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Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

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Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#31

Post by jwrallie »

Krasnol wrote: post #22

> Like in the case of StartAllBack, you can bypass the block by simply renaming the executable to something else. If you want to upgrade to a newer build, delete the app, update your system, and then launch it using a renamed executable. This is ridiculous. I assume they just want to prevent average Joanne to use the tool, but she wouldn't do it either way or even get the idea to look for it. I mean...there are still…

I’m not on windows 11 but I wonder if you could rename a different executable and get it blocked in the same way?

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#32

Post by nine_k »

ykonstant wrote: post #18
HlessClaudesman wrote: post #4

Not being able to customise my environment is a dealbreaker for me. I will be converting my day to day machine to Linux rather than being nagged into a user hostile OS upgrade. Clearly Microsoft has given up on powerusers, the people who notice and sometimes fix flaws in their monolith. Seems shortsighted.

How good is running Windows in a VM with a Linux host nowadays? Does it work well for office users who want to run Office? How about people who want to run Adobe or Autodesk software? These use cases seem to be causing the most friction for the transition in my circles (apart from gaming, which is a different story).

Steam/Valve made a point of running Windows games under Linux as good or better as under.Windows. that is, Wine and Proton are really good these days.

Running genuine MS Windows® in a VM is very possible but much less necessary than, say, 10 years ago, if you want to run some non-esoteric Windows software. It also technically requires a license.

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#33

Post by alok-g »

This is a deal breaker for me too. I updated to Windows 11 only once I found ExplorerPatcher.

Were it not for sizeable investments in Windows-specific apps, I would have moved away.

I am currently using:

* ExplorerPatcher (replace taskbar)

* OpenShell (replace start menu)

* ProcessExplorer (replace task manager)

* XYPlorer (replace file manager)

* Utilities like Notepad++, Paint.net

* Winsplit Revolution (Window management)

* BatteryCare (Power management)

* USBSafelyRemove (USB device management)

* Etc.

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#34

Post by HlessClaudesman »

wepple wrote: post #9
HlessClaudesman wrote: post #4

Not being able to customise my environment is a dealbreaker for me. I will be converting my day to day machine to Linux rather than being nagged into a user hostile OS upgrade. Clearly Microsoft has given up on powerusers, the people who notice and sometimes fix flaws in their monolith. Seems shortsighted.

What kept you on their platform this long if you don’t mind my asking?

Design software, games and lazyness.

I have a linux running as my home server, so I have tried out various distros, currently using Mint Xfce.

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#35

Post by mintplant »

wizzwizz4 wrote: post #2

Extract from Adventures in application compatibility: The case of the jump into the middle of an instruction from nowhere by Raymond Chen. https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20230324-00/?p=10... > What happened is that we recently made changes to this internal function, and apparently those changes were enough to cause the patcher to go haywire. This is unfortunately a regular occurrence: Whenever a new build…

Okay, then maybe they could stop messing things up instead of blaming their users? I would love to not have to run a third-party patcher to put my taskbar at the top of the screen where I've had it for a decade and a half.

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#37

Post by appstorelottery »

It's a pity Microsoft is taking this direction, it's almost like they are completely abandoning their old user base. I feel that they should be doing the opposite of what Apple is doing - remove telemetry and ads, perhaps charge for a "developer" version of the OS, encourage independent software development and help with discovery (i.e. give away free code-signing keys)...

I moved away from Windows as my desktop in 2002 and opted for Apple, and if MS changed their direction - at least for me as a developer - I would embrace "switching back". I'm completely sick of what Apple is doing, and yet aside from open source - where is the large-scale commercial competition that's screaming "we are the opposite of Apple."? I can only speak for myself, however I would be the hugest fanboy for Microsoft if they showed some leadership and actually gave me what I wanted...

Microsoft built its business on developers - some people want to customise their UI - what is the compelling argument to marginalise this minority?

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#38

Post by MikusR »

wizzwizz4 wrote: post #2

Extract from Adventures in application compatibility: The case of the jump into the middle of an instruction from nowhere by Raymond Chen. https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20230324-00/?p=10... > What happened is that we recently made changes to this internal function, and apparently those changes were enough to cause the patcher to go haywire. This is unfortunately a regular occurrence: Whenever a new build…

Even the main picture in the article shows the error message that clearly states:

"A new version might be available"

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#39

Post by Springtime »

Microsoft still haven't implemented a native vertical taskbar after all the years of it being in the top voted[1] request (part of the request to move to any side of the screen) and the fact it's been part of Windows for like 15 years. It's a dealbreaker tbh.

Third-party tools that restored the W10 taskbar in W11 allowed users to continue having a taskbar that's usable for them yet the latest W11 betas show they're removing that legacy code. It'd be fine if they were replacing it with an equivalent but they're not.

[1] https://www.neowin.net/news/ability-to-move-the-windows-11-t...

Re: Microsoft blocks even more customization apps in Windows 11 version 24H2

#40

Post by riedel »

HlessClaudesman wrote: post #4

Not being able to customise my environment is a dealbreaker for me. I will be converting my day to day machine to Linux rather than being nagged into a user hostile OS upgrade. Clearly Microsoft has given up on powerusers, the people who notice and sometimes fix flaws in their monolith. Seems shortsighted.

I am not sure if the apps mentioned here really target power users. It seems that they are actually blocking apps by name (!) that reached some popularity in bringing back the old windows style interface. Those apps are bypassing Microsofts efforts to place ads all over the place and monetize the start menu. Those new featured content and AI stuff seems all very hacked into the interface and breaks easily. My taskbar even gets stuck from time to time (missed meetings because of the stuck clock). So this seems all just collateral damage in using windows to sell cloud stuff.
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