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Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

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Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#641

Post by bluetidepro »

Redster wrote: post #631

I know that there are enterprises and individuals who need Windows. I also know that I had been on Windows my whole computing life and made the switch late in 2023 and there's never been a better time to switch to Linux. I could have switched much sooner! I have found my Windows apps for everything work (or have equivalent or better Linux versions) and will soon be switching my non-technical wife over to Linux to avo…

For majority that want to switch but can’t yet, gaming is the biggest pillar still very far behind. Many popular games (and game related apps) don’t work on Linux, sadly. I don’t know if it’s ever going to change either because of it being a chicken or egg scenario where they don’t want to spend the time supporting it cause it’s not enough users, but it’s also not enough users cause it’s not supported.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#642

Post by Jare »

After my recent (and dismayingly poor) experience with a new PC on Windows 11, I wonder: Windows 11 installer did not recognize my wifi card (integrated in asus motherboard), so my installation was purely offline. I had to install manufacturer's drivers via usb key to get the PC online.

How is this possible in a world where MS wants installations to be online?

Meanwhile, Linux installer recognized the wifi right away and worked perfectly fine at full speed.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#643

Post by nowittyusername »

I've been thinking to fully switching to Linux for a while now. But there was just not enough pressure for me to switch over, I think this might do it. I think the universe is done whispering in to my ear and is finally shouting from the rooftops.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#645

Post by wing-_-nuts »

portaouflop wrote: post #626

Pirate it and you will have a much better experience for free

and it comes with free malware!

I gotta be honest man, I do not understand someone who pirates executable code. I (and I assume most of the hn audience) am not some starving student with nothing to lose. I would much rather run linux than pirate windows.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#646

Post by popcar2 »

bluetidepro wrote: post #641
Redster wrote: post #631

I know that there are enterprises and individuals who need Windows. I also know that I had been on Windows my whole computing life and made the switch late in 2023 and there's never been a better time to switch to Linux. I could have switched much sooner! I have found my Windows apps for everything work (or have equivalent or better Linux versions) and will soon be switching my non-technical wife over to Linux to avo…

For majority that want to switch but can’t yet, gaming is the biggest pillar still very far behind. Many popular games (and game related apps) don’t work on Linux, sadly. I don’t know if it’s ever going to change either because of it being a chicken or egg scenario where they don’t want to spend the time supporting it cause it’s not enough users, but it’s also not enough users cause it’s not supported.

The biggest problem is probably work-related apps not working. Adobe products, MS Office, and certain niches like the music industry just aren't supported on Linux.

Many ultra-popular games don't work due to anticheat, but some do. Dota 2, Counter-strike, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2, among others work perfectly fine. We've also reached a point where virtually every offline game will work too.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#647

Post by olivierestsage »

tombert wrote: post #585

I doubt it’s going to happen, but a part of me prays that people will eventually get sick Microsoft’s increasing bullshit and it really can become the Year of the Linux Desktop. Gnome has genuinely gotten pretty great in the last couple years, and I think a lot of former Windows would genuinely like it if they gave it a chance, and virtually any Linux you install will have less tracking bullshit than Windows. I suspe…

I made the move two years ago and it's going great. Currently running Debian 13. Gaming was the last thing for me but in my case, that's no longer an issue thanks to the Steam Deck.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#648

Post by pcardoso »

MarcelOlsz wrote: post #633
logifail wrote: post #625

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been using Win10 LTSC since it first shipped, but the pain of it just keeps on increasing (not being able to load the latest .Net; Teams and more and more other apps refuse to run despite the OS still being "in support" now and for many years to come). Any tips for moving to Win11 LTSC? (I've been avoiding Win11 for as long as I can...)

We're so screwed. Tahoe sucks so my Sonoma days are numbered. Win11 sucks and win10 days are numbered. On the other hand the rails guy released Omarchy linux which is pretty great but it will take months to make it usable.

I'm getting used to Linux again after 20+ years of Mac OS.

First, just using more cross-platform software on my Mac. Ditched Safari for Firefox; replaced my MacOS-only password manager; using iMessage less.

Bought the cheapest Framework 13 laptop, running stock Fedora. Omarchy is interesting but too weird for me. Gnome, is still familiar enough.

Using the Linux machine more and more, feels very fresh. To be honest not feeling this excited in a long time. Perhaps the year of Linux on the desktop is indeed coming.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#649

Post by giancarlostoro »

Night_Thastus wrote: post #598

My biggest annoyance is that I specifically bought a Windows 11 license, from the MS store, using my MS account. I did this because I assumed that if something went wrong, I would always be able to recover it. I could never 'lose' the key if it was tied to my account. Well unfortunately, MS screwed me. When I upgraded my PC I was apparently supposed to transfer the license before deleting the old PC from my account.…

Last I ever bothered to buy a CD key I got it off one of those gaming key sites. I have since moved on to Linux, but you can get a Pro key really cheap on those sites. I refuse to overspend to upgrade what should have been a computer with Windows Pro OOTB. If you spend over 2 grand on any computer you should not be getting Windows Home edition.

Re: Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without MS account

#650

Post by dijit »

paxys wrote: post #634
imglorp wrote: post #584

Notice all the potential revenue operations for Windows: exfil your data, show you ads, sell your data, sell you cloud services. All these things require you to have an identity. Windows is not the product any more.

Considering they are selling it for $140 it is very much the product.

sure and premium games that cost $90 don’t have any micro transactions in them.

Unfortunately, many MBAs will see it as leaving money on the table.

So yes, the product might cost some money, but that doesn’t mean it’s meeting financial targets, since they grow year on year.. but PCs as a market are not growing at the same rate.

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