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NixThis is a free, early-stage Windows utility that borrows the point-and-select idea from uBlock Origin’s Element Picker and applies it to Windows interface items and settings rather than webpage content. You point at an item in Windows. If NixThis’s filter list recognizes it, the app identifies the setting behind it, shows the proposed change, and lets you decide whether to apply it. Items it does not recognize are left alone. It is not a Windows-wide ad blocker, it is not a browser extension, and it is not a Windows version of uBlock Origin.
What NixThis is, and how it differs from uBlock Origin
Neowin’s report by Sayan Sen, published October 8, 2026, frames NixThis through uBlock Origin’s two selection tools. In uBlock Origin, the Element Picker creates a persistent filter for a webpage element you select, while the Element Zapper removes an element only until the page reloads. NixThis takes the selection interaction out of the browser and points it at Windows. The developer, Belim, describes the idea in the project README this way: “Point at the annoying thing, and it looks for the setting behind it.”
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The two tools share a method but have different targets and effects. The table below sets them side by side using the behavior described in the project README and the Neowin report.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches| Aspect | uBlock Origin (Element Picker and Zapper) | NixThis (Element Picker) |
|---|---|---|
| What you select | Elements on a webpage | Windows interface items, such as taskbar buttons or settings-linked elements |
| What it matches against | Page content, through filters you create or import | A filter list of known Windows items; unrecognized items are not changed |
| Effect of a picker action | Creates a persistent filter | Changes a Windows setting after you review the proposed change |
| Temporary removal | The Zapper removes an element until the page reloads | Not stated in the README or the Neowin excerpt |
| Ways to undo | Not covered in the cited material | “Bring it back” restores the prior value for most filters; Store app removals are an exception |
Several limits follow from this design. NixThis recognizes only items represented in its filter list. It changes Windows settings rather than hiding page content. It does not claim to remove every Windows ad, search suggestion, or unwanted feature, and the developer’s own description presents coverage as partial and changing.
#1 Best Overall
- Model: Dell OptiPlex 7050 Small Form Factor (SFF)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 3.60 GHz
- Memory: 32GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD) Fast Boot + Storage
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
How to use NixThis
The current installation files and build are on the project’s release page at https://github.com/builtbybel/NixThis. Check that page before installing, because the README is the source the developer updates when the release changes. NixThis offers two routes for acting on Windows items: the picker and the filter list.
Using the Element Picker
- Open NixThis and click Pick an element, or press Ctrl+Shift+Space.
- Move the pointer over the Windows item you want to address.
- Watch the frame. A green frame means NixThis recognizes the item. A gray frame means it does not yet recognize the item; the app records the sighting locally and changes nothing.
- On a green frame, review what will change. You can block the item or leave it alone.
If another application has already claimed Ctrl+Shift+Space, the shortcut will not work. Use the Pick an element button instead.
Rank #2
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- [LATEST WIRELESS TECH] - This Dell Desktop Computer easily connects to the internet through the Built In WiFi / Bluetooth
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Using the filter list
- Open More in NixThis.
- Search the known filters.
- Select the changes you want to review.
- Click Apply changes.
Each row explains where the item lives and what will change. Installed apps also appear in the list. According to the README, apps that Windows requires are protected, while other preinstalled apps are offered as removal choices.
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The README says most filters write a documented or well-known Windows Registry value. The developer states that NixThis does not patch system files, disable random services, or run a large, opaque optimization script. These are the developer’s descriptions of the design; they have not been independently verified.
Rank #3
- Powerful 9th Gen Processor - The Dell OptiPlex 7070 desktop computer driven by the Intel 8 Core 9th generation i7-9700 processor upto 4.70 Ghz for efficient multitasking.
- Microsoft Windows 11 Pro - This Dell small form factor desktop is Pre-installed with the Windows 11 Professional operating system,Microsoft has re-imagined how the PC should work for you and with you. This Windows 11 desktop computer is redefining productivity.
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- Rich Ports - This Dell OptiPlex Computer with 5 x USB 3.1 ports,4 x USB 2.0 ports, 2 x display ports,which support for two displays. Also wireless keyboard & mouse.
- Registry-based filters. Most changes write a Registry value. The app stores the value it replaces so the change can be reversed.
