• SHITPOSTING_ACCOUNT@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      Came here to make this (half)joke.

      Sadly, it’s not just a joke, it’s also the only way to actually do this.

      • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        It’s not such a joke for about 70 percent of the people who use a computer. All most people do is use the internet, write a document or two and check their email (most of the time using a web based service).

        All of which can be done by any OS.

        The only reason anyone would want Microsoft is if they specifically ran a program that required Windows … most will say that MS Word runs better on Windows which is true but most people I know write or view the most basic documents that any word processing software is more than adequate.

        And even if MS word is required by your school or work … get them to pay for the OS and the word processing software.

        Otherwise, the majority of the people I know with a computer only use it as a glorified tablet to access the internet and browse social media … all of which can be done with the most basic Linux distro that won’t hassle you with annoying popups asking you to do things you shouldn’t even be thinking about.

        • ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.de
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          1 year ago

          There is virtually no difference between running Word 2007 on modern Windows or under Wine, and I don’t need to use 365 (which is pushy about features in the Home tab and had a terrible redesign). I might pirate Office 2013 at some point if its compatibility rating increases. Still, I prefer LibreOffice unless I need to share the document.

    • Little1Lost@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      I’d just like to interject for a moment. What you’re refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

      Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called Linux, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

      There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine’s resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called Linux distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux!

      But seriously: another comment here points out some tool

        • PrinzMegahertz@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Tbh, I installed Mint on my gaming pc and all the games I‘m currently playing (mostly cities skylines and mechabellum) and everything worked out of the box. Mechabellum performes a bit worse than on Win11 but it‘s good enough to enjoy the game.

            • PrinzMegahertz@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Both are handled through steam (cloud and workshop subscriptions) so both saves and mods were automatically synced after installation.

              That being said, you have to manually enable the mods within CS, but you have to do that under windows as well after a fresh installation.

              However, I‘m missing some buildings (the european looking schools), but I didn‘t bother yet to find out what happened to them.

        • thekarion@lemmy.blue
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          1 year ago

          Linux has been a great gaming experience for me. Optimizations and what not make my games run faster than they ever did on windows. Also not being able to play rainbow six siege is a plus in my book

        • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          I literally haven’t had a problem gaming on Linux since I switched over two years ago

  • JoBo@feddit.uk
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    1 year ago

    Got this via Mastodon which will not let me search for the source.

    If you’re in the US, when you set up Windows for the first time, select English (Europe) or English (World), not English (US). That will stop it installing all the bloatware that US citizens are not protected from but everyone else is.

    • HidingCat@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      It’s definitely a US thing, I’m on English (Singapore) and have not seen an ad, ever. I was perplexed by all the complaints of ads in the start menu and wherever, until someone pointed to me that it was a US thing.

    • provomeister@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      You must switch back to English (US) after installation if you want access to Microsoft Store (and even if you don’t, you probably should because most apps are now there).

      I’ve seen a few tools to suppress most telemetry such as ChrisTitusTech’s winutil or O&O ShutUp, maybe you could give that a try. Microsoft is really pushing hard Bing & Edge…

      Also, as a Linux user, I must obliged to the rules and say there’s alternatives out there if you want to try something new. :-) !linux@lemmy.ml

      • Cjwii@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        What exactly are you getting from the Microsoft app store out of curiosity?

        • provomeister@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          Windows Terminal + WSL, everything related to Xbox if you’re using Gamepass or “Play anywhere” titles (Xbox/PC cross-buy).

          Most basics apps are from the Microsoft app store too; calculator, calendar, paint, etc.

          It’s been a hot minute since I’ve used Windows, but you’d be surprise how much apps are now updated through that app store.

          If your device use Windows in S mode, all your apps must come from the store & you must use Edge.

          • Cjwii@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            Ah okay, I didn’t know people used it that way and I don’t do XBox game pass or anything like that. It makes sense. My only real experience with windows store apps has been my work computer trying to install a “personal use” version of Microsoft teams from there and apparently I had to get the professional version through M365 downloads.

    • simonced@lemmy.one
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      1 year ago

      We leave in Japan, and my wife had that popup once already (using Brave on Win10 - surface laptop)

      • provomeister@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        From what I’ve seen online, it must be done during installation. So short answer, no.

        As others have said, you could also backup your data and do a fresh installation (from a boot media, not from Windows itself just to be extra safe).

        ThioJoe also has a video talking about this English (Europe/World) thing and also provide a Powershell script to delete Windows bloatware. This option could be interesting if you don’t want to reset your whole installation.

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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        1 year ago

        I like how anyone who mentions Linux is now a neckbeard. If you even dare to complain about how shit MS has become (they’ve always been shit, but it’s more obvious now) then you’re somehow a neckbeard. You didn’t say the solution wasn’t valid, just attacked them because there isn’t another solution. Put up with MS’s shut, Apple’s shit, or find a Linux distro that suits you. Your choice.

