelection=1

[Display]   *Gives better performance than true full-screen
bBorderless=1
bFull Screen=0

[Display]   *Change these numbers to match your resolution
iSize H=2160
iSize W=3840

[Display]   *These are my recommended settings. Higher/lower numbers gives shorter/longer shadow drawing distance. Details: (LINK)
fDirShadowDistance=7000
fShadowDistance=7000

[Display]   *Prevents a rare error with black textures at a certain angle
bComputeShaderDeferredTiledLighting=0

[Display]   *This should force the engine to only load high quality textures
iTexMipMapSkip=-1

[Display]   *Reduces mouse-lag
bForceIgnoreSmoothness=1

[Display]   *Needed for FallUI
uPipboyTargetHeight=1400
uPipboyTargetWidth=1752

[Camera]   *These are my recommended settings. It controls the camera distance in 3rd person view. Higher numbers = More distance
f3rdPersonAimFOV=90.0000
f1rdPersonAimFOV=90.0000
fVanityModeMaxDist=600.0000
fVanityModeMinDist=30.0000
fPitchZoomOutMaxDist=40.0000
fOverShoulderMeleeCombatAddY=-60.0000
fOverShoulderMeleeCombatPosZ=-40.0000
fOverShoulderMeleeCombatPosX=40.0000
fOverShoulderCombatAddY=0.0000
fOverShoulderCombatPosZ=-8.0000
fOverShoulderCombatPosX=40.0000
f3rdPersonAimDist=50.0000
fOverShoulderPosZ=-8.0000
fOverShoulderPosX=27.0000
f1st3rdSwitchDelay=0.0500
f3rdPersonAimDollySpeed=100.0000
bApplyCameraNodeAnimations=0

Launch the game and make sure everything works

PROCEED TO THE MOD-LIST
The rest of the tweaks & settings are for after the mods have been installed

3: LOAD-ORDER

Info: The load-order is a list that determines in which order Fallout 4 loads additional content (mods). The load-order has 255 slots which are loaded into the memory one by one in the exact order they are listed, top to bottom. If identical data appears (If two mods contain data in the same records), then the last mod (furthest down), overwrites whatever came before. Also, if a mod has references to another mod, this other mod HAS to be listed in the load-order before the mod with the dependency. If a mod is depending on something that is missing or listed later in the load-order, Fallout 4 will either not load those mods, load them with errors, or not even start. Besides dependencies, some mods also edit the same data, and the load-order dictates which data takes priority. These "conflicts" can cause all kind of errors if the mods are not placed correctly. Having a correct load-order is absolutely necessary for the game to work with mods.

If you didn't install all mods, but lets say, only installed the ones without a colored square, then you won't find all these items in your own load-order. Whenever an item is "missing", just skip it, but keep everything else in the exact same order from top to bottom.

Note: DON'T use Loot. I know it's tempting to have a program sort the whole thing, but unfortunately Loot isn't capable of sort the list correctly. You can of course start by sorting with Loot, but then you NEED to correct the load-order yourself afterwards.

CORRECT LOAD-ORDER:
Start NMM and click the "Plugins" tab. Then sort everything according to this list
*Items with red text should be unchecked (not loaded)

