24 ms·

I can't even remove 'Recommended' from the start menu, not even on a Pro for Workstations. Every time I search on the start menu there is a web search, impossi

• lozenge 2y ago
  You can use Windows Firewall to block outbound connections from the Start bar. It would be nice if some basic features like calculator would still work, but no luck.
  • jtriangle 2y ago
    If you have a w7 install the calc exe still works on 10/11
    • yonatan8070 2y ago
      I think they mean calculation from the start menu search (on a default installation, it will Bing the calculation and show the search result, which I find absurd since it requires an internet connection to solve x+y). The calculator program still works fine offline, but is often overkill when you just want to quickly solve something I'll note that Microsoft's PowerToys run solves this properly, just like MacOS's Spotlight and the built in search on most Linux desktops
      • ed_elliott_asc 2y ago
        But spotlight replaces alt+space so you can’t minimise or move a window from the command line :(
        • spectre3d 2y ago
          You meant Microsoft's PowerToys Run, correct? Spotlight is Mac-only and uses Command-Space by default.
          • spectre3d 2y ago
            As the sibling comment mentioned, you can customize the keyboard shortcut so you don’t lose alt-space.
        • dspillett 2y ago
          If you mean "PowerToys Run", you can reconfigure pretty much any if the PowerToys shortcut key combinations. Though for now I've just turned that one off as I don't have obvious need for it and haven't looked at what else it might offer. I use PowerToys mainly for FancyZones and plain text paste.
  • squarefoot 2y ago
    Wait... Windows calculator needs an internet connection to work?
    • anthk 2y ago
      Money exchange related maybe.
      • spartanatreyu 2y ago
        This, and it also sends diagnostics to microsoft so they can try to glean how people use it. The calculator app is open source so you can see the code here: https://github.com/microsoft/calculator https://github.com/microsoft/calculator
• Dalewyn 2y ago
  For some consolation: Windows Autoupdates can be disabled and likewise driver installs in general via Group Policy, which is available if you use Pro or above.
  • OptionOfT 2y ago
    Thanks! But I don't want to disable driver updates. I just don't want it to install older versions.
    • wvenable 2y ago
      Maybe they know something that you don't or it's just a glitch.
      • nequo 2y ago
        But shouldn’t they inform you and let you opt out of the downgrade even if they know something? Ubuntu at least asks if you want to proceed with a package update, you can look at the changelog to see what the update is about, and you can mark packages to be on hold and skipped for updates.
        • beagle3 2y ago
          That was before snap. Now, Ubuntu doesn’t ask you, and just refreshes snaps in the background. Which is why I have stopped recommending Ubuntu.
          • nequo 2y ago
            That’s fair. But Debian would also let you mark packages, and I imagine other distributions, too.
      • ilayn 2y ago
        Nope same for me with intel drivers. Intel update utility recommends one, installs it. Leave computer idle windows rolls it back in the night to a driver from 2021.
• nikau 2y ago
  Not justifying the shitty antics of MS, but most of the junk can be turned off by registry settings which most large organisations automate via GPO
  • rsanheim 2y ago
    This illustrates just how ridiculously screwed up Windows is now. No one should have to resort to registry hacking or the many scripts or hacks available to regain control over basic UX, privacy, or usability selections. It is absolutely absurd.
    • msm_ 2y ago
      To be fair, Linux configuration is not exactly straightforward in comparison to Windows. Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Linux lover and user, but from an outside perspective Windows registry (a central, structured database of configuration for everything) looks easier.
      • skydhash 2y ago
        > Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something. The good thing is that explanations is often a `man` command away, and the location of these files is often listed in the same place. Also general computing is an expert subject. You may as well have a kiosk if you start hiding away capabilities. The expectation to drop to a terminal is often because the terminal is the fastest way to get things done.
        • Moru 2y ago
          But with the terminal you still have to learn commands, it's not as discoverable as the windows 95 environment. There you could do things as a noob by just looking around and after a while you could do things without even thinking. Every windows version after that has broken that flow in some way. In Linux I keep forgetting what file to edit to get what I want. I need to look up location and syntax for most things every time I want to do something.
• conception 2y ago
  https://privacy.sexy https://privacy.sexy is what you want/need! Works well to disable various telemetry, bloat and other baddies.
  • llm_trw 2y ago
    Until it doesn't. I shouldn't have to run on a privacy treadmill to stay in the same place.
