How to upgrade to Windows 11 with as much privacy, freedom and efficiency as possible
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I mean, this is about privacy, is it not? It's pretty well-known by now that Windows mines your data.
It's either private or it's Windows.
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If you don't think the modern Linux distro are shiny and easy to use, how long has it been since you tried? There are plenty of feature complete distros that are shiny and modern and comfortable to start using as a lifelong windows user
I tried switching to linux permanently three times. Each time it got easier and more polished until eventually I didn't go back.
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- Go to linuxmint.com
- Download
- Write to usb with rufus
- Reboot using the usb
- Install
- Done
I'm one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff's kiss
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I'm one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff's kiss
Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.
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Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.
Yeah, its damn solid. In the same vein I am testing the atomic release of fedora, really hard to break that thing, same goes for bazzite.
Now i'm thinking ... an atomic release of mint would be ... wow
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Yeah, its damn solid. In the same vein I am testing the atomic release of fedora, really hard to break that thing, same goes for bazzite.
Now i'm thinking ... an atomic release of mint would be ... wow
I don't know much about atomic releases. Is that in any way similar to immutable distros such as NixOS? If so, and you ran mid in that way, it ought to be damn near impossible to break.
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How do you want to read this Brick
Andi Summary:
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 While Maintaining Privacy and Control
Before You Start
- Back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage
- Verify system compatibility using Microsoft's PC Health Check app
- Disable third-party antivirus software temporarily to prevent installation conflicts
Most Efficient Method
- Download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft's website
- Mount the ISO by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"
- Run setup.exe as administrator from the mounted drive
- During installation, select "Keep personal files and apps" for fastest transition
Privacy-Focused Settings
- During initial setup, decline optional data collection and analytics
- Skip the "complete installation" prompts for Edge browser and OneDrive backup
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security after installation to disable unwanted tracking features
Maintain Control
- Move the Start menu back to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
- Restore classic context menus and file explorer views for better efficiency
- Set up default apps through Settings > Apps > Default apps to avoid Microsoft's preferred applications
Recovery Options
- Within 10 days of upgrading, you can roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery
- Keep your Windows 10 backup for 30 days until you're comfortable with Windows 11
: PCWorld - How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
: Prajwal Desai - Best Guide to Upgrade to Windows 11
: PCWorld - How to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11I?ll add also WindHawk, which is imperative in W11
Meh. Pretty useless IMHO. There are plenty of tricks to apply after this basic stuff and even then, they will try to insert new telemetry on every small update.
It's now worth the fight. Try to switch to Linux mint and have a dual boot for relevant software like Adobe. -
I'm one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff's kiss
Hardened Gentoo?
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If you don't think the modern Linux distro are shiny and easy to use, how long has it been since you tried? There are plenty of feature complete distros that are shiny and modern and comfortable to start using as a lifelong windows user
I am daily driving Linux...
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Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.
This. Is. About. People. Needing. Windows. Only. Software.
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You obviously didn't format it.
Format what?
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How do you want to read this Brick
Andi Summary:
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 While Maintaining Privacy and Control
Before You Start
- Back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage
- Verify system compatibility using Microsoft's PC Health Check app
- Disable third-party antivirus software temporarily to prevent installation conflicts
Most Efficient Method
- Download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft's website
- Mount the ISO by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"
- Run setup.exe as administrator from the mounted drive
- During installation, select "Keep personal files and apps" for fastest transition
Privacy-Focused Settings
- During initial setup, decline optional data collection and analytics
- Skip the "complete installation" prompts for Edge browser and OneDrive backup
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security after installation to disable unwanted tracking features
Maintain Control
- Move the Start menu back to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
- Restore classic context menus and file explorer views for better efficiency
- Set up default apps through Settings > Apps > Default apps to avoid Microsoft's preferred applications
Recovery Options
- Within 10 days of upgrading, you can roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery
- Keep your Windows 10 backup for 30 days until you're comfortable with Windows 11
: PCWorld - How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
: Prajwal Desai - Best Guide to Upgrade to Windows 11
: PCWorld - How to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11I?ll add also WindHawk, which is imperative in W11
Uhm this is a link. Click on it.
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To be fair, while Microsoft is absolutely vile for such restrictions, I think people overestimate how many people would switch computers just to get Windows 11. It's probably a concern for big corporations indeed, but regular users? I don't think so. Most people don't see anything wrong with staying on an OS that doesn't receive updates. A lot of them already do so - on their phones, because the support is so short! I am now in the process of switching my father to Linux, and it's genuinely hard to explain him why he has to get used to a different OS: his reaction to "But Windows 10 would no longer receive security updates!" is "So what?". Windows 7 probably would've still had a high market share if 10 had a similar system requirements change.
Every work from home person and every corporate end point will be upgrading; simply due to legal liability for the corporations. That alone is hundreds of millions of pcs and laptops getting thrown out (because anyone in IT knows no corpo is going to pay the extra hours to recycle properly).