Fallout4.esm
DLCRobot.esm
DLCworkshop01.esm
DLCCoast.esm
DLCworkshop02.esm
DLCWorkshop03.esm
DLCNukaWorld.esm
Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch.esp
Fallout 4 Fixes.esm
Homemaker.esm
TheMarshland.esm *I recommend disabling this file until you want to use the "Marshland DLC" mod
TheSewers.esm
SettlementKeywords.esm
DLC_MainMenu.esm
ArmorKeywords.esm
AAF.esm
HUDFramework.esm
TrueStormsFO4.esm
RRTV_HardwareTown_KeyHavok.esl
RiverFix.esl
LegendaryDropBugfix.esl
UnderwaterGlassFix.esp
BusStopLighting.esl
RadioactiveSignsAIO.esl
IllumBillboardsCustomReplacer-All In One Billboards.esl
StarlightDriveInAndDiner - COOLBLUETRIM.esl
RedRocketsGlareII.esl
LMBTOverlays.esl
LMTOTribalOverlays.esl
ExtendedWeaponSystem.esm
CWSS Redux.esp
AORobcoReconScope.esl
Grim_Boosette.esl
Grim_Bowsette.esl
Grim ZeroTwo.esl
IceStormsHeavyMetalBoots.esl
FaceLight.esl
Fixed Gobo Effects.esp
InvisibleBridgeFix.esp
JP_Extra_Nav_Fix.esp
DeadlyHazardsTraps.esp
DeadlyTrapsHazards-FH.esp
GeneralAtomicsMrGutsyGuards.esp
Interview.esp
AshBeGone.esp
BarefootFootstepSet.esp
CodsworthQuestFix.esp
CompanionBugfix.esp
DangerousMindsAmariFix.esp
BedFix.esp
FlamerVATSfix.esp
moreoil.esp
Laser Weapon Sound FIX.esp
ColaCaffeineFix.esp
bleu Nuka Cola Storage Rack Fix.esp
MoveOldManStockton.esp
PlasmaImpactFix.esp
PowerArmorPaintFixes.esp
DLCFixes.esp
Vault 111 Floor Guide Fix.esp
v88EdgeMarkerFix.esp
Fix_Merge.esp
TerrainUndersides.esp
SpotlightFix-200-Shadow.esp
Mole Rat Disease Fix.esp
Search&DestroyFixed.esp
RAW INPUT.esp
WestonWaterLOD.esp
waterLODfix.esp
Autumn Overhaul.esp
CommonwealthConifersREDUX.esp
TrueGrass.esp
BurningCampfiresThatHurt.esp
ImprovedNuke.esp
More Realistic Cats.esp
Diverse Cats.esp
RadiantBirdsv05.esp
Environment_Merge.esp
NiceBush.esp
Reverb and Ambiance Overhaul.esp
Waterworld - Very Translucent.esp
SettlementMenuManager.esp
DLC_MainMenu_Handplaced.esp
DLC_PATCH_Full.esp
DLC_SKE_Patch.esp
PAMAP.esp
Armorsmith Extended.esp
ntcAppliedFactionPaints.esp
SSEX.esp
ManufacturingExtended.esp
ManufacturingExtendedFH.esp
ModularVault.esp
X13_ScrapOTron.esp
Basic Ammo Crafting.esp
ImmersiveScrapping_SeasonPass.esp
SalvageRobotParts.esp
infinite_settlement_budget.esp
DD_1x1_Foundation_Blocks.esp
BetterJunkFences.esp
AS_PowerArmorStation.esp
BetterGenerators.esp
Canned Goods Crafting.esp
cartman1975_concrete-glass.esp
Craftable Vault 81 Cure (Earned).esp
LongerPowerLines3x.esp
ImmersiveScrapping_ScrapPowerArmor.esp
Purified_Cooking.esp
PurifiedCooking_FarHarbor.esp
Crafting_Merge.esp
Eli_PlantPots.esp
BetterShackBridges.esp
SolarPower.esp
BuildAnythingInInteriors.esp
BuildAnythingInMechanistLair.esp
SettlementContainers_NoRespawn.esp
AdvSettleTurretSet-Real.esp
AkaWaterWorld.esp
CozyCouch.esp
CraftableGunsAndWeapons.esp
Ketaros_TradingCards.esp
Snappy_HouseK.esp
MakeYourOwnSynths.esp
Firelance2.5.esp *I recommend disabling this file until you want to use the "Xander's Aid - Neeher DLC" mod
SakhalinWasteland.esp *I recommend disabling this file until you want to use the "Fallout Sakhalin" mod