        • DarienGS@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          No one has a problem with complaints about Windows, it’s the “just install Linux lol” mentality that invites mockery.

          • mimichuu_@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            You can choose whatever you want for whatever reason you want, but don’t spread misconceptions on the internet. With Proton, if you install a newb distro there is literally no reason to touch the commandline at all for what you want to do.

            • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              The fuck is a distro? Linux bros can’t say a single sentence about how “easy” Linux is without using some terminology that proves it would actually take quite a bit of research for someone unfamiliar to make the switch. People don’t want to do that. They want an OS that works without having to take a mini CS course.

              You really don’t seem to understand how big the gap is. The things you think are easy or intuitive are far from it. Most people can’t even figure out how to download something from GitHub, and you think Linux is right for them?

              • spiderplant@lemm.ee
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                1 year ago

                People don’t want windows either, they just use it because it came preinstalled.

                Yes there are people who will never install any alternative OS for themselves but there are plenty of people who would if they knew about other viable options.

                I’m willing to bet most Linux users used to be windows users at some point. So its not futile to evangelise.

                Also pick a noob distribution/flavour such as pop_os and the installation is no different than installing windows. Download your browser, steam and office tools and just use it.

          • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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            1 year ago

            You can do all that with Linux and there are plenty of distros where you minimally need to use the terminal or don’t at all. Linux has distros for people who want windows without Microsoft. You only need the terminal if you’re a power user.(Android is Linux, but you never hear anyone complain about having to use the terminal or anything. Linux is the most used OS in the world, you just don’t realize it because it can be anything.)

            It’s funny that people can have opinions without any actual knowledge. It’s a weird thing. How does that even happen? We can feel very strongly about things, and often so strongly that we ignore all countering information just so we can maintain our beliefs, as if it’ll hurt us to change them. Humans are weird.

  • Swarfega@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Edge/Windows is literally the technological equivalent of an obsessive ex-girlfriend.

  • Sused@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 year ago

    Use software like shutupwin10 or various other open source debloat scripts to remove a shit-ton of annoying features in windows. Or, as lemmy galaxy-brains would have it, JuSt uSe LiNuX

  • dangblingus@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    How about you galaxy brain “just switch to linux” people actually give some helpful advice? Clearly there’s a registry edit that can be made for Windows users that would take all of 5 seconds to complete, rather than an entire week formatting, installing, reconfiguring an entirely new OS that also requires a degree of command line knowledge.

    • Jocker@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Spend a “week” installing mosquito net >> spend 5 sec for each mosquito

      I don’t want to force anyone to use Linux, but everyone have the choice, to have a better experience.

      No, it doesn’t takes a week to install nor endless time of os configurations nor galaxy brain, in 2023.

      • gamer@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        And most games work, and most programs work, and for the rare ones that don’t you can use a Windows VM as long as you have just enough attention span to sit through a youtube tutorial

    • WagnasT@iusearchlinux.fyi
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      1 year ago

      yeah, it’s frustrating when they’re smug about it but I’d argue that suggesting an alternative where this issue doesn’t happen is helpful advice even if you don’t agree with it. I do agree that ‘just switch to linux’ is a gross oversimplification as there will be some growing pains and there are a few hurdles that may at present be unsurmountable. I also find it amusing that you present digging up registry hacks and fighting for control over your system for the rest of time to be easier than a modern linux installer that takes about 5 minutes to click through the gui with no command line knowledge needed. I guess the point is that you should use whatever you’re comfortable with, but if you haven’t tried linux in a while you might find it to be less of a fight than windows is becoming.

      • moormaan@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        This… is actually true. I’ll concede that even as recently as 4, 5 years ago it might have not been entirely true, but now it is - Linux has become so accessible (look at Mint, Pop_OS) while Windows has (somehow) become even more hostile to its user base to the point that an average user would actually have an easier time switching than staying in the long term. I didn’t think I’d be able to write this with a straight face, but I honestly think this is now true.

    • TwilightVulpine@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I use Windows for gaming but if we need an in-depth technical solution every time Microsoft comes up with some new annoying BS, maybe Linux users have a point to suggest something else. It’s not like the Registry is exactly intuitive to the average user.

    • Contend6248@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      The person asks to get rid of these messages, there is no fucking way, it’s their platform, their rules, deal with it or leave it.

      So stfu with your whiney “why Microsoft” posts and do something about it.

      You get rid of 50 messages and 300 will come a week after that, they are knowing what they’re doing.

      The next feature upgrade will reset your little PowerShell scripts anyway.

