windows 10 to be free

[kregoron]

The rule of Microsoft does dictate that W10 is going to be a decent release

W10 - good
W8 - bad
W7 - good
Vista - bad
XP - good
ME - bad
98Se - good
98 - bad
95 - good

I think for anyone using Windows (or any OS for that matter bar Linux) a crucial step is to turn off the rubbish. So for W10 it's all the Bing, Cortana, Live Tiles, Windows store, forced update, Live account login...... nonsense. Basically de Microsoft your Windows install. Once it's stripped back to just an operating system it's not at all bad.

Not that rubbish list again, its wrong, hence its fail.

W10 - good
w8.1 - good
W8 - bad
W7 - good
Vista - bad
Xp prof 64 - bad (yes its different as its built on a different NT core then XP)
XP - good
ME - bad
2k - good
98Se - good
98 - bad
NT - ok
95 - good

List is not even complete.
List is also a matter of opinion, i for one hated XP in any form or fashion the first two years.

Dont kill Cortana, shes hawt and fun! or something..


[ATTACH=CONFIG]3290[/ATTACH]

[smilodon]

No you're completely wrong.
NT and 2K don't count they were not consumer OS's,
8.1 was an emergency fix for crap OS that just made it a bit less crap, effectively trying to turn it back into Windows 7
XP prof 64 also not a standard consumer build. Also I've never heard of it and suspect you're just making it up....... which is my standard response when anyone proves me wrong!

So I'm right and everyone else is wrong :crazy:

[kregoron]

No you're completely wrong.
NT and 2K don't count they were not consumer OS's,
8.1 was an emergency fix for crap OS that just made it a bit less crap, effectively trying to turn it back into Windows 7
XP prof 64 also not a standard consumer build. Also I've never heard of it and suspect you're just making it up....... which is my standard response when anyone proves me wrong!

So I'm right and everyone else is wrong :crazy:

I ran 2k for years.. 2k was a brilliant consumer os, when you just learned how to use it.
8 and 8.1 does not share the same kernel nor revision number. 8.1 is just as much a upgrade to 8, as 7 was to vista. Neither way the list still fails, no valid manipulation can fix that.

Windows XP prof 64 bit was not based on the same code as normal xp. Tho it was possible the most horrible os MS ever built, worse tehn vista, with even less drivers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition
yet its no to be mistaken for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, as that was built for itanium, but still belonged to the XP line.

soooo now you own me a pie, a big one! Cake for everyone is on smilodon, just because its him!

[Gorion]

As for the apps, have you ever tried looking your Iphone/android apps? you have any idea what they got access to?

Cyanogen with Privacy Guard.

Apps can request whatever the hell they want.  They only get what I want to give them.

Example, my install of QR Droid.  Doesn't need most of the stuff it asks for, apart from the bloody camera does it?  And here's how I fix the whole "All your mobile data are belong to us" BS:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3291[/ATTACH]


These sort of restrictions apply to every single application on my mobile.  With the only exception being anti-theft, and anti-viral software, simply because they are a necessary evil.


PS.  You cannot disable W10 updates unless you go enterprise.  If you still hack the updates out, I read that they can kick you out of their update program.  If this still counts, I have no idea as I have heard it some time ago.


Regarding win2k, simlo is kind of right there.  It was aimed as a server OS.   And 8.1 can be listed down as a big ass service pack to fix the unprocessed garbage w8 was.  XPx64 was a server 2003 which included some XP client features..

[kregoron]

Cyanogen with Privacy Guard.

Apps can request whatever the hell they want.  They only get what I want to give them.

Example, my install of QR Droid.  Doesn't need most of the stuff it asks for, apart from the bloody camera does it?  And here's how I fix the whole "All your mobile data are belong to us" BS:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3291[/ATTACH]


These sort of restrictions apply to every single application on my mobile.  With the only exception being anti-theft, and anti-viral software, simply because they are a necessary evil.


PS.  You cannot disable W10 updates unless you go enterprise.  If you still hack the updates out, I read that they can kick you out of their update program.  If this still counts, I have no idea as I have heard it some time ago.


Regarding win2k, simlo is kind of right there.  It was aimed as a server OS.   And 8.1 can be listed down as a big ass service pack to fix the unprocessed garbage w8 was.  XPx64 was a server 2003 which included some XP client features..

Great you locked down your phone.. but that was not the point, my point was that android/iphone/whatever are just as intrusive as win10 privacy wise.

within a month, there will floating hacked/custom win10 iso's around with locking apps that can restrict the data too...

If your read my previous post, MS released a KB, that allows you to hide updates, nobody knows how MS wants to enforce, tho yes blocking out certain security updates for more then 8-12 months, can get you blocked from receiving updates, and use certain services. I bet MS took this road, as after that long without security updates, your device can't be trusted by MS anymore..... which makes valid sense.

No win2k was never marketed as a server platform, prof consumer platform. and it had full consumer functionality...... w8.1 use different code then 8, and had a different core, the difference on those two, was just as big as between vista & 7.
win xp prof 64 was realeased as a prof consumer OS and shared codebase with 2003 yes, but it was marketed as a consumer os.

[TeaLeaf]

Ding! Ding!  End of round 1.

[Tutonic]

Just to weigh in on a completely pointless argument....

Win 2000 was released in both Client and Server editions (and an Advanced Server if I remember correctly...).

Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk

[kregoron]

Ding! Ding!  End of round 1.

Awwww i haven't even finished my pie

Sendt fra min LG-D855 med Tapatalk

[kregoron]

Just to weigh in on a completely pointless argument....

