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Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

windowsreport.com

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Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#51

Post by flykespice »

nerdjon wrote: post #16

I recently rebuilt my computer and figured I would just go with Windows 11 to have all the new features and compatibility. I have been seriously debating on reinstalling and going back to 10. Just yesterday "gaming services" just decided it no longer wanted to run. With the talk of how much data this thing collects it really makes me uneasy. Even though I only use it for gaming (I use my Mac for everything else)... I…

After almost a decade using a low-end 1.6 ghz linux laptop that was eternally plugged to the power supply I could afford to buy a Mini PC that still had decent specs so you still could play mid 2010s AAA games in mid-settings.

The mini-pc already came with Windows 11 preinstalled on a 256 gb SSD, I though that was sufficient to allocate a new partition and install linux in it whilst still keeping windows to play games it, however the steam games soon ate up half the SSD with little room for anything else.

I had to make a though decision either I format the SSD entirely to make room for linux or I keep windows 11 to be able to play games.

I chose the latter, on the bright side it stimulated me to learn IDEs for development and depend less on command line only tools from linux.

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#52

Post by AdamN »

nerdjon wrote: post #31
ArnoVW wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I switched to Ubuntu recently. Never looking back. There are still minor painpoints, but they pale in comparison with the mess that has become Windows.

Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.

Would Windows in a VM (Parallels) just for games work?

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#53

Post by devinprater »

Just think of all the people with disabilities who are using Windows right now, in banks, hospitals, the IRS, therapy, and government positions, with Microsoft slirping up all your data. All because Linux accessibility is too crappy to be useful for most people with disabilities, especially blind people. All your data, going all to Microsoft. Keep that in mind as y'all use and develop your Linux desktops.

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#54

Post by nerdjon »

ArnoVW wrote: post #46
nerdjon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.

Given your gaming background, I can see why you don't want a Mac. But Linux? I have two kids, aged 7 and 10. They would be very much 'not amused' if I'd propose them 'tux racer' or the likes... Steam works pretty much out of the box, and there's proton as you mentioned. Perhaps you could install a second hard disk in your machine, and make it dual-boot? Just as a POC, and to get an idea of the state of Linux gaming.

I did experiment with it on my Steam Deck, and even there I ended up dual booting and most of my gaming on it is on Windows.

I do play some things on SteamOS but there are some games that I play that either don't work or they are tied into the Xbox Ecosystem so the lack of Xbox friends is a non starter for me. (Halo being a prime example)

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#55

Post by nerdjon »

AdamN wrote: post #52
nerdjon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.

Would Windows in a VM (Parallels) just for games work?

I mean technically but if I am running a Windows VM 100% of the time I am using this PC it kinda defeats the purpose of having Linux installed.

Also that would be a huge hit to performance of the games.

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#56

Post by baal80spam »

AraceliHarker wrote: post #22

I've heard that if you block domains related to telemetry using the hosts file, Microsoft Defender will warn you that your security is compromised.

I'm still using Win10 (and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon, if ever) but that's not true on Win10. I use a great little utility called simplewall which has this functionality built in and I use MS Defender just fine with no warnings.

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#57

Post by ridgered4 »

I've seen a number of pieces about privacy problems with Windows 11 but they've struck me as kind of odd. To me, Windows 10 was an awful privacy nightmare and Windows 11 is just more of the same. They're going to turn the screws on TPM requirements and press even harder on Microsoft accounts, but fundamentally it just seems like a continuation of the path things were already on.

It is fine to remind everyone of what is going on, but this war was lost 8 years ago.

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#58

Post by db48x »

AdamN wrote: post #52
nerdjon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.

Would Windows in a VM (Parallels) just for games work?

I don’t know about Parallels specifically, but VMs can work provided you use PCIe passthrough so the VM can gain direct access to your video card. Since your primary OS also wants access to the video card for compositing, you might end up needing two (but the second one wouldn’t have to be very expensive).

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#59

Post by smoldesu »

boomboomsubban wrote: post #38
smoldesu wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't mean I inherantly paid for it. My dad could hand me down his old Mac and I would be able to lawfully download and use it without spending a dime. The software is free (to download), it is not freely licensed though.

Pretty sure I can freely download Windows 11 too, and if my father passed me down his old laptop I could reinstall Windows on it. I get what you're saying, but MacOS isn't cost free. It's only sold bundled with Apple hardware, and you must buy both.

Hence the "technical" clause in my original comment. Nothing stops me if I want to go (hypothetically) Hackintosh my Thinkpad. Apple lets you download the recovery image right from their CDN and (hypothetically) it's a cakewalk to mount OpenCore on it with an EFI off Github. Apple sure didn't make it, but they also don't have an "Activate MacOS" popup after you partition your drive (at least, in my expe- erm, hypothetically).

So, agree to disagree. The preeminent point is that Microsoft is the only one charging directly for the licensing of their software, which is ironic if it spies on you incessantly. Agreed?

Re: Windows 11 is collecting more user data than you know

#60

Post by [deleted] »

nerdjon wrote: post #31
ArnoVW wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I switched to Ubuntu recently. Never looking back. There are still minor painpoints, but they pale in comparison with the mess that has become Windows.

Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.

[deleted]
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