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Microsoft in their infinite wisdom has replaced the Hide Desktop icon with Copilot.
(programming.dev)
Switch to Linux!
From Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/1as1yjk/microsoft_in_their_infinite_wisdom_has_replaced/
I work in healthcate and use windows, at work and at home if I need to do work related stuff. I don't mind windows at work as it's been configured for the purpose and all the shitty bits are switched off - something Microsoft let's it's business users do. It's a decent operating system when it's set up to do what it needs to do, and I'm very familiar with it from using it since Windows 95.
I used to use windows at home and had Linux for occasional interest. But in the last few years I've moved away from windows and now I'm on Linux as my main driver on multiple devices.
For home users Windows is getting pretty shitty - it steals data all the time with numerous privacy settings you have to set to try and stop it, it tries to force you ads, it tries to force you to use its Web browser, it bundles lots of sponsored apps and when it does a big update it resets alot of your choices on privacy plus reinstalls removed bundle apps. It also throws new "features" at you which take up resources and impact privacy. Like Xbox gaming - I didn't ask for it, I don't want it, stop installing it every year and stop forcing an overlay on my own games.
It's really a chore to use windows now; it feels like a constant battle to make sure it's not intruding on your data and privacy or showing you ads. I now use windows as the exception when there is a specific game that doesn't work in Linux. The rest of the time I boot into Linux, or use a separate work provided Windows device for home working.
I know it's probably a case of "who asked" but I guess I just mean I get that windows can be decent for work related stuff (or necessary) but when it comes to personal stuff it's a bit of a nightmare. And I guess it also comes down to whether the privacy invasion and advertising bothers users. Bothers me a lot, but some people don't seem to care how the customer has become the product.
Most people don't care because most of your problems are all privacy related. And that's what Linux people don't seem to get. They rant and rave about how much better Linux is.... for privacy. But the average Joe doesn't know or care that data is being collected and for the most part it doesn't affect them. It's just some Boogeyman being thrown at them. What they care about is ease of use and convience. They don't dig into those details because, for the most part, they're not even aware.
When Linux people say it's a "better experience", they largely mean detailed customization and more privacy.
When Windows people say it's a "better experience", they mostly mean that it's the same relatively easy to use experience on every device and it Just Works®.
They're both right. But each side argues their side of the conversation not seeing that the other side has a perfectly justified use case for theirs. It's like arguing that everyone should drive a van and not understanding why someone might not want one.
Ask most people if they're okay with the government installing cameras/microphones in their own home. If someone says they're sincerely okay with that then hopefully we can agree there is a difference between having a preference and not understanding what is in their own best interests. I draw the line further; the same applies for privacy of your own computing.
No, no. You're welcome here too and your experience is really helpful to share, and also helps to dispell this idea that all Linux users are basement geeks pushing a software cult LOL.
I'm the same way, right there with you. I loved classic Windows for decades. My real last straw was when I was helping my sister with a reinstall and discovered firsthand how pushy they were being with forcing a Microsoft Account.
"Oh no problem, you just have to disable WiFi completely via the switch, otherwise it'll complain that you need an internet connection, so then you need to try three times unsuccessfully on purpose and THEN it'll let you make a local account."
"Ok they don't do that anymore, now you need to use a keyboard shortcut to open a CMD prompt, disable a service..."
It's completely blunt anymore how Microsoft feels about customers: They think we're stupid cattle they've been raising since the 90's to "click OK" and make accounts for anything they want. I wish they weren't so right...
Since then, I found terminal stuff to actually be fun and at least Linux feels like it's MY machine, not like I paid $100+ for a license key to rent their software that always begs me for more and rats on me at every turn.
But yeah, "just switch" isn't helping anyone. We need to guide and support more people into it