Windows 10 Privacy Concerns

[perrinoia]

Microsoft was already busted dealing with Lenovo in loading malware onto it's systems and selling them to the consumer to make a profit, illegally. FCC dealt with them quickly, same as VW was dealt with it's coding for their diesels.

I was unaware of this issue... I was aware the malware was preloaded, but I assumed it was because the OEM build was infected and no one realized it before installing it on thousands of PCs. I wasn't aware that a court decided it was Microsoft's fault.

As for purchasing and having to continue to pay for a license to use a program with Microsoft, is why I'm also turned off by them now. I like old ways, you paid for a program and registered it and received updates for free for the life and support of the program. You didn't have to continue to pay to play.

But this is my point... That business model is obsolete... The only reason it still works for Apple is because they didn't fuck up their reputation by releasing crap like Windows Vista and Windows 8. All other OS manufactures are moving towards a free model with an app store.

And that's another issue that you mentioned, Microsoft can't do their own thing, they are trying to copy others now. They can't lead, they have to follow, which tells me they are not one of the big boys anymore.

Yes, it's true that Microsoft did not invent the idea of a free OS with an app store, however they are innovating with subscription services, albeit in the wrong direction. They are trying to innovative, and are doing a better job of it than Apple, but the only reason I'm still using Windows is compatibility.

As for your privacy rights, you lost those long ago when the internet was created.

That's been my argument for decades.

However, I do have some suggestions for Microsoft to improve Windows... Whether they implement my ideas in Windows 10 or 11, I don't care, but I do hope they come to fruition at some point in time...

1) Merge Internet Explorer/Edge, Windows/File Explorer, the Start Menu, and the Desktop, so there's an address/path/search bar at the top that can be hidden, live tiles that can be arranged just like desktop icons, or sorted like any folder.
2) Make the Windows Key toggle between the root drive, recently used apps/files, all apps, etc...
3) Keep the taskbar the same... I like it as is.

[KILROY]

Yeah, they were caught working with Lenovo and some other company in doing this.

I'll agree with you on the crap statement about Vista and Windows 8 and it's update 8.1. I own both and are crap.

As for business, I have to hand it to them in trying to make more profit to stay afloat, but eventually the consumer will get tired of continuously having to pay to use an item they purchase off the resellers shelves in which that amount pays for the use, registration, and license. This includes any and all updates that goes with that program's purchase. Microsoft has now broken this paid licensed agreement with what it's doing with it's support for previous Windows releases. It's only a matter of time before a you see something in the Federal courts about this.

Well, I don't have an opinion as of yet about weather Apple or Microsoft is doing a better job, but Apple for now is due to seeing Microsoft now drop 6% on it's stock. That's big for losing 2% in 2 days.

As for your ideals.....LOVE them! Agree whole heartedly, but there will be a bunch of compatibility issues that would have to be worked out between programs. Maybe you should create your own OS and put Apple and Microsoft both out of business

[perrinoia]

If I had a time machine, and could make my child self do homework, and get into a real college, I definitely would like to have done just that...

The primary goal of my operating system would be simplicity... Meaning, the OS itself wouldn't take a shit ton of resources... No transition effects, transparent window frames, or pre-loaded resources like Vista did...

One thing that pisses me off about every operating system I've ever tried to teach a senior citizen to use, is the fact that every one of them thinks the desktop is the root drive, and can't find external media to save their life.
Example:
Me: "Open the start menu."
Them: "OK" (Takes 5 minutes to find the windows button).
Me: "Click 'My Computer'."
Them: "OK" (Immediately closes the start menu and returns to the desktop).

That's why I'd create a hidden webpage (PHP) on the boot drive, and every directory you navigate to, which would reference a common theme (CSS), display a directory tree on the left, and the contents of the selected drive on the right. Shortcut/live tiles to whatever you want...

So, basically, the whole operating system would simply be a web browser with file browsing capabilities. Then I'd have to work hard on compatibility for games and shit... DirectX, OpenGL, etc...

But currently, the only part of it that is within the scope of my abilities, is writing a prototype homepage.

