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While my main computer runs Linux, I have a Windows laptop for certain uses. It infuriates me that Microsoft relentlessly insists on making changes I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE -- not security updates, but mostly stuff that hands over vast amounts of data to Microsoft. The latest "request" -- using a full screen -- has two response options: "Continue" or "Remind me in 4 days". The option I want is "Never" --

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in reply to Dan Gillmor

That's what finally pushed me over the edge to Linux-on-the-Desktop last year. Boy, have I been so much happier since!!!
in reply to Dan Gillmor

@Dan Gillmor Yeah my laptop is unable to be upgraded to 11. My desktop is Linux mint. I prefer it so much better that way
in reply to anubis2814

@anubis2814 I've seen some great deals on used PCs that "requires Windows install". Pics show it's running Linux. This is not a deal breaker for me.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

I’ve been very happy to be Windows free w/ Mac laptops and Linux desktops for 10+ years now.
This entry was edited (2 months ago)
in reply to Dan Gillmor

I hear ya. My hard drive stayed pinned at 100% for 10 -20 minutes after a restart. It is a "known issue." I fix it but when they patch Windows 10, it breaks again.
It has been going on since 2019. I finally had to buy a Solid State Drive so the computer wouldn't slow to a crawl for 20 minutes (BTW, if this happens to you here is a list of a bunch of fixes. Not all work on all computers it's maddening!)
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-100-disk-usage-fixes-2023/c8156ca3-a295-469f-bb31-c3b7d634cdfc

If only they would bring back a simple OS, like Bob.

in reply to Spocko

@spocko That's my situation, as well. At this point, Windows is for legacy apps and games and little else.
I'd be happier with BeOs!
in reply to Dan Gillmor

Windows is thoroughly borked past 7.

My condolences for you having to use it.

in reply to Dan Gillmor

you perfectly described my feeling. So, my main laptop has been running Linux for many years. And it is greatly improved. Now there is no reasons to go to Windows
in reply to Dan Gillmor

I use a Windows VM on Linux for when I need it. I snapshot it so I can always go back to when it worked ok.

#VoidLinux

in reply to Dan Gillmor

And not just that, but the absolutely HORRIBLE GUI changes they've made in Windows 11 - rounded corners, disappearing and narrower scroll bars, dark theme which has almost zero contrast with the scroll bars (just like Mastodon web interface - sigh), etc.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

My partner sticks to windows. When I help her out with the problems I find myself disorientated: bizarre, complicated menus, nothing is where you expect it to be. Control panel functions buried, unnecessary level of web integration.
And the intrusive updates.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

I dumped Windows and bought my first Mac about 20 years ago and my only regret was not having done so sooner. I had previously made a couple attempts with Linux but while the foundation was solid, I didn’t care for the user experience.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

Weird. I have not had to run Windows for months so had not run into this. ugh.
P.S. I run FreeBSD on my main computer.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

I only have Windows in a virtual machine for the rare case I need it, but it keeps doing that to me too. It really pisses me off.
in reply to Dan Gillmor

You can’t block the data on your firewall or by blackholing the DNS entry?
in reply to Dan Gillmor

Yes, Windows updates often. To be fair, it is not the update that gathers data, but Windows itself. You can decline to send much of it. Vast amounts of data gathered from your seldom-used laptop doesn't seem to parse.

Have you noticed that BIOS is getting updated more frequently? Drivers, too.

It is no longer a set it and forget it world.

in reply to Dan Gillmor

I need to fire up (and probably update) my machine that has a Windows partition. Tax software is the only thing I can't run on either Linux or a gaming console...