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Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

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Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#191

Post by giancarlostoro »

Dalewyn wrote: post #116
giancarlostoro wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't trust them not to turn it back on (as happens to all sorts of features after a Windows update), and continue to install garbage I don't need or even wanted. I'm happy on POP_OS! and I'm not going back. Been on POP since January 18th of this year. I gave up on Microsoft when I realized Windows Defender will send over files to Microsoft it thinks are suspicious, and there's 0 audit trail for the files. For all…

>I don't trust them not to turn it back on Microsoft respects Group Policy because enterprise uses Group Policy.

That is fair, I did not know that, I thought this was only respected if you were an enterprise licensed user, but that might be my misunderstanding. Even so, I've gotten so used to Linux, I can't go back. Whenever I use Windows I wind up missing Linux. The only thing holding me on Windows was games, but Steam's Proton has gotten insanely well.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#192

Post by Nuenki »

cmcaleer wrote: post #103
langsoul-com wrote: post #99

Currently using Ubuntu as my main driver, replaced Windows. I wouldn't really say the user experience is as good as Windows. Apps hang more often, steam freezes and restarts more. Games crash more often. All problems I wouldn't have on windows. Even though Linux has gotten really far, I wouldn't be using it if windows wasn't so shit now.

Windows very much still has gaming by the short and curlies. Valve have done a ton of work with Proton that makes it considerably better, but if you enjoy anything competitive Windows is mandatory for anti-cheat. Can't say I've shared your experience in terms of programs hanging more often, with the exception of Steam and games. Productivity apps and browsers run perfectly fine for me. That said, Windows has its own…

I find it interesting that I've found Linux to be flawless at gaming, with the exception of VR (though apparently you can make that work as well), but some of my friends have had the complete opposite experience. I think it's strongly determined by the genre of games you like - I don't play esports or gacha games.

If anyone here is considering switching to Linux, I'd recommend taking a look at whether the games _you_ play run well.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#193

Post by paranoidxprod »

nolist_policy wrote: post #170
hrnnnnnn wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I set up a local only Windows 11 machine recently. 1. Install with throwaway Microsoft account 2. Create new local admin account 3. Use local admin account to delete setup account Not ideal, but not difficult either.

Doesn't sound like a supported configuration to me. Wouldn't surprise me if it breaks one day.

You can also do shift+F10 when a windows install is starting up, then type in `OOBE\BYPASSNRO`. That reboots and allows you to continue without internet and only setting up a local account without needing an online one. Wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft removes this eventually but I do this all the time when setting up new stations for my job.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#194

Post by anvuong »

spartanatreyu wrote: post #134
langsoul-com wrote: post #99

Currently using Ubuntu as my main driver, replaced Windows. I wouldn't really say the user experience is as good as Windows. Apps hang more often, steam freezes and restarts more. Games crash more often. All problems I wouldn't have on windows. Even though Linux has gotten really far, I wouldn't be using it if windows wasn't so shit now.

Ubuntu's snap packages are terrible, they lag and crash. It's like Ubuntu saw the Windows Store (less features, worse performance, unmoderated and not used by anyone) and said we want that too. Just download the thing from whoever's website and you won't run into problems. You can download steam for linux directly on steam (in a .deb package).

But then you'll run the risks of your apps randomly breaking after OS upgrades. A simple Linux headers change can mess up apps installed via .deb files

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#195

Post by hnben »

NavinF wrote: post #52
dartharva wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So they say..

This is some serious tinfoil hattery. The data is not small. If it was being uploaded, you'd notice.

> This is some serious tinfoil hattery.

microsoft regularly makes promises about privacy and telemetry, and regularly breaks them. They have been multiple law suites about this.

In germany we say "Wo ein Trog ist, sammeln sich die Schweine", especially in the discussion around recall.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#196

Post by Dalewyn »

giancarlostoro wrote: post #191
Dalewyn wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I don't trust them not to turn it back on Microsoft respects Group Policy because enterprise uses Group Policy.

That is fair, I did not know that, I thought this was only respected if you were an enterprise licensed user, but that might be my misunderstanding. Even so, I've gotten so used to Linux, I can't go back. Whenever I use Windows I wind up missing Linux. The only thing holding me on Windows was games, but Steam's Proton has gotten insanely well.

Group Policy is available in any version of Windows from Professional and up and doesn't require joining into a domain or a special license. A standalone Windows Professional install can effect Group Policy for itself and the policies thereof will be respected.

Home also technically has Group Policy, but it's not supposed to and most workarounds to that effect are very janky.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#197

Post by ItsBob »

paranoidxprod wrote: post #193
nolist_policy wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't sound like a supported configuration to me. Wouldn't surprise me if it breaks one day.

You can also do shift+F10 when a windows install is starting up, then type in `OOBE\BYPASSNRO`. That reboots and allows you to continue without internet and only setting up a local account without needing an online one. Wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft removes this eventually but I do this all the time when setting up new stations for my job.

I read recently somewhere that this has been removed in the latest (alpha?) build now... their intention is clear: this install belongs to Microsoft, not you!

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#198

Post by zamadatix »

userbinator wrote: post #53
StableAlkyne wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No longer receiving security updates on an OS who receives most malware and has a history of vulnerabilities isn't FUD

Exactly the sort of brainwashing I was referring to. Security depends entirely on your threat model. Look up the CVE stats by OS and you'll see the truth.

I agree security depends on your threat model but CVEs counts tell you newly noted vulnerabilities and you don't really need to bother with that when the you've already got dozens that'll never be patched.

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#199

Post by ynik »

hrnnnnnn wrote: post #137
Sol- wrote: post #126

Is that not consistent with how Microsoft always introduced its "features"? Especially all the crap that came since Windows 10/11. First you could still create a local account after there was backlash against cloud-everything, nowadays a local only Windows is quite complex to set up. The Cortana/search bar stuff was also regularly re-enabled or parts of it made non-configurable, with them only occasionally backtracki…

I set up a local only Windows 11 machine recently. 1. Install with throwaway Microsoft account 2. Create new local admin account 3. Use local admin account to delete setup account Not ideal, but not difficult either.

You can still install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. It requires configuring the installation before you boot from the USB stick.

I use https://rufus.ie/en/ when creating bootable USB sticks, and it turns out that this tool detects when you're trying to create a Windows installation medium, and prompts with a list of useful customizations, including "Remove requirement for online Microsoft account". (if you look through the screenshots on the webpage, there's one with the Windows customization dialog box)

Re: Microsoft's 'Recall' feature can't be uninstalled after all

#200

Post by zamadatix »

x3n0ph3n3 wrote: post #85
bongodongobob wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure there will be GPOs and registry keys to disable it. We're actually not worried about it at all, at least no one I know is. Corporate Windows deployments are not the same as Windows Home. We manage it very differently.

So it's ok to have Skyward installed as long as it is disabled?

I don't think any enterprise is going to be shocked Windows has a few extra bytes of cruft than they need in the base install. Ultimately it actually being disabled is a matter of general trust in the data controls - for which Microsoft is a lot better favored on the enterprise side than the consumer side.
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