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I recently rebuilt my computer and figured I would just go with Windows 11 to have all the new features and compatibility. I have been seriously debating on re

I recently rebuilt my computer and figured I would just go with Windows 11 to have all the new features and compatibility. I have been seriously debating on reinstalling and going back to 10. Just yesterday "gaming services" just decided it no longer wanted to run. With the talk of how much data this thing collects it really makes me uneasy. Even though I only use it for gaming (I use my Mac for everything else)... I still occasionally do other things on it for convenience. Edit: I also thoroughly enjoy my startup being interrupted by "finish setting up this device" once a week when its really just trying to get me to setup office, one drive, and others. Other side note, the fact that Office won't let me choose what I want to install... and it forces me to reinstall teams?!?

jdthedisciple 4y ago
Everybody should know by now that Windows 11 is a vastly inferior product compared to 10. Do not use it!!
- gjsman-1000 4y ago
  Egh... I'm not so against it in real life. For example, we've had Microsoft Accounts for over a decade in my family, and the refined design in Windows 11, like it or not, is more consistent than the mystery meat of Windows 10. So, we really didn't mind. For average non-technical users, Windows 11 is definitely more friendly for even basic tasks like "how do I pair a Bluetooth speaker" than Windows 10's Settings Panel. Though I completely understand and accept this isn't everyone. For us though, it was decent.
- nerdjon 4y ago
  I am not really sure if I could go so far as to say "vastly inferior". Windows 11 has its major issues but it also has some advantages when it comes to gaming and the xbox app. Things seem to be more integrated (however clearly not fully given my issue I mentioned) on that front which for me is a good thing since this is a gaming pc. Going with Windows 11 should have been an easy decision, but clearly they are screwing that up.
ArnoVW 4y ago
I switched to Ubuntu recently. Never looking back. There are still minor painpoints, but they pale in comparison with the mess that has become Windows.
- nerdjon 4y ago
  Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.
  - baal80spam 4y ago
    Indeed. Linux is a no go for me. I don't use Steam, also I use DosBox a lot and tinker with a ton of stuff related to games. When it comes to gaming, nothing compares to Windows by a long shot. Unfortunately.
    - db48x 4y ago
      I think you would be surprised. Certainly DosBox will continue to work exactly the same way on Linux as you are used to on Windows.
  - ArnoVW 4y ago
    Given your gaming background, I can see why you don't want a Mac. But Linux? I have two kids, aged 7 and 10. They would be very much 'not amused' if I'd propose them 'tux racer' or the likes... Steam works pretty much out of the box, and there's proton as you mentioned. Perhaps you could install a second hard disk in your machine, and make it dual-boot? Just as a POC, and to get an idea of the state of Linux gaming.
    - nerdjon 4y ago
      I did experiment with it on my Steam Deck, and even there I ended up dual booting and most of my gaming on it is on Windows. I do play some things on SteamOS but there are some games that I play that either don't work or they are tied into the Xbox Ecosystem so the lack of Xbox friends is a non starter for me. (Halo being a prime example)
jacooper 4y ago
I mean is windows 10 collecting less data? I doubt it.
- Maxburn 4y ago
  I remember seeing the same articles coming out when 10 came out. At the time there was also mention that they back ported the same collection schemes into win 7 updates.
  - jacooper 4y ago
    They ruined windows 7 too? Damn it.
flykespice 4y ago
After almost a decade using a low-end 1.6 ghz linux laptop that was eternally plugged to the power supply I could afford to buy a Mini PC that still had decent specs so you still could play mid 2010s AAA games in mid-settings. The mini-pc already came with Windows 11 preinstalled on a 256 gb SSD, I though that was sufficient to allocate a new partition and install linux in it whilst still keeping windows to play games it, however the steam games soon ate up half the SSD with little room for anything else. I had to make a though decision either I format the SSD entirely to make room for linux or I keep windows 11 to be able to play games. I chose the latter, on the bright side it stimulated me to learn IDEs for development and depend less on command line only tools from linux.
scns 4y ago
Search for Windows Ameliorated for a hassle free gaming/utility OS. No updates thus unsafe. Visual Studio proper works just fine. No idea bout office though.
- nerdjon 4y ago
  What do you mean, "No Updates thus unsafe". Wouldn't that be a major reason not to use it or am I misunderstanding? I have heard of this before but I don't think I ever heard of it related to gaming. I will check it out though.
  - scns 4y ago
    They pretty much ripped out everything, no ads/shop/telemetry/updates. It will be stable and not shutdown for updates during work but still, secure looks different. Could work well, if you only allow JavaScript selectively (main threat vector nowadays) and know how to handle email attachments from strangers proposing the deal of your lifetime etc.