cat_wildlands.esp *I recommend disabling this file until you want to use the "Barrenwood" mod
JetfuelRadio.esp
OWR_CraftableDecor.esp
OWR_CraftableDecor_CW.esp
OWR.esp
RAO - OWR patch.esp
OWR2_CraftableDecor.esp
OWR2_CraftableDecor_CW.esp
OWR2.esp
Radio_Olivia_Overnight.esp
plenty 'o' exploration.esp
DWUK_LexingtonInteriors.esp
BTInteriors_Project.esp
BTITIP.esp
InsideJobs.esp
InsideJobs_UFO4P.esp
Stm_DiamondCityExpansion.esp
DiamondNewVendors.esp
WelcometoGoodneighbor.esp
aaabove daisy.esp
3DNPC_FO4.esp
AtomicRadio.esp
3DNPC_FO4_DLC.esp
3DNPC_FO4Settler.esp
3DNPC_FO4-Patch.esp
AA FusionCityRising.esp
OutcastsAndRemnants.esp
ProjectValkyrie.esp
AA 50 Ways To Die.esp
cloverfieldBunker.esp
AtomCatGarage.esp
PlaneWreck.esp
TrainBar.esp
UFOCrashSite.esp
Crna_Jezero_Hotel.esp
BasementLiving.esp
Calvin Coolidge Institute.esp
Eli_Chestnut Lodge DLC.esp
CliffCoastisland.esp
Eli_FahabaShack.esp
Forgottencove.esp
Vault4.esp
HagenEXPANDED.esp
GlowingSeaEXPANDED.esp
SalemEXPANDED.esp
SwampsEXPANDED.esp
InGameCollectibleMaps.esp
Immersive_Lexington.esp
Immersive Nahant.esp
ImmersiveBeantown.esp
ImmersiveCovenantCompound.esp
ImmersiveGunnersPlazaExterior.esp
ImmersiveGunnersPlazaInterior.esp
ImmersiveHubCityAutoWreckers.esp
ImmersiveV95.esp
bbprepatch.esp
Kellogg_House.esp
LakeIsland.esp
Eli_MarlboroughHouse.esp
MASS 2.esp
MsRae_Shops.esp
NEST_BUNKER_PROJECT.esp
Vault_111_Maintenance.esp
HighrollerOverboss.esp
Phase4DLC.esp
Eli_Sanctuary Bunker.esp
SanctuaryHotSpringHome.esp
Solace Player Home.esp
Submarine Base Echo.esp
atlanticofficesf23.esp
The Lost Vault.esp
The Metro.esp
Mansion.esp
QuazHighTechLoftOLD.esp
TWH_TheWayHome.esp
Eli_Bunker.esp
USNBOSTONWRECK-WithMarker.esp
nvvault1080.esp
Vault81DiseaseFixAndPowerArmorImmunity.esp
Cyber-Light Apartments.esp
Eli_Faction Housing Overhaul - AiO.esp
Eli_Hangman's Home.esp
Eli_Rockin Red Rocket.esp
FalloutShock apartment.esp
Eli_Crafting Shiz 9000.esp
AnimatedCandles.esp
LooksMenu.esp
LooksMirror.esp
ExtendedHairColors.esp
AzarPonytailHairstyles.esp
HairVariations_YoungAtHeart.esp
HairVariations_FairyTails.esp
HairVariations_Elegant.esp
HairVariations_Sophisticate.esp
HairVariations_Conversions.esp
Sunshine.esp
THBrows.esp
Hair_Merge.esp
MiscHairstyle.esp
KSHairdos.esp
KSHairdos_oel.esp
CBBE.esp
M7BBP.esp
mcgFemaleWalk.esp
mcgFemaleWalk-Granny-eng.esp
mcgFemaleWalk-Granny-ru.esp
FO4HHS_AAF.esp
HHFootsteps.esp
The Eyes Of Beauty.esp
FlirtyCommonwealthFemale.esp
LMBTOverlays.esp
RutahTattooPack_FO4.esp
Synth Overhaul.esp
Synth Overhaul - Black Patch.esp
Synth Overhaul - No level requirements Patch.esp
Synth Overhaul - White Patch.esp
dD-Action Ragdoll Force.esp
Realistic Death Physics - ALL DLC.esp
3dscopes.esp
3dscopes-robcorecon.esp
Quad_Accelerator.esp
Fusion Gun.esp
AssaultFlamer.esp
M2216.esp
CorvalhoWidowShotgun.esp
AQUILA.esp
AR70 Assault Rifle.esp
ASVektor.esp
LasEMPRifle.esp
PlasmaPulseRifle.esp
SonicBlaster.esp
Weapon_Merge.esp
PKMnv.esp
MG42.esp
m249.esp
MWM4.esp
NRAW_Common.esp
NRAW_AE4.esp
NRAW_Ameli.esp
NRAW_ARX160.esp
NRAW_Bal27.esp
NRAW_MORS.esp