[perrinoia]

FYI: The biggest problem with Microsoft's flagship products (Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book) just got fixed.
http://www.neowin.net/news/new-intel-dr ... tion-issue

Woohoo! I think I'm gonna get myself a Surface Book, next summer... ($3199 for the 1TB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB / dGPU version or $2699 for the 512GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB / dGPU version)

Then I'll want to sell all of my old computers...
Custom gaming rig worth over $2000
ASUS ET2400XVT worth close to $1500 (if I can resolve the video driver issue)
Surface Pro 2 worth close to $500

[KILROY]

Yeah, did some more reading on Windows 10, and after reading the EULA, I will NOT ever be switching to it. It pretty much gives MS complete control over the money you earned on your equipment, which was probably not even made by them in the first place. And by complete control, I mean complete. They can do or change whatever they want, whenever they want. The keyloggers themselves see everything, even passwords. There's a GWX Control Panel in use, in which you can disable 3 of the schedule task to stop it's pop-up request, but MS is already trying to learn to circumvent this.

Here's a few options:

In Windows Update make sure "Never Check" is selected and you look for and uninstall these:

KB3035583
KB2952664
KB2977759
KB3021917
KB3075249
KB3080149
KB3083710
KB3083324
KB3090045
KB3112343 (new Dec 2015)
KB3022345
KB3068708

Then restart, and go back and manually re-check for updates, when you see them again "re-hide" them. This works well with older Windows users, make sure to keep the Windows Update selected to "Never Check" and you will be good. (Just manually check and keep a list of the above update ID's) Microsoft can make changes through your Windows Update. If you select the option to "Never Check", they can't make these changes.

Or...

If you don't want to disable Windows Updates, you can add this to your Registry:

Make this key in your registry:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate


and inside it, place a DWORD with the name "DisableOSUpgrade" and set its value to 1


If you want to get rid of the GWX badge, make this key:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx


and inside it, make a DWORD with the name "DisableGwx" and set its value to 1


In short, when my older Windows versions are not working well, which I doubt, my XP Pro works very well, as does my Vista and 8.1 (which is still supported), I won't be switching to Apple, due to Microsoft trying to switch to what Apple is already doing to the consumer. I'll be going Linux, unless something else comes out by then.

With all the spyware, malware, adware, and key logger tracing (can see you input your passwords, credit card numbers, etc.)that Windows 10 has built into it, including what it takes and sends back to Microsoft (which also is out in the open) to send you more ads via your internet viewing browser, especially Internet Explorer (Microsoft), I'll wait till Brendon Eich's (former CEO of Mozilla who resigned due to taking a stand on Proposition 8 back in 2008) Brave https://brave.com comes out and hopefully be able to switch to it to rid of the previous stated.

[perrinoia]

Drugs are bad...

Microsoft is getting rid of Internet Explorer.

They have a new internet browser called Edge. I don't like it.

Brave is not an operating system. It's a browser... With adblock.

I use Chrome with adblock on Windows 10.

[KILROY]

Yes, Microsoft is getting rid of IE for Windows 10 and using Edge, but not older OS's, you have to do an upgrade to IE 11 due to older IE's no longer being supported.

Brave, exactly, but will be a faster browser, and a lot securer than anything Microsoft will be using, and it's doesn't use adblock, it swaps older ad's for newer depending on your interest. Not what the current one's are doing. For example, let's take a fishing boat like Bass Tracker. You click on something for a Bass Tracker, it will only show you Bass Tracker in the future ad's, not show you everything that deals with fishing itself, just your interest.

Chrome is a good choice, but 10 NO WAY. The EULA for it is the biggest bunch of NON-legal BS I've ever seen. It pretty much gives Microsoft control of everything to do what they want and when they want to. Read it, and compare it to let's say Windows 7's EULA. You will see what I am relaying.

Windows 10 is basically another OS like Vista, 8, and 8.1 all rolled into one. They didn't even test it out properly before the release, which is why everyone is having all these issues, most Microsoft won't even address themselves. No too much insecurity in the OS itself and it's usage. Anyone with any type of security background no matter how basic will avoid this OS.

[perrinoia]

I do not intend to read the EULA...
No one sane reads that crap.

That's almost a bigger waste of time than taking your text books out of their shrink wrap, senior year of high school.

[KILROY]

Drugs are bad...

And yes, many read the EULA (End User License Agreement). It's a legal contract binding you and the manufacturer. You better do some research, you just gave Microsoft control of all your equipment running Windows 10. They can do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want to your equipment that "YOU" paid for.

EDIT:

I do not intend to read the EULA...
No one sane reads that crap.

That's almost a bigger waste of time than taking your text books out of their shrink wrap, senior year of high school.

Wasn't it you in your previous post that relayed people should "READ" before doing?

[perrinoia]

I was being sarcastic.

I read the EULA, and it didn't scare me like it scared you.

Now, if I had sensitive information on my computers, like schematics for inventions that I had not yet pattented yet, or personal health information (PHI), then I might be concerned...

But I only use computers for entertainment, these days...