    • out-of-ideas 2y ago
      every software that ever updates has options that are subject to change; a user needs to be proactive in knowing whats running. i do agree we shouldnt need the privacy treadmill, but until we have better consumer laws the treadmill will continue... as far as powershell scripts; i cant say i am a fan (i do like the potential targeting of offline machines with something like the mentioned website) - but my favorite to date is still: https://github.com/hellzerg/optimizer/ https://github.com/hellzerg/optimizer/ edit: if you end up trying out hellzerg's optimizer: do know that reboot button, once clicked, reboots right meow
      • llm_trw 2y ago
        Or you can just use Linux.
        • speff 2y ago
          I love fighting my libinput drivers every time I update. And lately the driver for my laptop keyboard is suddenly crashing without warning prompting a hard reboot every time. This was not an issue prior to a few months ago. Linux software is not immune to frustrating changes
          • sseagull 2y ago
            The upgrade to KDE 6 (and switching to Wayland) has been particularly painful for me lately. Lots of bugs and stuff not working correctly (like zoom). So yeah, Linux is not a refuge either.
• klooney 2y ago
  Presumably all the executives, PMs, and designers all use Macs.
  • atemerev 2y ago
    And half of software engineers (the other half have Linux laptops). I only use Windows as a game launcher (and I’m still on Windows 10), I don’t understand why anyone would need it anymore except games.
    • oefnak 2y ago
      CAD software
      • blooalien 2y ago
        I use Blender3D for everything I (as a total non-professional novice) would need 3D graphics-wise, but as I understand it, there are a few CAD options available on Linux, and several more that run fine in WINE for those who need more professional or proprietary options.
        • zargon 2y ago
          On Linux there's FreeCAD, SolveSpace, Dune3d and OpenSCAD in (subjective) decending order of capability. FreeCAD still suffers from the "topological naming problem", though there's a fork that helps with that and merging it upstream is an ongoing process. I purchased Alibre Atom3d because it was the only non-subscription affordable package I could find, but it's quite disappointing and won't run in wine anyway due to the licensing rootkit it uses. So I end up using one of the above linux capable tools, depending on the needs of the model. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses and none is satisfying overall. I reach for OnShape for any design that is going to be open source, because it is a pleasure to use (even though it is web-based), but I don't make enough money from CAD to pay for a $1500 annual subscription.
        • the__alchemist 2y ago
• accrual 2y ago
  > Every time I search on the start menu there is a web search, impossible to turn off. How is that acceptable? YMMV, but this is what I used to disable web search on my Win 11 Pro workstation: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer] "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"=dword:00000001
  • ChrisSD 2y ago
    On Pro it would be better to use the group policy editor. As a bonus this also ensures the setting survives updates, which is not always a given for raw registry edits.
    • DaiPlusPlus 2y ago
      (Unsolicited related advice) If gpedit.msc gives you unexpected results (I.e. policies just don’t seem to work) then do two things: 1. gpupdate /force 2. Download the latest ADMX templates; newer versions of Windows often introduce similarly-named - but still distinct - policy templates, for unwanted “features” in older versions, just like Start Menu web-search and forced-restarts for updates. Lastly, while Windows LTSC is really what Microsoft should make available for everyone, don’t forget that Windows Server is still Windows LTSC too - so if you’re outside the MSDN Subscription Garden-of-Eden, you can still get Windows Server tricked-out as a real LTSC Workstation OS.
  • DrSiemer 2y ago
    It's frankly offensive that this utterly pointless "feature" can't just be disabled. Starting Photoshop used to be windowskey, "ph", enter. Now, by default, it will give you an Edge Bing search for "ph"... But even if you wait a few seconds before confirming, you'll get some garbage like Windows Photos, even though that's literally never been used. At least the start menu got a lot faster with the net search disabled, but dropping usage based ordering is just another sign that Windows is NOT aimed at power users anymore.
  • rkagerer 2y ago
    On an older version of Windows I used the Classic Shell start menu. It's rockin', and works how you'd expect a start menu to.
• DontchaKnowit 2y ago
  My start menu hasnt even worked for over a year on 2 seperate computers now.
  • dryanau 2y ago
    What do you mean when you say it doesn't "work"? You click the windows icon and nothing comes up? It displays but nothing is clickable? On 2 different machines? Really? This seems like hyperbole. It sounds like there's a specific feature that doesn't work for you as it used to, but instead of describing the issue you've thrown up your hands and declared it to not work. If it truly does not open or respond to clicks I'd love to know about it and retract this comment!
    • gytisgreitai 2y ago
      Not an OP, but same issue on Windows10 on two laptops, non of the workarounds work https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/startmenuexperiencehostexe-fails-app-error/86452772-eeb8-4406-8349-2990ed7be497 https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/startm...
