Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#181

Post by AlexandrB » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:02 PM UTC

jm4 wrote: post #58

tux3 wrote: post #9

The newer versions of Windows seem to care less and less about what the user prefers. This is emblematic in the message boxes that offer a choice between Yes and Not Now/Maybe Later. It takes real effort to make Windows accept a No.

The irony is that they do care about what the user prefers. All this telemetry and the surveys are to better understand user habits and preferences so they can make their software better. Unfortunately, they are so out of touch and ignorant that the methods they use are the exact bullshit users don't want.

> The irony is that they do care about what the user prefers.

I doubt it. They probably care about things that are easy to measure like "engagement with the feature". Doesn't matter if the user is spitting mad the whole time.

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#182

Post by password4321 » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:03 PM UTC

Edge on first use after startup used to prompt for Microsoft login with an un-skippable modal pop-up, had to terminate the process and restart the app to bypass.

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#183

Post by itslennysfault » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:03 PM UTC

donohoe wrote: post #167

Anyone here work at Microsoft that can explain how anyone at the company thought this was a good idea? Seriously. I'm genuinely confused. MS never had the best UI (hello MS Word toolbars) but those happened over time through attrition and added features. This is one of many intentional user-hostile experiences.

I don't work at Microsoft (anymore) and never worked on this project, but I can pretty confidently say it went like this...

  Some exec: "Why are people quitting OneDrive?"
  Some PM: "I don't know."
  Some exec: "We should do an exit poll."

...time passes

  Some exec: "Why are people quittin OneDrive?"
  Some PM: "Those that answer say ____, but a lot of people don't answer the exit poll."
  Some exec: "We should force them to answer"
  Some PM: "Fine."

/scene

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#184

Post by justinclift » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:05 PM UTC

Needs a new option in the list "Fuck You Microsoft". :)

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#185

Post by 13of40 » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:07 PM UTC

donohoe wrote: post #167

Anyone here work at Microsoft that can explain how anyone at the company thought this was a good idea? Seriously. I'm genuinely confused. MS never had the best UI (hello MS Word toolbars) but those happened over time through attrition and added features. This is one of many intentional user-hostile experiences.

I used to work at Microsoft, so I can field this one: The answer is that they want to gather data about how to improve OneDrive so people continue to use it. The PM who owns OneDrive adoption probably has to talk to a slide in a regular status meeting, and someone up the chain keeps asking pointed questions about why the curve is less than exponential. The fact that they disabled the button until you pick an answer isn't malice, it's just shitty design. In time that PM will learn and grow.

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#186

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:09 PM UTC

donohoe wrote: post #167

Anyone here work at Microsoft that can explain how anyone at the company thought this was a good idea? Seriously. I'm genuinely confused. MS never had the best UI (hello MS Word toolbars) but those happened over time through attrition and added features. This is one of many intentional user-hostile experiences.

[deleted]

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#187

Post by crabmusket » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:11 PM UTC

This is a great way to poison your data collection by forcing users to select an answer they may not mean, just to proceed.

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#188

Post by aj7 » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:12 PM UTC

By the way, has anyone figured out how to show Google Drive as an option to save in Office365, without having to navigate through your hard drive?

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#189

Post by csdreamer7 » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:12 PM UTC

Times like this I am happy I am mostly Windows free with my work as a Linux kernel developer.

Still need Windows for a few things. Like playing my GOG.com games. No, Heroic or Lutris do not work well. With the exception of playing the rebuilds of Diablo I.

My next gaming machine will likely be Linux only if I ever get myself to finish the OG Baldur's Gate I and II. You can buy the Enhanced Edition on GOG and put in a support request to have the original added to your library. I bought the original when it came out on GOG. You may want to do that for mods or if you just prefer the original.

edit: To clarify: I want to be able use GOG Galaxy for game syncing and convenience. That does not work well in my experience with Proton.

Re: Microsoft won't let you close OneDrive on Windows until you explain yourself

#190

Post by Minor49er » Thu, Nov 09, 2023, 8:16 PM UTC

The article notes the items in the dropdown:

  Here are the options the app lets you pick:

    I do not want OneDrive running all the time
    I do not know what OneDrive is
    I do not use OneDrive
    I am trying to fix a problem with OneDrive
    I am trying to speed up my computer
    I get too many notifications
    Other

  Sadly, there is no "none of your business, let me quit" option.

Actually, the "Other" option encompasses "none of your business, let me quit". Though it is still a UI nuisance