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Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

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Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#111

This is the kind of shenanigan that happens when you use an OS that literally has third party advertisements in its start menu

Well, in reality...

This is the kind of shenanigan that happens when you use an OS where the widespread norm is to run highly privileged executables with full access to your home (and desktop) dirs in order to install software. Or really uses full filesystem mutability for package/software installation.

Because I'd be willing to bet a pretty serious amount of money that someone tweaked the Edge MSI installer/updater package and accidentally re-triggered the "First Install Icon to Desktop" step on upgrades. Edge updates very, very frequently and Boom, bug.

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#112
post #39

I wonder what happens in case the desktop is full of other icons or even better: folders with important stuff). Get's one removed randomly to be replaced by Edge?

You realize that on windows at least, that the "desktop" is just a folder, and what you see as the desktop is just a rendering of that? In other words, there's no concept of limited amount of slots like you suggest, so if your desktop was entirely "full" and another item gets added, existing items don't get evicted.

Yes, sure. Sorry my comment was not that serious regarding loss of data. Now that I think about it something still has to happen regarding ordering / displacement of icons or something. Maybe it will be added to the folder but will not be shown.

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#114
post #69
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish there was a genuine Pro version of Windows I could pay for that didn’t have any of this.

Its called Windows 10 LTSC. I have been running it for years and everytime I use a non-LTSC version of Windows, i'm baffled by the amount of bullshit MS manages stuff in their OS. It's almost as if they are actively trying to make people leave their ecosystem.

I tried switching to ltsc, all was fine for a few months, then I hit an issue with a game (actually I think it was several games). After a long time googling I discovered it wasn't fixable in ltsc. I can't recall exactly what it was, but it was enough for me to switch back to pro (I have a msdn license at work so I have access to whatever windows iso and licenses I want).

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“ Linux is only free if your time has no value”

> “Linux is only free if your time has no value” This motto, although actually true in the past, is probably no longer valid. Install the latest Ubuntu/Kubuntu with KDE/Plasma and you get a high performance, GUI-configurable, aesthetically pleasing desktop. You will need to drop down to the Linux command line only if you need to pull off some kind of advanced networking, virtualization, etc. setup. (While you're at i…

GNOME is a joke for triple monitor, and KDE's multi-monitor support is somewhat broken.

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#116
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

LTSC doesn't, but it's not easily available through conventional retail channels. If you're putting a Windows machine in a kiosk, POS, machine, or similar commercial setting, though, LTSC is the way to go.

Weird thing is I use Surface kit, ie despite everything being from Microsoft I can’t pay them money to get a Windows (Workstation or LTSP) without ads.

>> I can’t pay them money to get a Windows (Workstation or LTSP) without ads.

If you could, they would be acknowledging that the ads were bad.

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#117
post #25

Here's a guide on how to prevent this from happening: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/01/21/how-to-block-microsoft-edg... > The workaround requires edits of the Registry. There is a global edit that applies to all Edge channels and edits for each individual version of the web browser.

> The workaround is to uninstall Windows

no HDR support

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#118
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Linux is also free and doesn't have this problem.

“ Linux is only free if your time has no value”

Time wasted. I tried to install Windows recently on a completely wiped laptop. I couldn't do it, it failed after partitioning or copying in several different ways. I find comments online that it might be sensitive to what USB drive is used (might be?). I had a license and an image from Microsoft and one from the laptop manufacturer, both failed the same way. I've installed a bunch of Linux distros on it in the past with no problem. When reinstalling a Mac you just go into recovery and net install.

I find it bizarre that windows is as bad as it is.

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#119

What if you delete it, and then make your own shortcut to something else and give it the exact same name Edge was using? Would it delete your shortcut, to make way for its own? Or would it see your shortcut and mistake it for its own?

I'm guessing it would create a new one called Microsoft Edge (1).lnk

Re: Tell HN: MS forcing Edge shortcut on desktop

#120

It happens when Edge updates which, like Chrome, happens fairly frequently so I can understand why you might think that it is forced. But you can delete it and not have it appear until Edge updates again. Note that Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of many that does the same thing, it used to do it, stopped for a while, and is now doing it again. My errant thought is that this sort of thing happens when the marketing depar…

Not only is the icon forced on you, the whole browser is.
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