SubmersiblePowerArmorRedux.esp
Institute Clean.esp
Liberty_PA.esp
standaloneconstruct.esp
Enclave Paint DLC.esp
DX_Black_Widow.esp
AsharaFO4Cyborg.esp
bTankTop.esp
Catwoman.esp
BlackRoseRedux.esp
DA Lingerie Set black.esp
Dickys Pinup Outfit.esp
Dicky_s Pinup Outfit - AE AWKCR VISG.esp
DX_FetishFashion_Part1.esp
DX_FetishFashion_Part2.esp
Grim_Boosette.esp
Grim_Bowsette.esp
Grim_Vampirella.esp
Grim ZeroTwo.esp
HN66Fo4_EasyGirl_BS.esp
HN66-SiriusArmor.esp
HACS Red Dress.esp
Friffy_Piper Outfit_Standalone.esp
Kerrigan.esp
KerriganGlasses.esp
Lacy Underwear.esp
NezzarLingerieCollection.esp
Eli_NukaStuff.esp
ShadeArmorIV.esp
slootySynthUniform.esp
slootyVaultSuit.esp
Cammy Tactical Suit.esp
TERARogue.esp
TheKite_Railroad_Handmaiden.esp
vneck.esp
ToughGirlAttire.esp
VtawUtilityPack1.esp
VtawWardrobe1.esp
VtawWardrobe4.esp
VtawWardrobe5.esp *I recommend disabling this file during play-through, and enable it for screenshots only
VtawWardrobe6.esp
VtawWidowmaker.esp
XIA Outfit.esp
TNR Shoulder Lamp.esp
TNR Shoulder Lamp - Settings.esp
PAMS.esp
BetterSettlers.esp
BetterSettlersCleanFacePack.esp
BetterSettlersMostlyFemale.esp
PopulatedDiamondCity.esp
RaiderOverhaul.esp
SuperMutantRedux.esp
SuperMutantRedux_ArmorSmithExtended.esp
Guards.esp
DCE_female_body_replacer_EasyGirl.esp
Hot Mama Bandits Gunners 04.esp
Hot Mama Bandits - Raiders 05.esp
Hot Mama Mechanist.esp
Hot Mama NPCs IX-B.esp
Hot Sanctuary.esp
Hot Mama Bandits Children of Atom 03.esp
Hot Mama Companion Piper.esp
Hot Mama Institute Courser.esp
Hot Mama Murphy.esp
Hot Mama NPCs Settlers 20.esp
Yet Another Cait.esp
Multiple Floors Sandboxing.esp
PiperCaitCurieDialogueOverhaul.esp
FO4 NPCs Travel.esp
NPCSTRAVELFIXES.esp
EFF.esp
AA HotC - Standalone WE.esp
AA HotC - Standalone - SE - WE.esp
TftC Brothel SexScenes.esp
Patch MagnoliaSex-AAF.esp
COFP.esp
Amanda.esp
Ashe.esp
Jennifer.esp
Lady Veronica.esp
LtC_MaryJane.esp
Exotic.esp
Mistress Passion.esp
CompanionJasmineWITHQUEST.esp
CompanionLauraWITHQUEST.esp
CompVex.esp
Lasers Have No Recoil.esp
Improved Jetpack Flight Model.esp
Atomic Lust.esp
ImmersiveLoversEmbraceRemastered.esp
ImmersiveLoversEmbraceMagnolia.esp
aSexMod.esp
NPC Accuracy Revised.esp
CustomCamera.esp
DV-Durable Vertibirds.esp
Faster Terminal Displays (20x).esp
Live Dismemberment - Mental.esp
Live Dismemberment - Mind-Blowing.esp
Live Dismemberment - POSTAL.esp
Live Dismemberment - Brutal.esp
Live Dismemberment - Insane-o.esp
Live Dismemberment - Liebermode.esp
Live Dismemberment - Regular.esp
Synth_Uniform_Lootable.esp
FO4 Timescale 3.esp
ITPCC.esp
MakanarWeightBase1000.esp
MakanarWeightStrength100.esp
Cel Respawn Timer 96.esp
CriticalHitsOutsideofVATS.esp
GamePlay_Merge.esp
Headshot-x10.esp
Immersive HUD.esp
RemoveBlur.esp
FO4 No Pre Vis.esp
DistantBlurRemover.esp
DistantBlurRemoverVaultTecDLC.esp
Fixed flickering puddles.esp
PuddleReflectionFix.esp
Remove Interior Fog - All Dlc.esp
Wasteland Workshop Streetlights.esp
TrueStormsFO4-FarHarbor.esp
TrueStormsFO4-FarHarborExtraRads.esp
TrueStormsFO4-NukaWorld-FH-Compat.esp