- Administrator rights. Some machine-wide settings require elevation. NixThis first tries the change without elevation. If Windows refuses, the app can explain why and restart with administrator rights.
- Preinstalled apps. Removal runs through PowerShell. A protected package list keeps core Windows components off the removal list.
Restoring a change
The “Bring it back” feature restores the previous value that NixThis recorded for a filter. This covers the Registry-based changes. Store app removals are the exception. The README says Windows offers no real undo for an uninstall, so NixThis opens the matching Microsoft Store page instead, and you reinstall the app from there. Do not assume every action in NixThis can be reversed with one click.
How the Element Picker recognizes an item
According to the README, the picker combines a global mouse hook with Windows UI Automation. It reads the element under the pointer and builds a signature from properties such as AutomationId, class name, visible name, owning process, and parent elements. It then compares that signature with the filter list.
Rank #4
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- [Large Storage Capacity, Easy Expansion] - Mini Computer K1 is equipped with a 16GB LPDDR4 3200MT/S (non‑expandable memory) and a 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, which allows the small PC to run several high performance operations simultaneously. The LPDDR4 memory delivers faster data transfer speeds for snappier multitasking and responsive performance. The Ryzen micro desktop offers fast data reading, writing, and storage capabilities, ensuring smooth application running. If you want more storage space, you can also add M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD or M.2 SATA SSD to expand storage up to 2TB. This means you can easily store and access a large amount of files, media, and data
- [Sleek Chassis & High efficiency cooling system] - The portable mini pc features a Silver-toned Body and can be stored in a bag and carried with you at any time, ideal for business trips. Save space by super mini size(5x5x1.6 inch) and a VESA mount to install it on wall or monitors. Advanced Axial Fan & Internal Cooling Technology are practically silent at light load and even under load, the fans remain fairly quiet. Minimal or inaudible fan noise is perfect for concentrating on the task at hand!
- [WiFi 5&Bluetooth 4.2-Simply Compatible]- ACE Win11 Small PC have reliable and stable wireless connection, opening websites in seconds, watching movies without buffering and downloading files smoothly. Built-in Bluetooth enables you to connect multiple wireless devices such as mice, keyboard, headset, monitoring equipment, printer, monitor, TV and so on. High-speed wireless connection technology, reliable and efficient transmission speed, providing a faster internet experience for browsing and streaming
- Stable identifiers are preferred. Visible labels can change with Windows language settings, so an identifier that does not depend on the displayed text is a more reliable match.
- The taskbar needs extra work. The taskbar may report only the taskbar itself rather than the button under the pointer. NixThis therefore walks the automation tree to find the specific button.
- Unknown items are logged. Sightings of unrecognized elements are stored in a local log. The filter list can be updated separately from the app.
Coverage is limited and will change. The developer says Windows changes frequently and that new builds may introduce new places where suggestions appear. A filter that works on one Windows build may not match another, so an item you expect to find may simply be unrecognized.
Privacy: what the developer says happens to your data
The developer says NixThis works locally by default. The optional Explain button stays disabled until you add your own API key. When you request an explanation, the README says only the name and technical details of the selected setting are sent, not a scan of your PC. This is the developer’s statement about the design and has not been independently verified.
Best Value
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high-performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com.
- Dell Optiplex 3050 SFF Desktop computer PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD
- Includes: USB Keyboard & Mouse, USB WiFi adapter, Microsoft office 30 days free trail.
- Port: Front: USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2); Rear: DP, HDMI, USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2), RJ-45.
- Support 4K (3840x2160) Dual display, makes it easy to connect two monitors at the same time, and you can expand working Windows, mirror content, or expand a single window across multiple monitors.
Project status
The README describes NixThis as an early project. The first release is out, but the source code had not yet been published when the README was reviewed, and the developer is cleaning up and refactoring the initial implementation. Neowin similarly describes the utility as new and cautions readers about its limited maturity. No independent test, security audit, or performance comparison of NixThis is available in the cited material, so treat claims about its safety or reliability as the developer’s own until more independent reporting appears.
Before running any filter, note which change it makes and whether a restore path exists for that change. Store app removals in particular should be treated as one-way.
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