The software maker will use the Recommended section of the Start menu, which usually shows file recommendations, to suggest apps from the Microsoft Store.
With Windows 10, you had much more control over the start menu. Windows 11 is further eroding control. That’s why they absolutely refuse to allow you to disable the Recommended section.
The ability to disable it is present in the OS, but it’s restricted to Enterprise versions. Disabling an unneeded and annoying UI element is a Premium feature now. And as everyone said when they made that clear a few months ago, “that’s where the ads will go”.
They’ll probably let you disable them, at least for now. But the fact you can’t disable the place for the ads is telling. We’ll see how they feel about letting you disable those ads in a few years.
Well, of course. I mean it’s not like you paid for a Microsoft Windows license when you bought your computer, so obviously they have to advertise to financially support it. If you’re getting something for free, you’re the product.
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Wait, I’m being told that when people buy computers with Windows installed, they are, in fact, paying for a Windows license, too.
So this is actually Microsoft trying to turn products they’ve already sold into continuous revenue streams at the cost of usability and customer happiness.
In other news, apropos of nothing in particular, Steam on Linux is working really well these days, with lots of AAA titles running just fine via Proton. Make of that what you will…
I play VR on Linux, it works surprisingly well, especially via Wayland. There’s an app called Envision that sets up basically everything you need for you. Unlike a few years ago, I had to do no fiddling, it just works.
I bought what was affordable on the used market. And VR stuff is almost entirely Windows exclusive, with only the Index having a native Linux compatibility via the recent SteamVR Linux port. While the Quest series (and a Pico, its Chinese competitor) run a special version of Android, they don’t have the performance in standalone mode that a PC has. Besides, my library of VR games are all on the PC.
And before you say “you shold have Index”, I will point out the very, very high cost and requirement for external tracking hardware, aka “the lighthouse”, something I lack the space for.
Maybe vr just isnt affordable yet? If its proprietary garbage, it’s just not yours. Lock-in is bullshit, and freedom sometimes requires sacrifice-even of toys and treats.
Generally People don’t give a shit. Ive learned you gotta use the same tactics as windows and shove it in their face. My parents think they have been using windows for over a year now but I secretly installed Linux mint on their systems made it look like windows. They haven’t even fucking noticed they only use a browser for emails and Facebook. When my friends ask me to help build their PC and bring a windows os I bring a Linux os and say its all I will install and troubleshoot
I had thoughts along these same lines the first time I fired up a Linux Mint VM last year. The most basic computer users would have their experience enhanced by being stuck with a system they “don’t know.” They can do all the same browser based activities on a system that’s probably more responsive and more stable.
Yeah I don’t see it being any different then them using windows they were already stuck with a system they didn’t know. And now their computer will last much longer as well
The point about longevity is a great one too. I mean what’s the best thing to do with a crappy old laptop? Install Linux and make it useful for something!
We’re not paying for the updates, though. I don’t recall paying Microsoft for anything in ages, and I have a legit copy of windows 10 installed.
To most people, now that windows is mostly stable, there’s no draw to upgrade when a new major version comes out. Why volunteer for new os growing pains when the last Gen works great? Even more so if you have to buy another license.
Kernel level anticheat for a few games is the only real speedbump I’m aware of, and it’s only on a couple of game franchises like CoD I think. I would love it a ton of people made the switch and it hurt those games’ companies revenue noticeably enough that they look for a way to moderate cheating without just lazily requiring Windows in order to play online.
Linux is finally convenient enough to realistically steal swaths of customers from Microsoft, and it’s at the same time that Windows 11 is pissing a ton of people off. We’re in for some strange times.
I posted this in another thread but it doesn’t, DMA boards are capable of spoofing other PCIE device IDs which was one of the few ways vanguard used to detect DMA boards. Realistically the only anti cheat that actually works are replay based community voted convictions such as counter strike’s overwatch.
There are way too many games out there for me to care anymore. Once i build my new PC, its Linux only. If it doesn’t run on Linux, I don’t need to play it.
that they look for a way to moderate cheating without just lazily requiring Windows in order to play online.
I would avoid those kernel level malwares anticheat anyways, whether they’re for Windows or if they port them to Linux (“to run this game, please load this kernel module”… no thanks).
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