When done sorting the list, launch the game and make sure everything works
*You will most likely experience heavy lag while moving over a distance. Don't worry. The next step will fix that.
Note: If you start a new game, and the loading-screen seems to be stuck, just hit "Enter" a couple of times. This may happen because some of the mods show a splash-screen. When starting a new game, the splash-screen from mods sometimes doesn't show, even if active. This pauses the game from loading. Just hit "Enter" a couple of times, and everything will load properly.

4: TEXTURE COMPRESSION

Due to the vast amount of high resolution textures, it is highly recommended to compress the texture folder into ba2 files. Fallout 4 can read much faster from a ba2 archives, instead of loose texture files. Even if you play the game from a dedicated SSD, loading time and in-game texture streaming will be significantly faster when packed into ba2 archives.

For this, you need the latest Archiver2 tool from Bethesda. If you don't want to install the entire Creation Kit just to get this tool, download it here (LINK) instead. Unpack to anywhere you want.

Note: This step should only be performed once you have installed all the mods you want to use.

Compressing the textures:

1: Launch Archiver2

2: Go to Settings

3: Set format to: DDS (This will compress the file in a way that is faster for seeking)
4: Set Maximum Archive Size to 2000. (Larger archives will slow down texture streaming)

5: Select "Add folder"

6: Go to the Texture folder inside Fallout 4/Data, and click "Select Folder"

7: Wait till all textures are listed. (This may take a couple of seconds) Then click "Save As"

8: Go to the Data folder inside the Fallout 4 folder, choose a name (In this example "Texture_Bundle") then click "Save"
*Don't worry if you see some red lines with errors. They are actually not errors. It's just the tool indicating that a certain file won't be added to the archive. No textures will be left out. This only occur if a mod author for example left a photoshop files or forgot to remove a thumbnail.db file from a mod. Files that actually shouldn't be in texture folder anyway. Those files will be excluded, as the DDS method only allows for textures to be included.

9: Wait till the process is done, then exit Archiver2. (It will take some time)
When done, open the Data folder and see how many files the tool generated.
In this example the tool created 6 files (Texture_Bundle01.ba2, Texture_Bundle02.ba2, Texture_Bundle03.ba2 ....)

10: Add the file-names to [Archive] in Fallout4.ini
*The file is usually located here: "C:\Users\(USERNAME)\Documents\My Games\Fallout4\"
Open and edit with notepad
Find "sResourceIndexFileList=", and add the file-names after what's already there. (See image for an example)

11: Save and close.

