Live data from Hacker News

Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

thurrott.com

11–20 of 413 posts

Re: Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

#11
post #7

This wouldn't be bad if I could uninstall that app but the button is gray on my machine. Same for the Xbox apps that I am guaranteed to never need. Weird feeling.

https://www.howtogeek.com/224798/how-to-uninstall-windows-10...

Open the PowerShell as admin and copy:

Get-AppxPackage * windowscommunicationsapps * | Remove-AppxPackage (remove space at the two asterisks, HN turns the text into italicized)

voilà, Mail and Calendar uninstalled. You can do this with all of the preinstalled stuff (Xbox as well), see the link above.

Re: Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

#13
post #2

So, my uncle needs a new computer and he needs Windows 10 on it. How can I make sure that he is not being spied on and psychologically manipulated by ads right from the beginning? Is there a professional version of Windows 10 with none of those shenanigans I keep hearing about?

You can’t and there isn’t.

Re: Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

#15

Microsoft continues to demonstrate that it's worst enemy is itself. There's no way that throwing ads in the default Mail app is going to make them more money than it costs them in the long run.

While the ads and bloatware Microsoft was specifically trying to get away from in the 2000-2010ish era coming back, but this time packaged by Microsoft themselves, is absolutely baffling, the Cortana voice playing when you install Windows 10 has me even more confused.

How did that get integrated? Is there some sort of Microsoft VP who decided to stake their career on Cortana and overrode everyone to merge that awful design decision into the installer, or do Microsoft employees like it as well?

Who ever wanted to run a Windows installer via voice? Has anyone ever actually used the voice installer?

Re: Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

#17

Microsoft continues to demonstrate that it's worst enemy is itself. There's no way that throwing ads in the default Mail app is going to make them more money than it costs them in the long run.

They are a very successful company and have been like that for many years. I am pretty sure they know their numbers.

Re: Microsoft Is Putting Ads on the Mail App in Windows 10

#20
post #2

So, my uncle needs a new computer and he needs Windows 10 on it. How can I make sure that he is not being spied on and psychologically manipulated by ads right from the beginning? Is there a professional version of Windows 10 with none of those shenanigans I keep hearing about?

After installing Windows 10:

Go to Settings -> Privacy, and slide many (most?) things to off. Including Diagnostic & Usage Data to Basic.

Settings > Personalization > Start and slide "Occasionally show suggestions in start" to off.

Settings -> Personalization -> Lock Screen and slide "Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen" to off.

Settings -> System -> Notifications & actions -> "Get tip, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows" and "Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested" to off.

Go to Cortana (Taskbar) -> Settings (Gear Icon) -> "Taskbar tidbits" to off

I wouldn't use the built in "Mail" app with or without ads, it is terrible. Just have him simply not use it.

Post reply on HN