Microsoft account log in required.

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[–] 60 points 1 year ago (3 children)
  • [–] 14 points 1 year ago (2 children)
  • [–] 8 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Yes. And using Rufus to create your install media, you can even configure it to create a local account for you so you don't have to go through the rigmarole yourself.

    Actually, I wonder if that still works with an image of the new current Win11 releases where the local account functionality has been "removed." I haven't tried it. Someone will probably chime in.

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  • [–] 90 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    The fact that in lieu of paying them they simply want you to log in with an account they control should speak volumes to the privacy implications.

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  • [–] 34 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Here's is how to get 3 extra years for free: https://massgrave.dev/ without Microsoft account login

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  • [–] 65 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    I give my sincere condolences to anyone that is forced to use this shitty corporate OS.

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  • [–] 15 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Switched to CachyOS Plasma on my main machine not even two weeks go! My only regret is that I didn‘t try it sooner. It has it‘s hiccups but QoL features make up for it. It actually works better for me than Windows did since Win7. At least so far. I genuinely enjoy using my computer again.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    What QOL features improved your experience?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago*

    I love the task manager and it‘s UI. It‘s just much easier to keep track of your connected devices, running programs and media playing in the background. The UI allows you to quickly adjust sound volume of programs without having to navigate through arbitrary menus. Or to navigate through a song or podcast running in the background. You can do that on a mini player from the Task manager (the equivalent to the task bar on Windows). External storage devices have a simple dismount button. No right clicks and searching for the right option necessary. There are many more little UI decisions that KDE did right. The dolphin browser and general file search functions are blazing fast. No comparison to Windows built in file browser. I also love how I can update almost all programs and drivers at the same time with one click.

    There are of course some caveats but that‘s not really the OS‘ fault most of the time. For example my Discord didn‘t want to start until I update but the package wasn‘t ready yet for CachyOS. I looked for a solution online and found several options to deal with this problem. And that‘s honestly fantastic because everyone has different preferences and can use the solution that best suits them. I ended up disabling automatic updates for Discord in one file and then told Discord it‘s already on the new update by changing one digit in another file to resemble the current update. Now Discord will leave me alone with random updates and I can just update it whenever I want in Octopi (the app manager).

    So what was a hiccup at first ended up being a learning experience. Now I understand my computer a little better and Discord won‘t annoy me as much anymore long term. This should be possible on Windows too but I would’ve never knew that without Linux. I‘m starting to understand what they mean by „finally owning my computer“. It takes time but it‘s very rewarding.

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  • [–] 17 points 1 year ago

    I am SO glad that I don't have to deal with bullshit Microsoft workarounds anymore.

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  • [–] 27 points 1 year ago (3 children)
  • [+] [S] -6 points 1 year ago (2 children)
  • [+] 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)
  • [+] [S] -7 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    The vast majority of people have already activated Windows with an email address. I have several friends who have done so and for them this cost nothing.

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  • [–] 13 points 1 year ago

    They may accept the ongoing cost, but that doesn't make it free. There may be no cash payment, but that doesn't make it free. Cost comes in many forms. The glib misrepresentation of the transaction is disappointing.

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  • [–] 52 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    The article olympically ignores the option to install linux.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago

    Nah. Switching to CachyOS instead.

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  • [+] 17 points 1 year ago (6 children)
  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

    If you want to delay your switch to Linux, there are scripts to enroll in the ESU, but unfortunately the local account script stopped working on the one I used. Have not tested massgravel's. Other options are to get Win 10 LTSC, or keep your system disconnected from the Internet.

    An aside: My main desktop is Linux but I am currently trying Winboat to get the last piece of my hardware dependence off (my 20 year old DAC and rocksmith 2014) to work. Then, I can finally nuke Windows off of my secondary laptop because I'm sure as hell not giving it Win 11.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

    get the last piece of my hardware dependence off...my 20 year old DAC

    The $9 Apple DAC is unironically good. I can confirm it is plug-and-play with Mint.

    Edit: To be clear, it is good if you just need an audio output (the core feature of a DAC). If you want crazy DAC features, it clearly isn't it.

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  • [–] 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Microsoft account log in required.

    Shhhh, no one tell them there is a free way without a Microsoft account.

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    [–] 22 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Yeah, but what if we all just install Linux?

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    That's a great idea! Which distro are we all installing?

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  • [–] 12 points 1 year ago

    If serious, whichever one works best for you. Lots of info out there to help steer you to a good match. There are some that will have a harder time than others thanks to Microsoft domination all these years.

    If not serious. Arch, of course.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago

    Nobody has worked harder in the push for Linux than Microsoft.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago

    Linux or pirate it.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    Option 4, just install another OS that doesn't pull this BS.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    When windows XP went away I got 12 more years of updates on my old dell laptop - with Linux of course. The laptop died before 32 bit support did.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    Buying a new PC this weekend, going for Linux straight up

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  • [+] -13 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Everyone is making a big deal about support ending but it doesn't fucking matter anyway. You PC is not going to suddenly stop working you just wont get updates. Considering the updates microsoft pushes now days are loaded with malware and spyware anyway it's all a wash if you keep using 10.

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  • [–] 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    With the rate of CVEs scored at 9+ that come across all the stuff I manage at work I would not agree.

    It would be foolish to simply stop patching this giant pile of obsolete insecure dependencies they are calling windows.

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