    • bad_username 2y ago
      For me it truly does not open or respond to clicks, many times per day. Routinely the start menu opens on the wrong monitor, in a remote corner somewhere. And it does nothing when I click on it or press Enter. It's not a permanent condition, but a frequent one.
    • lelanthran 2y ago
      > You click the windows icon and nothing comes up? Not the GP, but, yup. Got fixed about 6 months later in a routine update. Wasn't just the start menu, none of the icons are responsive in the taskbar either, so I couldn't change the volume, or switch networks, etc.[1] Luckily, for me, Windows is used almost exclusively for unimportant stuff, like games, netflix/disneyplus/prime, surfing, etc. [1] Not a major issue: all my game (and firefox) shortcuts are on the desktop, my headset has a volume knob and the wifi can be turned off/then on again using the laptop Fn-key (which I only did when it lost a connection once).
• navjack27 2y ago
  I have absolutely none of these problems on my Windows 11 pro for workstations desktop. My computer is very much my computer and I seem to have full total control over everything. I'm not sure what I do differently than everyone else but that's just how it is.
  • slicktux 2y ago
    You’re the ideal windows user…whatever that may be??
    • bongodongobob 2y ago
      It's not fucking with core components that aren't supposed to be fucked with.
      • hnlmorg 2y ago
        It’s software running on your own computer. If you’re not supposed to turn off ads and OneDrive, change the default search engine, etc then that’s a pretty sad state of affairs. Though as an ex-Windows developer and hacker, I can tell you that NT is pretty modular and is designed to be “fucked” with in various different ways. Microsoft just like to ship defaults that are more favourable for their own business than your typical power user.
      • DrSiemer 2y ago
        How is OneDrive a core component? It even has an uninstall in Europe, because baking it in is clearly anti-competitive. http://windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-is-now-100-compliant-with-the-european-unions-dma-regulation-by-letting-users-uninstall-onedrive-edge-and-bing-on-windo http://windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft...
      • josephg 2y ago
        I wouldn’t mind the defaults if they weren’t horrible. No, I don’t want Microsoft selling my data to 3rd parties. I don’t want an AI “assistant” watching everything I do. I don’t want crazy right wing conspiracy theory news stories in my start menu, or popping up next to the clock or wherever that junk lives. I don’t want my start menu to do an internet search. Or to try and get me to play candy crush. If I want a dropbox like service I’ll research my options. Don’t auto install onedrive and make it start automatically at boot. None of that stuff is a core component. The only reason any of that stuff is part of windows is because windows is a mature product. And all their desperate product managers need to add stupid features to windows to justify getting promoted. Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but I don’t use windows because I want to be part of Microsoft’s software empire. I just want an OS that boots fast and lets me play video games. I don’t buy ram from the computer store so some tasteless bozo at Microsoft can justify their 6 figure salary.
• turtle_heck 2y ago
  > And the nagging everywhere. This. Oh my god this.
• dylan604 2y ago
  > Since when is 6.6.1.40 better than 6.6.1.72? Why would you do that? well, recently, there was a compromised update to a software package and the recommendation was to roll back to a previous version. there are definite times when removing the latest not-so-greatest for a previous version is the best solution. there's no reason to lose the plot in your ranting. you just lose credibility in your arguments at that point "The US federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a security advisory recommending that the affected devices should roll back to a previous uncompromised version."[0] [0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XZ_Utils_backdoor#Remediation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XZ_Utils_backdoor#Remediation
• sandreas 2y ago
  Here are some things I found helpful using Windows at work (at home I use Fedora): Debloat / Software Management: https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil Command line software management (Scoop): https://pilabor.com/blog/2021/12/automate-windows-app-setup-with-scoop/ https://pilabor.com/blog/2021/12/automate-windows-app-setup-... Comparison (Scoop/Chocolatey/Win-Get): https://daftdev.blog/2024/04/01/chocolatey-vs-scoop-vs-winget---which-windows-package-manager-to-use/ https://daftdev.blog/2024/04/01/chocolatey-vs-scoop-vs-winge... I would also recommend starship (https://starship.rs/ https://starship.rs/) for your Powershell, which is cross platform and therefore usable for all popular shells. Scoop can also install and manage nerd fonts: scoop bucket add nerd-fonts scoop install nerd-fonts/JetBrains-Mono Here is my starship.toml config: format="$all\u001b7${fill}$cmd_duration | $time\u001b8" [fill] symbol = " " # right_format = """$cmd_duration$time""" [username] show_always = true format = '[$user[@](red)]($style)' [hostname] ssh_only = false format = "[$ssh_symbol$hostname]($style): " [time] disabled = false format = '[$time]($style)' [character] success_symbol = '[>](bold green)' [git_branch] format = "[$symbol$branch(:$remote_branch)]($style)" [cmd_duration] min_time = 0 format = ' [$duration]($style) ' show_milliseconds = true
  • lofaszvanitt 2y ago
    Why do you even need those? Software and hardware should be under the human, helping, not hindering.