Win 2000 was released in both Client and Server editions (and an Advanced Server if I remember correctly...).

Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk

Indeed and a datacenter server edition.

Sendt fra min LG-D855 med Tapatalk

[ReddFour]

Now my issues with nvidia drivers seem to be resolved, I'm really liking this OS. I agree that some of the privacy stuff and the p2p updates should be disabled by default and require you to opt in especially the p2p updates.

I'm on BT Infinity unlimited but my parents are on the capped one. It's outrageous to think that MS think it is acceptable by default to use people's bandwidth which might be capped.

I have it all switched off now. Other than that I'm impressed. I hated Win8.

[albert]

I upgraded my Samsung ATIV slate, forgot to remove Custom Shell, no problems it was disabled after upgrade and I uninstalled it. 2 important apps from Samsung wouldn't install, not MS problem.

So far seems the same as Windwos 8.1 to me. Which is good

[smilodon]

A while back Microsoft started a campaign against Google targeting the way Google collects 'signals' about their users activities, likes, dislikes, purchases, sexual fetishes, interests, location, fruitless searches fro the name of the girl you fancied in high school so you can see if she grew up to be as hot as you still imagine she might be etc and then provide relevant results, timely information and creepily targeted advertising. Basically they trashed the whole Google business model, which is 'tell us about yourself and we'll show you stuff you want to know. We'll also show you ads you might actually be interested in which will fund the whole thing and means you don't have to pay us a penny for GMail, Docs, You Tube, Android, Maps, turn by turn navigation etc.' Microsoft called this evil process being 'Scroogled by Google'. They also claimed that Microsoft would never do such a dreadful thing to their users... oh no.

So now that Microsoft is doing exactly the thing they said they would never do, and are basically copying what the evil Scroogle Google does, it might also be worth checking through a few settings and turning some stuff off. In a nutshell Microsoft are tracking users activities, how they use W10, where they are, what they search for, what music they listen to, where they get totally lost inside Microsoft's operating systems, what TV they watch etc. so as to better serve them useful content and information. Fine they are trying to be Google. No problems there. They are also (and this may be why W10 is free) providing that information to advertisers so we can be fed meaningful, relevant and creepy advertising. Also no problem as long as they are being transparent about it. Actually Microsoft and Google etc don't actually pass anything on to advertisers, that's a bit of a misconception. In fact they guard very carefully the information they hold about their users. It's a very valuable commodity and they're not about to give it to a 3rd party. Advertisers only buy access to Microsoft's users. They never get the data. So company X might ask Microsoft for the ability to display a specific advert to all UK based users, aged over 30 who have a Bronie obsession. Microsoft takes the advert and shoves it in front of all users that fit that description. Company X gets nothing about the users from Microsoft. Only when a user clicks a link and starts uncontrollably buying small toy horses from Company X itself does information actually pass to the company. Basically exactly the way Google works.

Microsoft doesn't make this very clear in their 45 page Windows 10 T&C's, in fact they don't really discuss the process at all when you install W10. In fairness Google, Apple etc aren't that forthcoming either. Regardless though, out of the box we appear to be bleeding personal data to Microsoft at an alarming rate. So what to do.

First don't log into Windows with a Microsoft account. That shouldn't be an issue as most people don't actually use Outlook mail as their main email. I know, in a world that has Gmail why would they? Exactly. So bin it and log in with a local account. You won't be able to use One Drive or the Microsoft Store though. That's actually a good thing as I'm trying to think of a downside to not using One Drive but can't. Use Dropbox and/or Google Drive which both actually work. As for Microsoft Store there is a rumour that they are going to start selling apps that are useful and not already available from software vendors directly, but as yet that's unconfirmed. Until then it's much easier to use the Chrome Browser and enjoy their App store. Also Firefox (my browser of choice) has an App Market Place and it's not at all bad either. I hear Apple has a little App Store too and sell a couple of bits and bobs as well. Basically Windows App Store is just Microsoft being silly and you shouldn't encourage them.

Second jump into the privacy section in 'settings' and turn everything off in all the sections. It's all useless with the possible exception of the Weather App. Photo's, files and music can all be looked after in far better services than Microsoft can offer. Have you looked at Groove Music? I know it's laughable isn't it.

Third find Cortana and murder her. Have no mercy, she's pointless. She's also utterly unfaithful and whispers everything you tell her straight back to Microsoft. Be strong and get rid of her. She's sort of like Pretty Siri's ugly friend that follows her about hoping to pick up any blokes Siri casts off. In fact don't use either Siri or Cortana. They're both virtual female assistants which for a bloke is just creepy. It's like having an imaginary girlfriend. Have you seen the adverts for these  services? Men flirting with a voice coming out of a mobile phone or laptop is just wrong. At least Google Now

Forth really don't try out any of the Windows Apps like Mail, Cortana, Groove, Photo's and the mysterious Edge, whatever Edge is. OK that's asking the impossible I know. It's like driving past a car crash and not having a look to see if you can spot any body parts. It can't be done. So go have a play with them just to confirm that they're as pointless and terrible as people say. Then go have a shower, you'll feel all clean again.

[Penfold]

Good post Smilo.

How about posting the pertinent bits into the Cyber Security thread.

[Tutonic]

Nailed it Smilo.

You can all go home now.

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[ReddFour]

If you swap to a local account can you still use the XBox App. I rather like it and wouldn't mind swapping to it from Steam *IF* it ever became popular enough with developers.