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Useless Windows 10 Features

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Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#101

Post by crispinb »

ilaksh wrote: post #38

In case people are really ambitious or adventurous and want to avoid all of this stuff completely, what Linux distro (or other open source OS) is currently trendiest/most useful/relevant? Is it still Ubuntu?

You're probably best off asking around on relevant forums about what works best on your particular machine. Of the mainstream distros, I found Fedora was by far the best OOB for my current laptop (XPS 15 9570), but I don't get the impression that's universally true.

(Tangent: though likeable in many ways, Fedora was still too much fart-arsing about for me & after a few months I went back to Windows. I don't like it, but then the sad state 2019 has brought us to is that all desktop OSs are rubbish, so 'not liking it' is an unusable choice criterion).

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#102

Post by ken »

_trampeltier wrote: post #15

Standart folders, does anybody really use them? I upgradet one Notebook at home to from Win7 to Win10. Besides of other things I couldn't believe the added Candy Crash in my Start Menu. In a home edition maybe .. but on Win Pro, serious? I played back on the Win7 image pretty quick. I'm anyway mostly Linux, but I don't think I'll ever move any machine to Win10.

> I couldn't believe the added Candy Crash in my Start Menu. In a home edition maybe .. but on Win Pro, serious?

Are you surprised? The file search on Windows XP Professional used an animated cartoon dog. This is just what Microsoft does.

As Steve Jobs once said, "The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste."

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#103

Post by sofaofthedamned »

cVwEq wrote: post #92
cookie_monsta wrote: post #85

I've installed Win10 on dozens of machines and I've never seen ads on the lock screen, in the taskbar, and in notifications like the article talks about. Maybe because I always say "no" to all those creepy tracking/advertising ID type options on the initial config screen and I always say no to Cortana at the same time. What I heard (and it seems reasonable) is that MS included games like Solitaire and Minesweeper in…

Same here, but maybe the difference is that we install Windows 10 Pro whereas the author is a Windows 10 Home user? The article doesn't seem to state the version they are using. Most annoying is that there are a large number of little bits of functionality that phone home or send information out into the ether: Windows Defender and its submitting of samples, searching via the Windows button, Task Scheduled telemetry…

Wikipedia in this situation always uses Edge as the browser. I wonder if this helps inflate their user stats?

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#104

Post by dagaci »

cookie_monsta wrote: post #85

I've installed Win10 on dozens of machines and I've never seen ads on the lock screen, in the taskbar, and in notifications like the article talks about. Maybe because I always say "no" to all those creepy tracking/advertising ID type options on the initial config screen and I always say no to Cortana at the same time. What I heard (and it seems reasonable) is that MS included games like Solitaire and Minesweeper in…

I've tended to always chose the defaults and Yes to everything :) and have never seen any kind of Ads either. I don't have the people tab either! (although it appears like something i would have instantly flicked off without thinking)

I wonder if Microsoft engages in some kind of personification of OS settings...

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#105

Post by zvrba »

IdontRememberIt wrote: post #53

The most critical useless feature (as it is now) is actually the Windows Store. What is Microsoft doing wrong that makes nobody use it? It could be a revolution (selling + updates).

There are some nifty apps, like Grapholite (Visio "lite") and it's reasonably priced as well.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#106

Post by superasn »

I'm deliberately trying never to update to Windows 10 because I think Windows 7 had everything I could ever need from the OS.

I wish the hardware drivers weren't so restricted as for my latest laptop no driver exists for Windows 7 so had to be forced to install Win 10 nightmare.

One tip for you guys is that if you want to get rid of most bloat that comes bundled with Win 10, I found this freeware software to be pretty effective:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/10appsmanager-windows-10?&amp...

So far I haven't witnessed any issues in terms of stability after removing almost all bundled crap.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#107

Post by molteanu »

I've tried to change my video settings the other day. Bam! A nice guy with a big smile on his face filled my entire screen selling me Xbox and other junk. I've told my girlfriend I'm feeling like shopping in the mall while using Windows 10.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#108

Post by elygre »

flukus wrote: post #99
SyneRyder wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Edge lets you turn that off - on the New Tab page, click on the cog symbol (Customize) and you can choose from New Tab page display settings: Top Sites & My Feed, Top Sites, or Blank Page. ChrEdge Beta can hide the news feed if you choose Focused view, but currently all they do is put it after the page fold, so you see it if you merely scroll down. I've sent a Feedback request saying that's something that might keep…

> Edge lets you turn that off - on the New Tab page, click on the cog symbol (Customize) and you can choose from New Tab page display settings: Top Sites & My Feed, Top Sites, or Blank Page. I shouldn't have to turn off whatever spam they build into a paid for product. It should also be in the browser settings, not a confusingly placed and easy to miss hieroglyph. For me I don't even get those options, it's just a to…

On my windows 10 computer, the browser settings have an option called "Open new tabs with", defaulting to "Top sites and suggested content". This can be changed to "A blank page", right there in the browser settings.

On the same computer, on the default start page ("Top Sites and suggested content"), the hieroglyph cog referenced above is conveniently place at the top right, and even has a label, too. It's called "Hide Feed".

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#109

Post by throwaway8941 »

40four wrote: post #56
IdontRememberIt wrote: post #53

The most critical useless feature (as it is now) is actually the Windows Store. What is Microsoft doing wrong that makes nobody use it? It could be a revolution (selling + updates).

I think the only thing I've used it for installing Windows Subsystem for Linux

You don't even need it for that.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-manual

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#110

Post by elygre »

Nextgrid wrote: post #4

It’s hard to believe how despite all the telemetry, Microsoft still manages to be so out of touch with their users’ actual needs. It’s almost like there’s a hidden agenda somewhere.

Or, maybe they aren't. Maybe their telemetry keeps them in touch with all their users, while the rest of us see only own own little echo chambers.
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