    • sandreas 2y ago
      Absolutely. In my company I'm forced to use Windows, because we develop Windows software (WPF). I'm not totally happy with Windows (especially 11), but I tend to look for jobs that have nothing to do with what I'm too familiar with to gain new knowledge. However, I'm trying to make the windows experience as good as possible for my personal taste :-) Additionally I hope I can help to migrate to a web based solution in the future.
      • 2y ago
• kylebenzle 2y ago
  I am at a total loss as to why anyone is using windows in 2024.
  • epolanski 2y ago
    I use it everyday in place of my MBP. 1) WSL2 is fantastic to work. Having various Linux images on my system is nice, this is huge for me alone 2) plenty of things work just better on windows like Docker 3) stuff like power tools is insanely useful 4) monitor, windows and desktop management is very well done in comparison to the mess of MacOS 5) I don't have all these issues the article describes. An automatic update has never broken my computer let alone ruined my flow 6) I don't see these ads, maybe in the start menu there are but I just never use it I have shortcuts 7) MacOS is way more annoying for me. I really dislike the filesystem, the window management, the fact that it will be always a third class citizen to Linux for software development (still have nightmares about installing Haskell and other languages on MacOS), the fact that it keeps resetting the output of my monitors at every sleep I could provide other reasons but essentially it is way better for me and my use case than alternatives. Unless I'm using a laptop, there I prefer MacOS for hardware.
    • stavros 2y ago
      I find it curious that you say things like "Docker runs better on Windows" but also "MacOS is worse than Linux for development". It reads like you think you have two choices Windows or MacOS, and that it's very unfortunate that they're both worse than Linux. Why isn't Linux one of the options? And yes, Docker and most other development works better on Linux than any other OS.
      • epolanski 2y ago
        > Why isn't Linux one of the options? Because WSL 2 satisfies all my Linux needs, and yes, it runs Docker perfectly and Windows is a better desktop OS, with more tools and software. I used to run mint, ubuntu and some others up to Windows 10 I never considered a productive machine on my desktop but this has changed during the last years and Windows is an incredibly productive machine for software development. Anyway I'm not trying to sell anybody Windows, was just answering a pointless comment like "I don't understand why would anybody use Windows", and I answered that there's plenty of reasons and tools for me, but I ain't gonna die if you force me on other OSs too.
• alliao 2y ago
  I used to use O&O defrag and recently found out they're still going at it old school styles https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 and this free tool took care a lot of painful things in windows
  • vitoralmeidasil 2y ago
    Thanks for the suggestion!
• intelVISA 2y ago
  You may own it, but it serves a different master.
  • harry8 2y ago
    You don't own it, just paid for it.
• mschnell 2y ago
  > Every time I search on the start menu there is a web search, impossible to turn off I hate this as well, same with Spotlight on the Mac. Doesn’t it make sense to look for things on my own device first? Anyway, here’s a solution I found for Win11: ## Disable web search from run menu 1. Select Start, type regedit.exe and select the Registry Editor to launch it. Accept the UAC prompt that is displayed. 2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search 3. Right-click on Search and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value. 4. Name the value BingSearchEnabled. 5. Double-click on the new Dword and set data to 0. From <https://www.ghacks.net/2021/11/26/how-to-turn-off-search-the-web-results-in-windows-11/ https://www.ghacks.net/2021/11/26/how-to-turn-off-search-the...
• lemoncookiechip 2y ago
  > Every time I search on the start menu there is a web search, impossible to turn off. How is that acceptable? I'm not sure if it works on Win11, but this was used to disable it in Win10: REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v BingSearchEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search /v CortanaConsent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
  • Zambyte 2y ago
    Windows is free unless you value your time... or your money
    • Hikikomori 2y ago
      You just use Mac or Linux without changing anything?
      • Zambyte 2y ago
        I built my GNU/Linux config years ago. The amount of time I spend changing things per year is asymptotically approaching zero. My other comment was not actually about that though. It was about my computer not actually fighting me over random things, such that I have to circumvent normal means like using the Windows Registry to get what I want done. If you get to the point where you're twiddling with Registry values, you have sunken a lot of time into that problem.
