My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore • Hacker News Board

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#221

Post by sandreas » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:48 AM UTC

OptionOfT wrote: post #14

I can't even remove 'Recommended' from the start menu, not even on a Pro for Workstations. Every time I search on the start menu there is a web search, impossible to turn off. How is that acceptable? I install Edge Beta to test something, and the I uninstall it. All of the sudden my search provider in my normal Edge is reset. And the nagging everywhere. No I don't want 'back-up' my files (OneDrive is not backup, it's…

Here are some things I found helpful using Windows at work (at home I use Fedora):

Debloat / Software Management: https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil

Command line software management (Scoop): https://pilabor.com/blog/2021/12/automate-windows-app-setup-...

Comparison (Scoop/Chocolatey/Win-Get): https://daftdev.blog/2024/04/01/chocolatey-vs-scoop-vs-winge...

I would also recommend starship (https://starship.rs/) for your Powershell, which is cross platform and therefore usable for all popular shells. Scoop can also install and manage nerd fonts:

    scoop bucket add nerd-fonts
    scoop install nerd-fonts/JetBrains-Mono

Here is my starship.toml config:

    format="$all\u001b7${fill}$cmd_duration | $time\u001b8"
    
    [fill]
    symbol = " " 
    
    # right_format = """$cmd_duration$time"""
    
    [username]
    show_always = true
    format = '[$user[@](red)]($style)'
    
    [hostname]
    ssh_only = false
    format = "[$ssh_symbol$hostname]($style): "
    
    [time]
    disabled = false
    format = '[$time]($style)'
    
    [character]
    success_symbol = '[>](bold green)' 
    
    [git_branch]
    format = "[$symbol$branch(:$remote_branch)]($style)"
    
    [cmd_duration]
    min_time = 0 
    format = '   [$duration]($style) '
    show_milliseconds = true

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#222

Post by bruce511 » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:48 AM UTC

k8sToGo wrote: post #207

bruce511 wrote: post #189

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're getting downvoted, as will I, because presenting an alternative anecdotal experience isn't acceptable in Windows threads. I've learned this the hard way. Unfortunately just like the original post is anecdotal (I haven't had a machine fail to startup after an update since XP) not all anecdotes are born equal. Interestingly, I don't see adverts myself, and I've never seen any at work. I -suspect- that's heavily…

Yes you have to use what they ship. Because they force you to. You cannot turn off one drive nagging. You cannot turn off the start menu search. When installing windows these days you have to use a Microsoft account and so on. Yes there are work arounds, but that’s not for the average user. If I need to start tinkering and hack around in registries I might as well use Linux.

I confess I don't have a Microsoft account, and installed without one. I'm not sure how I did that, I guess I just passed on it. Every month or so it after a reboot it prompts me to "finish setting up my computer" and I just "remind me later".

I haven't touched the registry, so that's not in play.

OneDrive doesn't nag me.

As I said earlier this is all anecdotal, clearly your experience is different to mine. This post is just anecdotes, not data, and I'm not suggesting my experience is your experience.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#223

Post by gitaarik » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:50 AM UTC

msm_ wrote: post #175

rsanheim wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This illustrates just how ridiculously screwed up Windows is now. No one should have to resort to registry hacking or the many scripts or hacks available to regain control over basic UX, privacy, or usability selections. It is absolutely absurd.

To be fair, Linux configuration is not exactly straightforward in comparison to Windows. Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Linux lover and user, but from an outside perspective Windows registry…

With Linux you can configure it further to your taste. Which is not even necessary on most distributions for basic usage.

With Windows you have to patch it through the registry (which is not bsckupable config files) to remove ads and other annoying "features".

So the out-of-the-box experience is better with Linux. My mom even understands Linux GUIs better these days than Windows, it's just less bloat and distraction. And for basic apps you don't have to configure anything on the CLI. I recently got a Raspberry PI for my parents to use as a HTPC, installed some basic apps on it, and they can just use it like that.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#224

Post by Toutouxc » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:50 AM UTC

AlotOfReading wrote: post #166

lokar wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t understand the complaints about the software updates (IME they are all letting me know it will happen tonight unless I stop it). I asked me one time about safari. Over the life of each computer.

Macbooks won't apply updates unless you leave them plugged in overnight. If you do the totally normal thing of not charging a full battery, you get to enjoy the riveting experience of watching a slow update screen 30 minutes after you next use it.

But you don’t have to, macOS, AFAIK, will always ask you before it reboots into the logo-and-progress-bar update screen. Even if you manually launch the update, after it finishes the Preparing stage, it will again warn you that the machine is about to reboot, and gives you the option to cancel that. I’m genuinely curious about the sequence that leads to macOS forcing an update on you, I’ve never had that happen in my 10 years on a Mac.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#225

Post by gitaarik » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:51 AM UTC

userbinator wrote: post #179

giantrobot wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until some update resets all those values behind your back.

Would MS dare to do that to their enterprise customers who make up the majority of their Windows license revenue?

Yeah, that seems to happen according to the story posted, and in many comments here.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#226

Post by k8sToGo » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:53 AM UTC

trynumber9 wrote: post #211

naizarak wrote: post #206

Use LTSC, it's marketed for "enterprise" but it's functionally identical to the regular versions with the bonus of advanced configuration that lets you disable AV, forced updates, telemetry, ads, etc.

Where can I buy a license / key for LTSC? I looked on Microsoft's site but all it says is to contact their sales team. Did you have luck with that process? Usually when a company says 'contact sales' that means it is very expensive.

It is also not meant for regular PCs, so you won't be able to get a license legally.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#227

Post by BarryMilo » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:54 AM UTC

bongodongobob wrote: post #216

soared wrote: post #164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try completely removing one drive to understand the rest of our pain. Even if you manage to get the program gone, somehow the default file save location for many applications is still a (now deleted) one drive folder. If you forget and click save.. well now you have one drive again.

Don't. Do. That. Leave it alone, that's why Windows is breaking for you. You keep fucking with core components. It's not Linux. You can't do that and not suffer consequences.

Thus proving OP's point: it's not your computer.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#228

Post by arwineap » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:55 AM UTC

dr_ wrote: post #79

Although not non existent, I’ve found this to be less of an issue with the Surface laptops and look forward to trying the Surface CoPilot PCs. Have never had that much of an issue with Windows 11. I think Recall could be a useful feature once implemented. On non surface laptops, I still don’t understand why PC manufacturers are so beholden to McAfee?

McAfee pays the bridge trolls :)

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#229

Post by k8sToGo » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:55 AM UTC

guru4consulting wrote: post #47

can someone suggest tips to remove all the bloatware from HP/Dell/etc and reinstall a cleaner minimalistic windows in a laptop? How do I know all the compatible drivers that exactly map to my specific laptop? The vendor websites are sometimes ambiguous and I don't get the confidence that right drivers would be installed. If reinstallation is too much of a hassle, is there at least some kind of script that can remove…

If you want to make it easy, then the best way to go is to download Windows ISO from Microsoft. Then install Wifi driver if it is not working out of the box. Then install something like Dell Command Update to install the rest of the drivers.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#230

Post by chipdart » Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 5:58 AM UTC

bongodongobob wrote: post #216

soared wrote: post #164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try completely removing one drive to understand the rest of our pain. Even if you manage to get the program gone, somehow the default file save location for many applications is still a (now deleted) one drive folder. If you forget and click save.. well now you have one drive again.

Don't. Do. That. Leave it alone, that's why Windows is breaking for you. You keep fucking with core components. It's not Linux. You can't do that and not suffer consequences.

> You keep fucking with core components.

What exactly tells you that OneDrive a core component?