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Useless Windows 10 Features

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Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#171

Post by starsinspace »

crispinb wrote: post #101
ilaksh wrote: post #38

In case people are really ambitious or adventurous and want to avoid all of this stuff completely, what Linux distro (or other open source OS) is currently trendiest/most useful/relevant? Is it still Ubuntu?

You're probably best off asking around on relevant forums about what works best on your particular machine. Of the mainstream distros, I found Fedora was by far the best OOB for my current laptop (XPS 15 9570), but I don't get the impression that's universally true. (Tangent: though likeable in many ways, Fedora was still too much fart-arsing about for me & after a few months I went back to Windows. I don't like it,…

Does Fedora come with support for playing back common media formats these days? Last time I tried, it didn't even play MP3s, just showing some dialog box about how it can't play that due to patents or something. To solve that IIRC it was needed to add some 3rd-party repository (which is always a bit worrying with having to trust them) to install the codec packages. Is that still the case with Fedora?

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#172

Post by IshKebab »

cookie_monsta wrote: post #85

I've installed Win10 on dozens of machines and I've never seen ads on the lock screen, in the taskbar, and in notifications like the article talks about. Maybe because I always say "no" to all those creepy tracking/advertising ID type options on the initial config screen and I always say no to Cortana at the same time. What I heard (and it seems reasonable) is that MS included games like Solitaire and Minesweeper in…

I suspect it is regional. Are you in America?

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#173

Post by NikkiA »

userbinator wrote: post #73
sys_64738 wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need to buy Pro as you can simply run it unactivated for years. I've done that without incident.

Wow, I had to check that it's already been "years" since Windows 10 was first released --- a little over 4, to be precise. No one I know actually likes it, the closest has been "tolerate". MS has done a great job of dragging its users through the mud and beating them into submission.

I love it, tried to go back to 7 and couldn't, it just feels so awkward and unrefined now.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#174

Post by NikkiA »

Nition wrote: post #77
sys_64738 wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need to buy Pro as you can simply run it unactivated for years. I've done that without incident.

If you have a Windows 7 key, it's also a valid Windows 10 key.

Yeah, but only for the hardware you have - the upgrade path seems to force you to a 10 OEM license, I went 7 pro (non-oem) to 10 pro, then changed motherboard, so had to buy a new copy of 10 pro oem, then that CPU stopped working and had to buy a new CPU & motherboard, and so finally I'm on running my own KMS server - fuck paying for windows a 3rd time.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#176

Post by gurkendoktor »

cVwEq wrote: post #92
cookie_monsta wrote: post #85

I've installed Win10 on dozens of machines and I've never seen ads on the lock screen, in the taskbar, and in notifications like the article talks about. Maybe because I always say "no" to all those creepy tracking/advertising ID type options on the initial config screen and I always say no to Cortana at the same time. What I heard (and it seems reasonable) is that MS included games like Solitaire and Minesweeper in…

Same here, but maybe the difference is that we install Windows 10 Pro whereas the author is a Windows 10 Home user? The article doesn't seem to state the version they are using. Most annoying is that there are a large number of little bits of functionality that phone home or send information out into the ether: Windows Defender and its submitting of samples, searching via the Windows button, Task Scheduled telemetry…

> maybe the difference is that we install Windows 10 Pro whereas the author is a Windows 10 Home user

No, every installation of Windows 10 Pro I've seen had a start menu that was mostly ads (links to Candy Crush, Spotify, Office etc.) - I've also had the OS nag me about giving Edge a second chance.

This is in Germany, in case the region matters, and I always deny all spyware as far as possible using the GUI.

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#177

Post by hanselot »

ilaksh wrote: post #38

In case people are really ambitious or adventurous and want to avoid all of this stuff completely, what Linux distro (or other open source OS) is currently trendiest/most useful/relevant? Is it still Ubuntu?

MxLinux has topped distrowatch for several weeks now, dethroning Manjaro. Both are super simple to install and have excellent free support, provided by people who care about the software they provide. Manjaro doesn't have a 32bit release afaik, but MxLinux seems to have one, if you need to resurrect one of those ancient machines from the early 2000's. (In case this is your objective, remember to disable vsync in the window manager tweaks menu).

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#178

Post by bscphil »

cannonedhamster wrote: post #25
jayalpha wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great post. I don't use windows but my girl does. Her compi (Win 10, SSD, 8 GB Ram, i7) has become unusable slow. She does not much besides watching Movies, surfing and using Word. I installed a free reliable antivirus (Avira) when she got it. I will have to look into this problem soon. Any further suggestion? I will definitely try your recommended programs.

I say this in all seriousness, Linux is probably a better experience if that's all she does. Give something like Ubuntu or elementary os test run with a live version and see if she's missing anything you'll either find out she needs Office specifically or it will probably work for her. Linux right now is in a great spot for people who need little customization and people who really love to tinker. If you're in the mi…

Story: when my partner's several year old computer was running slowly, I convinced them to try dual booting Linux. Encountered a few problems here or there, but I could help with those. A couple years on, they wiped the old Windows partition because they weren't using it any more. Today they're still using the (now 6-7 year old) computer because it's running fast enough.

On the other hand, they ended up learning some Python and shell scripting as a result, and will probably switch to Arch Linux when the computer is eventually replaced (soon). So while your S.O. might handle Linux just fine, you also run the risk of turning them into an OS nerd. ;-)

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#179

Post by zsrxx »

fortran77 wrote: post #43
zsrxx wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then pirate it. What do you care? This is like pirating a show they refuse to put on Netflix. They don't give you the option to conveniently buy what you want, so pirate it. Instructions on how to activate your installation of LTSC here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19420337

How would you feel if I gave detailed instructions on how to rob _you_?

If I had billions in the bank and you gave detailed instructions on how to pick up the breadcrumbs I leave on the table of a restaurant, I wouldn't give a shit. But if they care so much they are welcome to break into my house and take my computer

Re: Useless Windows 10 Features

#180

Post by tdhttt »

browsermostly wrote: post #169
tdhttt wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What drives me away from Chrome on Windows is the very short freeze you have after you let the page idle for a while and try to scroll again. It was introduced earlier this year, I think.

That sounds more like your pc has performance issues. I have no short freezes when using chrome on windows.

I am using a decent gaming rig, so I don’t think it is the performance issue. I think it might be related to the touchpad. Are you using mouse for scrolling?
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