jdthedisciple 4y ago

Everybody should know by now that Windows 11 is a vastly inferior product compared to 10. Do not use it!!

gjsman-1000 4y ago
Egh... I'm not so against it in real life. For example, we've had Microsoft Accounts for over a decade in my family, and the refined design in Windows 11, like it or not, is more consistent than the mystery meat of Windows 10. So, we really didn't mind. For average non-technical users, Windows 11 is definitely more friendly for even basic tasks like "how do I pair a Bluetooth speaker" than Windows 10's Settings Panel. Though I completely understand and accept this isn't everyone. For us though, it was decent.
nerdjon 4y ago
I am not really sure if I could go so far as to say "vastly inferior". Windows 11 has its major issues but it also has some advantages when it comes to gaming and the xbox app. Things seem to be more integrated (however clearly not fully given my issue I mentioned) on that front which for me is a good thing since this is a gaming pc. Going with Windows 11 should have been an easy decision, but clearly they are screwing that up.

ArnoVW 4y ago

I switched to Ubuntu recently. Never looking back. There are still minor painpoints, but they pale in comparison with the mess that has become Windows.

nerdjon 4y ago
Since this is really just a gaming PC I really don't feel comfortable going the linux route for it. I know there is proton, but at the end of the day what matters for me is that my games work, I can record and stream. I know Linux Gaming has come a long way but until all of my games are running natively, I don't want to make the switch. Its the same reason I don't just have a nice Mac.
- baal80spam 4y ago
  Indeed. Linux is a no go for me. I don't use Steam, also I use DosBox a lot and tinker with a ton of stuff related to games. When it comes to gaming, nothing compares to Windows by a long shot. Unfortunately.
  - db48x 4y ago
    I think you would be surprised. Certainly DosBox will continue to work exactly the same way on Linux as you are used to on Windows.
- ArnoVW 4y ago
  Given your gaming background, I can see why you don't want a Mac. But Linux? I have two kids, aged 7 and 10. They would be very much 'not amused' if I'd propose them 'tux racer' or the likes... Steam works pretty much out of the box, and there's proton as you mentioned. Perhaps you could install a second hard disk in your machine, and make it dual-boot? Just as a POC, and to get an idea of the state of Linux gaming.
  - nerdjon 4y ago
    I did experiment with it on my Steam Deck, and even there I ended up dual booting and most of my gaming on it is on Windows. I do play some things on SteamOS but there are some games that I play that either don't work or they are tied into the Xbox Ecosystem so the lack of Xbox friends is a non starter for me. (Halo being a prime example)

jacooper 4y ago

I mean is windows 10 collecting less data? I doubt it.

Maxburn 4y ago
I remember seeing the same articles coming out when 10 came out. At the time there was also mention that they back ported the same collection schemes into win 7 updates.
- jacooper 4y ago
  They ruined windows 7 too? Damn it.

flykespice 4y ago

After almost a decade using a low-end 1.6 ghz linux laptop that was eternally plugged to the power supply I could afford to buy a Mini PC that still had decent specs so you still could play mid 2010s AAA games in mid-settings. The mini-pc already came with Windows 11 preinstalled on a 256 gb SSD, I though that was sufficient to allocate a new partition and install linux in it whilst still keeping windows to play games it, however the steam games soon ate up half the SSD with little room for anything else. I had to make a though decision either I format the SSD entirely to make room for linux or I keep windows 11 to be able to play games. I chose the latter, on the bright side it stimulated me to learn IDEs for development and depend less on command line only tools from linux.

scns 4y ago

Search for Windows Ameliorated for a hassle free gaming/utility OS. No updates thus unsafe. Visual Studio proper works just fine. No idea bout office though.

nerdjon 4y ago
What do you mean, "No Updates thus unsafe". Wouldn't that be a major reason not to use it or am I misunderstanding? I have heard of this before but I don't think I ever heard of it related to gaming. I will check it out though.
- scns 4y ago
  They pretty much ripped out everything, no ads/shop/telemetry/updates. It will be stable and not shutdown for updates during work but still, secure looks different. Could work well, if you only allow JavaScript selectively (main threat vector nowadays) and know how to handle email attachments from strangers proposing the deal of your lifetime etc.