Average users with no liability? Plenty will stay on win 10 until their use case no longer works, i.e. when steam dropped win vista compatibility, but plenty will be scared enough to upgrade.
The weird part will be seeing who sidegrades to a tablet in the corporate environment. Many android tablets can do everything needed for office work, and don't have the same security cross section. Most app front ends are electron anyway these days so its not like x86 is needed.
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Mind to tell me what is missing then? NextDNS or Portmaster could be used, but they add more complexity. And as said, Windows should not be considered a safe OS so hardening it is kinda useless
That’s the point. Windows 11 cannot be made to be a private OS. So you have to adjust your privacy model instead if you want to use it.
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Meh. Pretty useless IMHO. There are plenty of tricks to apply after this basic stuff and even then, they will try to insert new telemetry on every small update.
It's now worth the fight. Try to switch to Linux mint and have a dual boot for relevant software like Adobe.Yes, dual boot is an option, but for certain things user need to use Windows. But you can make Windows a valid, fast and private OS, not so easy but possible. Telemetries re a minor problem and easy to avoid not needed. My W11 instalation has less than 1 GB and there is nothing working in the background which I don't want. Certainly I don't use any of the default Windows apps, nor the infame powersHell. Only the Defender and security updates.
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That’s the point. Windows 11 cannot be made to be a private OS. So you have to adjust your privacy model instead if you want to use it.
Ok so there is no point?
What you said is mentioned in the post multiple times. Poorly, node.js garbage like Adobe creative garbage blocks Linux for no reason, so Windows is needed.
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- Go to linuxmint.com
- Download
- Write to usb with rufus
- Reboot using the usb
- Install
- Done
I know you think you’re being clever. But what you really are is arrogant. Telling someone the answer to their problem is to do as you do, instead of helping them with their issue.
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Hahaha! Please someone. Help.
He's exactly a week early.
To be fair, a bunch of old scientific closed sourced applications run only on WinXP or 7. Maybe it's aimed at those people. But I don't know any that require 10 or 11 that don't have alternatives...
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True. Windows 10 is atrocious. I have to say, a debloated Win11 feels almost too good.
So, lets focus on making Linux distros shiny and easy to use!
That is the point, but Linux, as said above isn't for everyone an option.
Comments in the web:
**Linux faces several key challenges that limit its broader adoption and effectiveness:
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Software Compatibility
Major commercial applications like Adobe Creative Suite and industry-standard business software often don't run natively on Linux[^1]. While alternatives exist, they frequently lack feature parity or full compatibility with industry file formats. -
Hardware Support Complexity
Device drivers and hardware compatibility remain inconsistent. According to ZDNET, even basic tasks like printer setup can require manual configuration[^3]. Multiple competing package formats (deb, rpm, flatpak, snap) create confusion for software installation[^13]. -
Fragmented Development Focus
The Linux ecosystem suffers from too many competing distributions and desktop environments. As MIT researcher Jonathan Birge notes, "It's downright laughable that an OS with single digit market share would further dilute its market share by having two competing desktops"[^21]. -
Learning Curve
Despite improvements in user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu, Linux still requires more technical knowledge than Windows or macOS for many tasks[^1]. The command line remains necessary for certain operations, intimidating new users.
*(With this point I am not in total agreement, Windows with its plug & play and intuitive UI only SEEMS more simple, but to remove the bad habits, bloatware, telemetrias and other crap, are required a more advanced user to get it, entering quickly into Comanche territory. I think that Windows need a more advanced user as modern Linux distros)
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5. Support Structure
Unlike commercial operating systems, Linux lacks centralized support. Users must rely on community forums and documentation that can be overwhelming for beginners[^13]. Enterprise-level support often requires expensive consulting contracts.- Market Share Impact
With desktop market share around 3%, many software vendors can't justify developing and maintaining Linux versions of their applications[^21]. This creates a negative feedback loop - fewer applications lead to fewer users, which leads to less software development.
[^1]: 7 Reasons Why Linux Isn't Dominating the Desktop OS Market - MUO
[^3]: Why don't more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like - ZDNET
[^13]: What Are the Disadvantages of the Linux OS (Operating System)?
[^21]: Why Linux is failing on the desktop | Jonathan Birge
Summary: the best OS is allways the one which best fits the individual needs, a perfect os for everyone don't exist. Every OS has its drawbacks, certainly Windows the most, but at least it's possible to fix.
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If you don't think the modern Linux distro are shiny and easy to use, how long has it been since you tried? There are plenty of feature complete distros that are shiny and modern and comfortable to start using as a lifelong windows user
I use PC before MS DOS times and I also used several Linux distros in the past, last Kubuntu and Mint, always in dual boot. But I never saw big advantages above a gutted Windows, but problems with a lot of apps which I needed.
Currently I'm on a heavy cleaned W11 which works fast, stable and exactly how I want 100%, why because of this I have to change it, installing another OS? There are no practical reasons for it.
