Why are newer versions of Windows considered spyware?
So, back in the day, you paid for a Windows license. An exorbitant amount unless you had a .edu email. You paid once, and they left you the fuck alone. No data/telemetry collection; MS had gotten its pound of flesh and was quite content to wait until a new version came out so you could either pay another license fee or just buy a new computer.
Now, the OS is functionally free because you are the product.
I picked up a mini PC a couple of years ago with Win11 Pro, 16GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD for $99. Only a few versions prior, a full license cost more than this whole machine, and some inflation happened in the interim.
If you have a pihole, it becomes immediately apparent just how often Windows is attempting to phone home. This is what’s commonly referred to as “surveillance capitalism.”
I’m going to guess you also use Facebook if any of this is a surprise to you.
A full license still costs more than the whole machine, assuming you just want to buy a license. The machine you bought probably had an OEM license on it though, which is priced differently. Also, there are cheaper places to buy Windows keys online, so nobody should really be spending $200 on a license for their home machine.
Why it costs $200 for pro and they still try to sell you shit in the settings menu is beyond me. I’m still on the hunt right now for a Linux distro I like that isn’t a nightmare to maintain with a modern NVIDIA GPU though, so I’m stuck with it for now.
I pity the fool who pays full price for a Windows license. I of course immediately formatted and switched to Linux.
I have a 2080 and have been running Pop_OS as my only OS for about 6 months now. It has been incredibly solid. I have also heard Bazzite is good, but have only tried it on an old MacBook with dual GPUs. It did not do great there, but I think that is an issue with the laptop, not bazzite
I wonder how the place that sold me the license for Windows 11 Pro for $6 did it. It still works for some reason.
It’s spyware because they sell every possible piece of data they can get away with to data brokers. Like most of Silicon Valley, they are expected to have ever increasing profits that are completely unrealistic so they have to do fucked up shit that users hate to appease shareholders. Publicly traded companies are eating themselves because they’re all controlled by a handful of private equities now. Also, their disastrous AI implementation is leaving a lot of security holes as well. A lot of the world is moving to Linux for good reason
date brokers
I believe you meant ‘data brokers’.
If they were actually date brokers, I shouldn’t be single.
So you take a small round slice from a fresh baguette and toast it. While still hot you put some brie or camembert on the toast. The point is for the cheese to get a little sweaty byt not runny. Finally cut a date open, pit it, spread it on top of the cheese. Heaven.
This is the most French comment I’ve seen in ages.
My bad. Didn’t proofread carefully.
Easier to link am article than write one myself.
I only glanced through this one, it may not be 100%,but it gets the salient points.
The problem mostly exists on Windows Home versions, since they’re not managed by am orga izatkom. Plus during initial setup it makes it seem like a Microsoft account is required, which means MS collects a lot of activity data about you.
I only run Pro, and disable many of these unused services with tools like O&O Shutup and setting specific registry keys.
Can those services and registry keys be disabled on Home editions as well?
Unfortunately no. Home edition will actively ignore Group Policies and Registry keys relating to privacy.
You would be better off using a 10 Pro license or pirating 10 Pro and keeping it from phoning home.
Is it possible to convert an existing Home installation to a Pro installation without completely wiping the system and reinstalling everything?
Yes, Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation will give you an offer to upgrade your edition of Windows or change your product key.
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No. Not without paying a hefty license upgrade fee (Retail copy) or doing something incredibly shady. (Piracy tools which I won’t specifically name but I’m sure you can find and likely know the dangers of obtaining for some users.)
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