Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Windows 11: the privacy risk
ALARMING video about the absence of privacy for users of Windows 11:
A week ago, an expert former Windows developer (linked above) with deep detailed knowledge, posted to Youtube: Windows 11 is a Lost Cause. Truly Destined for the Garbage. Don't Upgrade from 10.
His video is heading for a million views. It underlines the wisdom of not installing "11".
It discusses the extent to which the 11 version is riddled with code that sabotages a user's privacy. My take is that much or most of Microsoft's new features billed as security, are intended to shield all the data—constantly gathered—about the life of an unwitting "11" user that Microsoft collects for the benefit of Microsoft.
About 40% of those who use Windows are "still" on version 10: anyone valuing their privacy should consider staying there.
(BTW, the developer mentions Apple only once in passing; he's now 99% on another UNIX-class operating system: Linux).
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I've used Macs for more than three decades and have long been aware they can also run the "Windows" operating system (with BootCamp or virtualisation).
As little more than as an experiment, last weekend I installed Windows 10 on a Mac Mini. The Mini could easily have run the bloated, resource-hungry, current 11, but after researching and comparing the two variants, I was confident that 10 was the right choice.
Even though I was installing the "Pro" version of 10 on my 2018 Mac Mini, I was taken aback at the extent of the pushing of other Microsoft products at every turn, all of them unwanted.
I accidentally signed up for a "Microsoft Account" and it took time and effort to undo it, together with all the unwanted effect of this spyware window into one's life. It also took time and effort to delete permanently Microsoft's unloved "Edge" browser (IMO, those who value their privacy should consider the Brave browser, available on all platforms).
I hope I have cleaned up Windows 10 Pro as far as is possible, but I'm half expecting MS to try to push spyware in again, under the guise of a vital security update.
Tags for Forum Posts: 10, 11, Microsoft, Pro, Windows, privacy
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by adamvietnam
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Ubuntu all the way! A fast clean easy to use OS.
If anyone want a hand getting to grips with it let me know. I also have a couple of fast Dell laptops running Ubuntu laptops for around £200 if anyone fancies it.
Clive - can you link to the article please.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter
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Adam, the link is the second word in my post above, i.e. "video".
When I was a councillor, a colleague and I tried to persuade Haringey's then-CEO to move the local authority's computing needs to Linux and Open Source, partly to save money. We were merely humoured; the council is deeply wedded to its fat Microsoft Licence.
On the other hand, at least Haringey Council has not (yet) been foolish enough to "upgrade" from 10 to 11.
(In a 2018 report titled “Laptop and Desktop Refresh”, the Council stated that their estate at the time was using Microsoft Windows 7 on devices—and that because support for Windows 7 was ending from January 2020, they planned to move to Microsoft Windows 10 by April 2019.)
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Permalink Reply by AndrewAW1
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Sticking with Windows 10 is terrible advice. Security updates have ceased unless you jump through some hoops or pay.
If you want to use Windows, which is the easy option for many, then after installation of 11 spend half an hour going through the various privacy and advertising settings or use a tool like this https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
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Andrew, the "hoops" you describe amounted to one or two clicks:
Security updates for 10 are available for at least another year and I "enrolled" in that programme for free.
After that, I'd be prepared to pay for genuine security updates in order to avoid the terrible risk to privacy that is Windows 11.
I just hope they would be real security updates and not—or not partly—methods by which Microsoft were able to re-install their spyware. On that score, I'll rely on advice from independent developers and not on MS. Are you drinking too much MS Kool-aid: did you actually watch the video from the Windows expert?
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To get the security updates for Win 10 for free you need an MS account associated with the machine and to be syncing your settings via MS.
So basically to avoid Microsoft getting your info in Windows 11 you are voluntarily giving it to them to keep Windows 10 going.
The various AI stuff and telemetry in the video can be turned off in Windows 11, it just takes a bit of effort (or the tool I linked to simplifies it). Personally I also use a DNS blocking service, NextDNS, which cuts out a lot of the MS telemetry too.
By all means let your lack of knowledge keep you on an OS that is rapidly becoming depreciated but maybe don't recommend it to others (there was no mention that it is end of life in your original post).
If you're that concerned about it then don't use Windows (or Google, or Meta, or X).
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Andrew,
If I use Windows 10, then it will be on a strictly limited basis and avoiding browsers. I do not trust Microsoft's intentions.
I'm sure you're right that it "takes a bit of effort" in order to undo all the Zucking BS that MS foists on their users. I'm not sure that most trusting users of Windows 11 would feel confident in taking up your suggestions in order to safeguard their privacy.
I enjoyed Rob Braxman's reference to Zucking BS, which may be a reference to (Mark) Zuckerberg, founder of FaceBook, also known for privacy issues.
"end of life" is mentioned by the Windows expert in the video that I suspect you may not have watched to the end. Is this phrase not intended to frighten users of 10 in order to bounce them into an "upgrade" to the new AI/spyware version?
I'm obviously not a Windows expert, but I am prepared to take advice from others who are, such as:
Tech Radar—I was about to upgrade to Windows 11, but I've decided to stick wit...
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