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> MS collects user data but so do Ubuntu and CentOS... not to the extent Google and FB do it. They're working on it though. I just installed Windows 10 for th
by radarsat1 8y ago
> MS collects user data but so do Ubuntu and CentOS... not to the extent Google and FB do it.
They're working on it though.
I just installed Windows 10 for the first time on a brand new computer I bought. I was shocked to discover that I could not make an account on my own personal machine without "logging in" to a Microsoft service either with an existing or new email address. I looked up tutorials to skip that step but they all pointed to a button ("No account" or something like that) that was not on my screen, I swear. No button was provided to skip logging into a Microsoft account. Next, I had to give them my phone number for user verification. Also no way to skip that step. I had to wait for a verification code, which by the way failed, (got the message, they didn't accept the code), tried again, never got the new message.. figured out how to back out of that, then provided a proper email... Once set up, in making extra user accounts on the machine, they now differentiate for some reason between "Family" users and non-"Family" users.
This is on MY PERSONAL COMPUTER. I literally want to just be able to use Microsoft Word on the rare occasion that I am forced to use it, and I found myself having to fork over my phone number and make TWO accounts. (One for ASUS too for some reason.) I found the whole process of setting up Windows shockingly invasive. I even had to explicitly opt out of letting them advertise to me on my own personal computer, and sending my personal info to advertisers. Not on websites. There are ads on like.. the file explorer or something. I mean, what the hell? What is this a shopping mall kiosk? No, it's a laptop I bought and paid for! Why would I want ADS?
I dual-booted Ubuntu on it right away, who wanted nothing but my name and desired username, and provided extremely clear method to opt out of submitting my info to Ubuntu servers, and am happily using that now with no issues.
MS definitely want your personal information, they just aren't as good at getting it as FB. I wouldn't give them a pass on privacy, not with how Windows 10 is now organized.
- maltalex 8y agoI’ve installed Windows 10 Pro 1803 on two separate machines in the last month. Both with local accounts.
- fauigerzigerk 8y agoCould this be a Pro vs Home thing?
- wilsonnb 8y agoAnecdotal, but installed Home on my computer about a month ago and used a local account with no problem.
- amoshi 8y agoRunning Windows Home here with a local account. Maybe you were tired or affected by a 1 in a million bug.
- Semaphor 8y agoNope, MS just uses some Dark Pattern (at least on home) to make it seem that way. The link to make a local account is not obvious.
- radarsat1 8y ago> Nope, MS just uses some Dark Pattern (at least on home) to make it seem that way. The link to make a local account is not obvious. I don't know how to prove it, maybe i should have taken a photo (but who cares right), but the link was not dark, it was _not there_. I was able to make a local account and switch to it after installation, but I was not able to completely the installation without a Microsoft account. You don't have to believe me of course, but the screen did not appear exactly the same as in help tutorials I googled.
- tonyedgecombe 8y agoIt’s very easy to miss, I’ve had to search around for it.
- Semaphor 8y agoMy fiancee just got a new laptop. They went from dark pattern to downright evil, the only option was to disconnect wifi, say you need a new address. Enter bullshit data and afterward it will create a local account for you. Fuck that shit.
- saagarjha 8y ago> I was shocked to discover that I could not make an account on my own personal machine without "logging in" to a Microsoft service either with an existing or new email address. I installed a fresh copy of Windows relatively recently, and this wasn't something that I was forced to do.
- sillywindows 8y agoI had that issue, then I accidentally scrolled down and found the button.. something silly like that. A lot of the installation UI hides the skip buttons unless you scroll about.
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y agoIt can be done, MS just went way out of their way to stop you from doing it (and it is getting worse with each new "upgrade"). The button is there but, IIRC from the last time I had to do it, there's still like 2 more screens you have to go through and one of them tries to trick you. One imagines Microsoft is intentionally trying to kill their Desktop OS, but has to keep being less and less subtle about it because the alternatives are so bad people are just putting up with it.
- Max_aaa 8y agoWhat if your laptop had no internet connection? Is an internet connection now a requirement to get a computer setup?