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> The reasons people hold off on "upgrading" Windows versions is not mainly because of compatibility, but other factors like unwanted UI changes and removed fea

by alister 10y ago

> The reasons people hold off on "upgrading" Windows versions is not mainly because of compatibility, but other factors like unwanted UI changes and removed features, and particularly with Windows 10, the increased data-collection intrusiveness and "we own your machine" attitude Since quite a lot of people swear that they will never upgrade to Windows 10 for those reasons (esp. the data-collection, privacy, telemetry, and forced update issues), what do you think of the feasibility of a software product that blocks Microsoft from doing all those things? This product would automatically configure Windows 10 to minimize all those intrusions, and where Microsoft does not provide an opt-out or disable setting, it would actively block the intrusive activity (like the way anti-virus software blocks certain malware actions). Is this technically feasible? Would it violate Microsoft's terms and conditions? Is there enough of a market?

userbinator 10y ago
People have done that (just search for "Windows 10 disable telemetry", a few of those have made it onto HN too), it probably does violate ToS in some way, and there is certainly a huge "market" for it. Just look at all the "start menu replacements" that appeared when Win8 decided to remove that feature. The biggest problem I see is that MS has somehow made all the pieces very tightly coupled (e.g. http://superuser.com/questions/957907/unable-to-install-fonts-on-windows-10 http://superuser.com/questions/957907/unable-to-install-font... ), and in typical fashion these days, has adopted a "you're either with us or against us - it's for your security" attitude in dealing with things like patches and other modifications. Back in the XP and Vista days, well-meaning people would make customised versions of OS install images with a lot of these types of changes and share them. Piracy aside, that movement was mostly decimated by claims that all of them contained malware. Sure there were some, but a lot less than the FUD wants you to think, and the community of more experienced users quickly discovered and strongly called out those who tried. Maybe the "malwarez" creators have blossomed since then, I don't know; I haven't been following that scene for a while.

by alister 10y ago

userbinator 10y ago

People have done that (just search for "Windows 10 disable telemetry", a few of those have made it onto HN too), it probably does violate ToS in some way, and there is certainly a huge "market" for it. Just look at all the "start menu replacements" that appeared when Win8 decided to remove that feature. The biggest problem I see is that MS has somehow made all the pieces very tightly coupled (e.g. http://superuser.com/questions/957907/unable-to-install-fonts-on-windows-10 http://superuser.com/questions/957907/unable-to-install-font... ), and in typical fashion these days, has adopted a "you're either with us or against us - it's for your security" attitude in dealing with things like patches and other modifications. Back in the XP and Vista days, well-meaning people would make customised versions of OS install images with a lot of these types of changes and share them. Piracy aside, that movement was mostly decimated by claims that all of them contained malware. Sure there were some, but a lot less than the FUD wants you to think, and the community of more experienced users quickly discovered and strongly called out those who tried. Maybe the "malwarez" creators have blossomed since then, I don't know; I haven't been following that scene for a while.