12: The only thing left to do, is renaming the uncompressed texture folder, otherwise the game will still use the loose files, instead of the archives you just created. Go to the Data folder inside the Fallout 4 game-folder, and rename the "Textures" folder to e.g. "Textures_Backup".

If you need the space, then you can safely delete the folder instead, as you can always extract the files again from the archives. Just note that whenever you want to add, remove or update a mod that contains loose texture files, then you will have to do the process again. Adding/removing mods will be a lot faster if you already have the unpacked textures in a backup folder.

That's it. The game will now be able to load textures significantly faster, which should eliminate any stutter or persistent low-res textures.

Note: You can also pack other files than textures, but that will not help performance. This may in fact have the opposite effect.

The game is now fully modded and ready for launch!
Enjoy a smooth, lag-free HD experience
*If the game is still laggy, maybe you forgot to delete/rename the Texture folder? (Number 12 above)

5: WINDOWS SETTINGS (OPTIONAL)

Having a fast and stable system is absolutely necessary to run a heavily modded game. If you have a high-end system, you should have nothing to worry about, even with all mods installed. If you have a semi-new or older medium-spec system, it will definitely be put to the test.

Optimizing Windows is a huge subject, so this isn't a detailed tutorial, but rather some suggestions on how to give your games the best possible conditions.

1: Make sure your system is virus/mal-ware free. (It's a given, but I'm writing it anyway)

2: Have as few unnecessary programs running in the background as possible.

3: Never have real-time anti-virus programs running. 99% of anti-virus software can and will significantly slow down any computer, all while doing an extraordinarily poor job at protecting against viruses. The best way to protect your computer against mal-ware and viruses, is by having a great firewall, preferably at router level, so nothing gets to the computer in the first place.

4: If you use a software firewall on your computer (Not all routers have great firewalls), then use one that doesn't require a lot of resources. Also turn off the useless built-in Windows firewall & services. I can recommend Comodo Firewall. It's free and can be customized to use very little resources while doing a pretty decent job.

5: Get rid of junk-driver-programs. Keep the drivers of course, but uninstall or disable the useless services that constantly run in the background. Like scanner, printer or audio "service" programs that comes with most drivers.

6: Get rid of junk-apps. Weather apps, search bars and joke apps etc., They use your connection to bring you useless commercials and junk, which takes up recourses.

7: Get rid of PunkBuster, if you have it. Go to services, and check if "PnkBstrA" and/or "PnkBstrB" are running. If they are, stop and disable them. (Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services) *If you use Comodo Firewall, you can block PunkBuster from ever being installed again, and prohibit execution of any PunkBuster services. You would be surprised how many games that silently install this garbage program. It's a good idea to check, even if you never installed PunkBuster yourself.

8: Clean the temp-files. I can recommend CClean. It's free, and comes in both 32bit and 64bit versions.

9: Check Windows start-up list and disable any and all useless junk programs. I can recommend CClean for this too. (Tools - Startup)

10: Clean Windows Task Scheduler. Get rid of the useless checks that makes your system slow down at randomly when Windows hit a timer. (Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Task Scheduler)

11: Never ever use iTunes. Besides being the slowest, most incompatible and absolute worst media player ever made, it will also decrease performance on any system, and runs the weirdest background "services" at random. I would recommend to stay away from any Apple products in general. No offence to Apple-users, but Apple is simply just not capable of making quality software.

12: Stop and disable useless background services. (Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services) *I made a recommended list: (LINK)

13: If you have a multi-core CPU, like a Core-i5, i7 or i9, disable Core parking. (Google how, there are lots of guides)

14: Always have the latest graphics card drivers installed. Don't use the ones from Windows update. Get it from the manufactures website instead.
GeForce Drivers (LINK)
AMD Drivers (LINK)

15: Make sure that you have the latest drivers and redistributables installed. List here: (LINK)

More Windows 10 specific tips: