How to upgrade to Windows 11 - most privacy, freedom and efficiency (lemmy.world)
from boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net to privacy@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 00:26
https://slrpnk.net/post/19979180

#privacy

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originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com on 26 Mar 2025 00:31 next collapse

you misspelled /c/funny

adespoton@lemmy.ca on 26 Mar 2025 00:31 next collapse

Er, your instructions don’t kill all the telemetry that makes Win11 so privacy invasive.

Unfortunately, your comments about security are spot-on — there have been a number of improvements in the latest Win11 releases that were never added to Win10.

So while Win10 can be tweaked to be a relatively private OS, you need to update to the latest Win11 for security, or switch to a non-Microsoft OS.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:10 collapse

Mind to tell me what is missing then? NextDNS or Portmaster could be used, but they add more complexity. And as said, Windows should not be considered a safe OS so hardening it is kinda useless

adespoton@lemmy.ca on 26 Mar 2025 14:51 next collapse

That’s the point. Windows 11 cannot be made to be a private OS. So you have to adjust your privacy model instead if you want to use it.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 19:35 collapse

Ok so there is no point?

What you said is mentioned in the post multiple times. Poorly, node.js garbage like Adobe creative garbage blocks Linux for no reason, so Windows is needed.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 21:09 collapse

Every OS nowadays need a good DNS server and better DNScrypt above. An app to control the traffic, like Portmaster or Pi-Hole is also recommended, irrelevant in which OS. Most activity of everyone is online and there is important to protect the privacy, because there is the biggest privacy hole, not in the OS but PEBCAC

deadcatbounce@reddthat.com on 26 Mar 2025 00:39 next collapse

Hahaha! Please someone. Help the poor darling.

He’s exactly a week early.

nargis@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 20:02 collapse

To be fair, a bunch of old scientific closed sourced applications run only on WinXP or 7. Maybe it’s aimed at those people. But I don’t know any that require 10 or 11 that don’t have alternatives…

deadcatbounce@reddthat.com on 26 Mar 2025 20:58 collapse

Then they need a VM with Win7, not to install that piece of parasitic garbage as a host OS.

Remind me of the community name/métier again, please?

nargis@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 27 Mar 2025 05:53 collapse

I don’t disagree lol

deadcatbounce@reddthat.com on 27 Mar 2025 07:40 collapse

Phew. You got me! Really had me going!

Xanza@lemm.ee on 26 Mar 2025 00:55 next collapse

lol wtf

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip on 26 Mar 2025 01:11 next collapse

  1. Go to linuxmint.com
  2. Download
  3. Write to usb with rufus
  4. Reboot using the usb
  5. Install
  6. Done
huquad@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 02:01 next collapse

Wow windows never looked so good!

lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 03:02 next collapse

🚀 😄

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:37 collapse

True. Windows 10 is atrocious. I have to say, a debloated Win11 feels almost too good.

So, lets focus on making Linux distros shiny and easy to use!

vfsh@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 26 Mar 2025 12:07 next collapse

If you don’t think the modern Linux distro are shiny and easy to use, how long has it been since you tried? There are plenty of feature complete distros that are shiny and modern and comfortable to start using as a lifelong windows user

huquad@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 12:55 next collapse

I tried switching to linux permanently three times. Each time it got easier and more polished until eventually I didn’t go back.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 13:58 next collapse

I am daily driving Linux…

Mainstream distros are not great products. Downstreams like uBlue do a good job, but have their own issues.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 20:53 collapse

I use PC before MS DOS times and I also used several Linux distros in the past, last Kubuntu and Mint, always in dual boot. But I never saw big advantages above a gutted Windows, but problems with a lot of apps which I needed. Currently I’m on a heavy cleaned W11 which works fast, stable and exactly how I want 100%, why because of this I have to change it, installing another OS? There are no practical reasons for it.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 20:38 collapse

That is the point, but Linux, as said above isn’t for everyone an option.

Comments in the web:

**Linux faces several key challenges that limit its broader adoption and effectiveness: **

  1. Software Compatibility Major commercial applications like Adobe Creative Suite and industry-standard business software often don’t run natively on Linux[^1]. While alternatives exist, they frequently lack feature parity or full compatibility with industry file formats.

  2. Hardware Support Complexity Device drivers and hardware compatibility remain inconsistent. According to ZDNET, even basic tasks like printer setup can require manual configuration[^3]. Multiple competing package formats (deb, rpm, flatpak, snap) create confusion for software installation[^13].

  3. Fragmented Development Focus The Linux ecosystem suffers from too many competing distributions and desktop environments. As MIT researcher Jonathan Birge notes, “It’s downright laughable that an OS with single digit market share would further dilute its market share by having two competing desktops”[^21].

  4. Learning Curve Despite improvements in user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu, Linux still requires more technical knowledge than Windows or macOS for many tasks[^1]. The command line remains necessary for certain operations, intimidating new users.

*(With this point I am not in total agreement, Windows with its plug & play and intuitive UI only SEEMS more simple, but to remove the bad habits, bloatware, telemetrias and other crap, are required a more advanced user to get it, entering quickly into Comanche territory. I think that Windows need a more advanced user as modern Linux distros) * 5. Support Structure Unlike commercial operating systems, Linux lacks centralized support. Users must rely on community forums and documentation that can be overwhelming for beginners[^13]. Enterprise-level support often requires expensive consulting contracts.

  1. Market Share Impact With desktop market share around 3%, many software vendors can’t justify developing and maintaining Linux versions of their applications[^21]. This creates a negative feedback loop - fewer applications lead to fewer users, which leads to less software development.

[^1]: 7 Reasons Why Linux Isn’t Dominating the Desktop OS Market - MUO

[^3]: Why don’t more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like - ZDNET

[^13]: What Are the Disadvantages of the Linux OS (Operating System)?

[^21]: Why Linux is failing on the desktop | Jonathan Birge

Summary: the best OS is allways the one which best fits the individual needs, a perfect OS for everyone don’t exist. Every OS has its drawbacks, certainly Windows the most, but at least it’s possible to fix.

lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 03:01 next collapse

I’d just replace Rufus with Ventoy. 😉

Best concept for a piece of software I’ve discovered after being a happy Rufus user for years. 🙂

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:11 next collapse

Guys can you please read the post before writing random nonsense.

  1. This is for people NEEDING windows only software
  2. Ventoy is useless for the things I want to achieve. Rufus allows to change a bunch of things with a single click, like offline account, cloud, telemitry, bitlocker
vfsh@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 26 Mar 2025 12:06 collapse

Ventoy is so goated, I used Rufus then Balena for ages, then YUMI, and finally Ventoy. I’ve got a 128gb tiny USB attached to my phone case with every OS and utility I could need with over 80gb still free for file storage. Being able to download an iso and copy it with no software is huge, like in an emergency I could download an ISO on my phone if needed

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:08 next collapse

You obviously didnt read the post

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip on 26 Mar 2025 11:24 next collapse

Why exactly would I waste my time reading about how to upgrade to Windows 11?

Edit: It was tongue and cheek. And apparently, all the upvotes got it. Well, you’re the only one who said anything about it.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:35 collapse

If it makes you happy to feel superior…

0x0@programming.dev on 26 Mar 2025 11:45 collapse

You obviously didn’t format it.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 14:01 collapse

Format what?

chaoticnumber@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 13:04 next collapse

I’m one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff’s kiss

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip on 26 Mar 2025 13:17 next collapse

Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.

chaoticnumber@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 13:27 next collapse

Yeah, its damn solid. In the same vein I am testing the atomic release of fedora, really hard to break that thing, same goes for bazzite.

Now i’m thinking … an atomic release of mint would be … wow

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip on 26 Mar 2025 13:32 collapse

I don’t know much about atomic releases. Is that in any way similar to immutable distros such as NixOS? If so, and you ran mid in that way, it ought to be damn near impossible to break.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 14:00 collapse

This. Is. About. People. Needing. Windows. Only. Software.

smee@poeng.link on 27 Mar 2025 08:25 collapse

I’d ask them to consider their dependence on windows only apps. If they want help with installing linux I’m happy to help, but I’m not an enabler there to help perpetuate their negative dependence.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 27 Mar 2025 11:14 collapse

You can’t do this if your job depends on using such software. And there is a ton

smee@poeng.link on 27 Mar 2025 14:14 collapse

Sure, many jobs require people to use unethical, but legal tools and methods. I used to work somewhere like that - and what ever OS they had installed was irrelevant because it was their equipment, their systems and I didn’t use work stuff for personal things.

But really, are you describing someone dependent on a job or someone dependent on certain windows-exclusive applications? Are they forced to use their personal equipment for work stuff?

marauding_gibberish142@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 13:58 collapse

Hardened Gentoo?

iamtherealwalrus@lemmy.world on 26 Mar 2025 19:44 collapse

I know you think you’re being clever. But what you really are is arrogant. Telling someone the answer to their problem is to do as you do, instead of helping them with their issue.

smee@poeng.link on 27 Mar 2025 08:22 collapse

I refuse to help people with installing any versions of windows out of ethical reasons, just like some tattooist refuse to tattoo people in the face or give them similarly stupid tattoos.

Yes, I’m arrogant enough to think I know better than those who haven’t considered the issue at all.

iamtherealwalrus@lemmy.world on 28 Mar 2025 16:22 collapse

It’s fine to refuse to help, but offering your unsolicited opinion on windows instead of helping is just rude.

smee@poeng.link on 28 Mar 2025 18:07 collapse

I think it’s a rather human thing to do, explaining oneself when refusing to lend a hand. I also think warning friends, family and those I care for about what I consider dangerous to be quite nice.

I suppose we just have to agree to disagree about how we interact and care for our fellow humans.

Madbrad200@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 01:19 next collapse

Lemmy users try not to be insufferable when Windows is mentioned (Challenge) (Impossible)

yunxiaoli@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 01:53 next collapse

The currently largest single source of ewaste in the world should be criticized at every turn.

EngineerGaming@feddit.nl on 26 Mar 2025 09:10 collapse

To be fair, while Microsoft is absolutely vile for such restrictions, I think people overestimate how many people would switch computers just to get Windows 11. It’s probably a concern for big corporations indeed, but regular users? I don’t think so. Most people don’t see anything wrong with staying on an OS that doesn’t receive updates. A lot of them already do so - on their phones, because the support is so short! I am now in the process of switching my father to Linux, and it’s genuinely hard to explain him why he has to get used to a different OS: his reaction to “But Windows 10 would no longer receive security updates!” is “So what?”. Windows 7 probably would’ve still had a high market share if 10 had a similar system requirements change.

yunxiaoli@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 14:27 collapse

Every work from home person and every corporate end point will be upgrading; simply due to legal liability for the corporations. That alone is hundreds of millions of pcs and laptops getting thrown out (because anyone in IT knows no corpo is going to pay the extra hours to recycle properly).

Average users with no liability? Plenty will stay on win 10 until their use case no longer works, i.e. when steam dropped win vista compatibility, but plenty will be scared enough to upgrade.

The weird part will be seeing who sidegrades to a tablet in the corporate environment. Many android tablets can do everything needed for office work, and don’t have the same security cross section. Most app front ends are electron anyway these days so its not like x86 is needed.

lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 05:29 collapse

I mean, this is about privacy, is it not? It’s pretty well-known by now that Windows mines your data.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 11:13 next collapse

It is clearly mentioned that

  1. A huge amount of people use Windows 10 or older. Being a privacy elietist does not change that
  2. This is for people needing windows software
  3. The result is fine but still not private, simply a more reasonable OS
lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works on 26 Mar 2025 12:39 collapse

It’s either private or it’s Windows.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 11:43 next collapse

How do you want to read this Brick above without bleeding eyes?

Andi Summary:

How to Upgrade to Windows 11 While Maintaining Privacy and Control

Before You Start

  1. Back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage
  2. Verify system compatibility using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app
  3. Disable third-party antivirus software temporarily to prevent installation conflicts

Most Efficient Method

  1. Download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft’s website
  2. Mount the ISO by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"
  3. Run setup.exe as administrator from the mounted drive
  4. During installation, select “Keep personal files and apps” for fastest transition

Privacy-Focused Settings

  1. During initial setup, decline optional data collection and analytics
  2. Skip the “complete installation” prompts for Edge browser and OneDrive backup
  3. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security after installation to disable unwanted tracking features

Maintain Control

  1. Move the Start menu back to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
  2. Restore classic context menus and file explorer views for better efficiency
  3. Set up default apps through Settings > Apps > Default apps to avoid Microsoft’s preferred applications

Recovery Options

  • Within 10 days of upgrading, you can roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery
  • Keep your Windows 10 backup for 30 days until you’re comfortable with Windows 11

Sources:

  • PCWorld - How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
  • Prajwal Desai - Best Guide to Upgrade to Windows 11
  • PCWorld - How to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11

_________________________________________________________________________________________________–

I’ll add also WindHawk, which is imperative in W11

aamram@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 26 Mar 2025 13:48 next collapse

Meh. Pretty useless IMHO. There are plenty of tricks to apply after this basic stuff and even then, they will try to insert new telemetry on every small update. It’s now worth the fight. Try to switch to Linux mint and have a dual boot for relevant software like Adobe.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 2025 16:44 collapse

Yes, dual boot is an option, but for certain things user need to use Windows. But you can make Windows a valid, fast and private OS, not so easy but possible. Telemetries re a minor problem and easy to avoid not needed. My W11 instalation has less than 1 GB and there is nothing working in the background which I don’t want. Certainly I don’t use any of the default Windows apps, nor the infame powersHell. Only the Defender and security updates.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 26 Mar 2025 14:02 collapse

Uhm this is a link. Click on it.

Gronk@aussie.zone on 27 Mar 2025 06:29 collapse

The best solution for privacy is to not use windows, seems like a good guide but even with all these modifications I would throw the computer in the dumpster and set it on fire before using it in any privacy sensitive or mission critical applications.

Linux runs fine these days, and with NTSync in the kernel and the work done on WINE and proton there really isn’t a need to use an operating system that abuses you and sells your data for profit.

boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net on 27 Mar 2025 11:15 collapse

This is for people needing MSOffice, Adobe, AutoCAD and whatelse. This does not run in WINE, on purpose.

Just stop. Your comment does not help anyone.

Gronk@aussie.zone on 27 Mar 2025 12:28 collapse

Oh, works on my machine. Oh well.