Gareth HalfacreeNov 24, 2023

Dear Microsoft. Here is a list of things I want the Start Menu to do:

* Show my installed programs
* Search my local files
* Provide access to system settings

Here is a list of things I do *not* want the Start Menu to do:

* Show the weather for a randomly-selected town near my network's public IP infrastructure
* Show tabloid headlines
* Show programs I *don't* have installed
* Search the web via Bing
* Show adverts(!)
* Attempt to engage me in conversation with a hallucinating LLM

Thanks.

Show threadπ™°πš•πšŸπšŠπš›πš˜ πŸ¦ŠπŸ§‘πŸ»β€πŸ’»Nov 24, 2023
@ghalfacree I’ve had a couple of family calls asking for help because of that, just after they updated to W11, mostly because they are used to search for local data in the menu, and now it looks on the internet and all the other unnecessary things you just mentioned…
Show threadGareth HalfacreeNov 24, 2023
@alvariviris It's possible to strip it all out - I've got a Windows 11 laptop with no ads, no web search, no LLM, no weather, no news - but it's not easy. I spent an entire afternoon getting mine to that point!
Show threadNormanDunbarNov 24, 2023

@ghalfacree @alvariviris

That process would make a good article, and I would read it. Not that I need it, I don't use Windows any more since retiring, but from what I've heard about Windows 11, I suspect a lot of people need the information.

Show threadGareth HalfacreeNov 24, 2023
@NormanDunbar @alvariviris Only trouble is, it's short-lived. One of the reasons it took so long is half the solutions out there - like disconnecting the NIC to force the creation of a local user account during installation, or using a shortcut key to bring up a command prompt during the setup wizard - don't work any more, as Microsoft keeps tweaking the OS to block 'em.
Show threadNormanDunbar

@ghalfacree @alvariviris

Hmmm. This is not good. Not good at all.

Thankfully, I only use Linux and Raspberry Pi these days. Obvioulsy, for your job, that's not an option.

Good luck!

Cheers.

Nov 24, 2023 at 10:26amWeb
Show threadGareth HalfacreeNov 24, 2023
@NormanDunbar @alvariviris ...I haven't used Windows for work since Windows 2000 was the new hotness. I run an entirely open-source software stack, except when a client wants something submitted as a Google Doc!
Show threadNormanDunbarNov 24, 2023

@ghalfacree @alvariviris

I keep an old Win 7 "virtual box" lying around for the times I inadvertently update the software on my HP multi function printer, and discover that it will no longer let me print with non-HP cartridges.

I need Windows to revert the software to an earlier version that doesn't care what cartridges are used. Other than that, there are no windows in this house! πŸ˜‰

Show threadphi1997Nov 24, 2023
@NormanDunbar
You should reconsider. Natural light is very good
@ghalfacree @alvariviris
Show threadNormanDunbarNov 24, 2023
@phi1997
I'm a Scotsman. We are easily burned, so we are not allowed out in daylight! πŸ˜‰
@ghalfacree @alvariviris
Show threadU.LancierFeb 11, 2025

@NormanDunbar @ghalfacree @alvariviris
First time ever I read about Windows as a hacker tool. πŸ‘
Maybe caused by the fact that I stopped using an HP printer some 15 years ago and gave up on Canon ink printers about 5 years later.

When I *buy* something I fucking hate it to be owned by the producer.

Show threadLee 🌏Nov 24, 2023
@ghalfacree @NormanDunbar @alvariviris
I was a long-time Windows user from 3.1 days, but when Windows 8 arrived, I was done.
Zero respect for customers.
Show threadNeilNov 25, 2023
@MrLee @ghalfacree @NormanDunbar @alvariviris The first time I saw Windows 8 I thought the installation was borked. Oh the feeling of disgust that washed over me once I understood what I was seeing was intentional…