      • red-iron-pine 2y ago
        more or less, yeah. i have an apt install one-liner, a big one, saved in a .txt file saved in my email. install basic ubanto and then run that bad boy. walk away for 15 min while it does its thing, and then generally good to go. at that point it's just changing the desktop background and ps1 colors
      • jjav 2y ago
        > You just use Mac or Linux without changing anything? Mac, no. It's almost as bad as windows in terms of having to chase perpetual change for no reason. Linux though? Absolutely. Nothing changes unless I want it to change. Here's an admittedly extreme, but very real example: I build my parents a simplified Linux desktop setup ca.1996 (neither had any computer experience so wanted to keep it very simple). Today ~28 years later, my remaining parent is using the exact same setup. The last thing you want to impose on a 95 year old with fading vision is an interface change. So it is exactly what it was in 1996. Through several hardware replacements, countless updates and even distro changes, it is still exactly the same. This is what user-friendly means. I, the user, own the experience. Neither microsoft nor apple are able to respect that.
• pndy 2y ago
  > All this fuzzy language That's not the exclusive problem to Microsoft - it happens all around us within the IT world. The corporations stopped acknowledging the permanent "No" anymore and the actual user choice. It's a plain harassment up until you give up and agree to what you get shoveled with. Whenever I read comments regarding last two Windows versions and issues people had or have with these, or news about newest Microsoft "ideas" - I ask myself, where the hell are regulators?
  • 0dayz 2y ago
    You get what you vote for. If you want less government interference then less regulatory power will exist.
    • deleted 2y ago
      [deleted]
  • BiteCode_dev 2y ago
    They are in Europe, and heavily criticized on HN everytime they regulate. I love GDPR, yet so many complain about it for cookie banners, which are not even what the law requires: There Is No Cookie Banner Law (https://www.bitecode.dev/p/there-is-no-eu-cookie-banner-law https://www.bitecode.dev/p/there-is-no-eu-cookie-banner-law)
    • Numerlor 2y ago
      Reading through this thread as an user of Windows from the EU most of the issues I see mentioned here are just non-existent, like OneDrive nagging that has never happened to me
      • pauby 2y ago
        > just non-existent You have just been lucky. Nothing more. A classic case of it doesn't happen on _my computer_ so it must be a lie.
• jgalt212 2y ago
  Is this the case for corporate installs? I cannot imagine the security teams at big banks like Chase, Bofa, Goldman, et al tolerating this.
  • spacebanana7 2y ago
    In my experience large corporate Windows installs don’t have these hostile features. But I don’t know how much credit is due to ongoing config work by central IT versus Microsoft.
• dsign 2y ago
  Not exclusively a Microsoft/Windows problem. It reminds me the nagging "Update iOS" messages in iphone, that take you to a new screen to dismiss them. Also in iOS, you can't use their wallet app for tickets and other cards if you don't add a payment card there, because they have this huge banner that says "Get started with Apple Pay" and that can't be dismissed. Disgusting.
  • sneak 2y ago
    This is false. I don’t use Apple Pay and I have lots of tickets and such. You don’t add them from within the Wallet app. The Apple Pay prompt is shown whenever you don’t have any passes or whatever in the wallet. Try adding some passes and see.
    • dsign 2y ago
      I've added some passes, thing is there. Last time at the AWS summit I had to hold the blasted banner on the edge of the iphone with a finger while they scanned the pass. This is a well-known issue: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253699496?sortBy=best https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253699496?sortBy=best.
      • sneak 2y ago
        I literally just opened the wallet app and clicked the little dismiss X in the top right of the Apple Card ad. It disappeared with a little analog TV powering off animation, collapsing down to a scanline then sliding in horizontally to a little dot and disappearing. Both before and after I could pull up my other passes easily.
• deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
• alfiedotwtf 2y ago
  > All this fuzzy language makes me feel like I'm dealing with a kindergarden teacher addressing his/her pupils. Very fitting… both the kindergarten teacher addressing her pupils vs Windows abusing its users have the one thing in common - people who have zero chance of escaping their control and little influence to chamge their situation. In the business world, it’s called a captive market
• dgeiser13 2y ago
  Where is "Recommended" on the Start Menu? I don't even see that.
• PaulHoule 2y ago
  I wish there was a registry key you could set that would make it impossible for Microsoft to put up any kind of modal UI element whatsoever.