    • Saneless@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      I like Linux and used it as my only OS for a decade but I play games and have to use MS Office. But thanks

      • moormaan@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        Proton for gaming on Linux has come a long way. You still cannot get to 100% parity with all games and programs, and if you absolutely need something that isn’t supported on Linux, you are out of luck, but chances are that most people would actually be able to use everything they need. I understand there’s also the learning curve and not everyone has time or inclination, but for those that do, in 2023 it’s absolutely worth a try.

        • Saneless@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          I don’t think the Fanatec drivers and or driving profile software would work, so I haven’t even bothered.

          Games themselves would mostly work, given my experience with the steam deck. But I have a lot of gog games and I know that’s a hassle on it

      • WagnasT@iusearchlinux.fyi
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        1 year ago

        I find it a bit ironic that the thing that made it easier to ditch windows completely was o365 web apps, they’re actually decent if you have to use them. Thanks microsoft.

        I think the just use linux voices are getting louder because every day more things just work out of the box, it may not quite be there for everyone yet but it’s getting better every day.

    • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Microsoft will never stop developing new ways to be anticompetitive leeches on society. You learn how to use one debloating tool, they’ll take the developer of that debloating tool to court and have it pulled from circulation. You learn what registry key to edit, they’ll change it. You get used to a menu, they’ll remove it.

      You have a choice: 1, You can continue that arms race with a monstrous evil megacorp, which you will continue to lose, or 2, you can switch to a platform that doesn’t treat you this way in the first place.

      Linux Mint among many others has a feature complete GUI which will provide anything the average user needs, including a graphical app “store” for installing software. The desktop paradigm is quite similar to Windows, it will be mostly familiar. The CLI is frankly easier to deal with than Windows’ endless and redundant series of settings menus and applications. When someone asks for help on a text-based forum like StackOverflow or Reddit or Lemmy, it’s easier to tell them “Open a terminal and copy-paste lshw -f” than it is to tell them “Open the Start menu and click Programs > Administration >Regedit then look for a thing that says win11embraceextendextinguish and toggle that from 1 to 0, and do this after every update because it automatically changes it back.”

      Linux does not require a week to install. Windows does. My father bought a new Dell about the time I built my little Ryzen box I’m typing this on. It took him over a week to wipe the factory Win 10 Dell Bloatware Edition image for vanilla Win 10, fuck around with drivers, then manually go to individual software websites, download installers, run them, haul out CDs and DVDs and install software (including Office 2010, the damned old chad) one at a time, then restore a backup of his files…He was actively engaged with this task for over a week. I had it done in about three hours, most of which I actually spent trimming my hedges while waiting for files to download or transfer from an external HDD. It was a 100% GUI process; I didn’t open a terminal throughout.

      Sure, Linux is different than Windows and this will take some learning. Just like Windows does every time they come out with a new version and you have to learn where they arbitrarily rearranged basic functions to this time. When I switched to Linux a decade ago, it was a similar process in going from Win 98 to Win XP, or XP to 7. Except after awhile the basic reorientation finished, and I started learning new things.

    • eee@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      People who spend half their free time troubleshooting a simple driver install on their OS need to feel like it’s worth it, hence they justify it by their sense of superiority. Sunk cost.

      • gamer@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        “Driver install” is mainly a windows thing. Linux ships with drivers that just work out of the box for nearly everything, with the only notable exception being Nvidia‘s proprietary drivers. However, every distro streamlines the installation process for that since it’s so common (And Nvidia is slowly moving towards open source anyways)

        The first time you connect a printer to your linux machine and you find that it just fucking works is when you will see the light.

    • 1984@lemmy.today
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      1 year ago

      I’m really surprised people still run windows. Sure, it works, but it’s really really annoying.

      But yes, people don’t care, I know.

    • miridius@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Yeah then instead of spending seconds closing a popup you can spend days troubleshooting driver issues

      • phoenixz@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        What driver issues? Granted, some hardware has driver issues, but loads (most, even, considering all the legacy hardware that is supported?) hardware is installed easier than on windows as it simply works without installing a blue ray worth of bloatware to get a printer to work , it simply works out of the box.

        I’ve used Linux for over 20 years now for my desktops and laptops with a wide variety of hardware and software and yeah, I’ve had some issues here and there but nothing as bad as windows. Ignoring Nvidia cards specifically, last time I had a driver issue was… over 5 years ago? 7 maybe?

        Grantedz it’s a personal anecdote, but still. Linux “never working due to drivers” is something that want even an issue anymore since over 10-15 years ago.

        These days even most (if not all) games work on Linux as well. There is a reason why even Microsoft uses Linux for their shitty Azure platform

  • gamer@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Write a complaint to the CMA about Microsoft’s anti-competitive and anti-consumer behavior.