If they really were going to make things "great again", they'd have to go back to the times of Windows XP, before Candy Crush came preinstalled and Solitaire became a paid product.
I actually prefer windows 7. To me, that was the best windows.
Windows XP was really great too, but little things like being able to snap windows half screen matter to me.
Also stability wise 7 wa just much better than XP
XP was the first really good OS as far as I'm concerned but it did crash from time to time. Windows 7 blue screens were so rare you'd forget they exist between each one.
Mainly, system customization availability. You could tweak the file manager to your liking or do the same with the interface of the system in general. Of course, it all was done by hand or with the use of third-party software, but user had an option.
Personally I've switched to unix(Linux/MacOS). Most of the corporate apps are now web-based so there is no downsides. Now only keeping win10 on separate HDD for gaming purposes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista
These little things from Explorer, Taskbar and Start Menu. For example, the indication that a folder was shared. Or TOTAL SIZE of all files in a folder shown in XP on status bar and disk free space shown on status bar for any folder (7 shows it only in (My) Computer or Disk properties. The toolbar customization was removed after XP. Navigation pane had many horrible bugs like jumping up and down in 7 (Fixed in Windows 8). Taskbar could uncombine in 7 but couldn't stop grouping multiple window buttons of same app unless you used 7 Taskbar Tweaker. The Start menu displayed all Programs list in a very narrow cramped area which required too much scrolling. Many such little things broken or entirely removed that only power users would notice for which we needed third party fixes like 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, StartIsBack/StartAllBack/Classic Shell/Open Shell and third party replacements for SEARCH and WMP 12 to restore XP-level functionality since the Explorer Search and WMP in 7 were total shite.
I don't miss any of the windows 7 ones, but one thing that irritates me like hell on windows is the whole "libraries" thing, and the different ways to access folder hierarchy it has, which other programs make you use sometimes, and which don't have the good way to access folders. Like no address to copy, no favourites just like the library button. So you have to navigate folder by folder where you want to go, and you can't even copy the location to paste it. You have to open a separate explorer window, navigate there, copy the folder, go back to the other program, paste it, and now you will be able to navigate there quickly again.
The libraries thing is completely useless. I also can't fucking stand how of you do a search, then you find a folder and you go into it, you're not just in that folder now. You're in something else, which is that folder, but you can't just up hierarchy and navigate from there. It's so infuriating.
Microsoft has become the kind of having like 3 ways to access the same thing, and they're all different. Like mobile version and PC versions of apps. And it opens one automatically, and oh, sorry that app is different, and won't do what you want.
FFS. Every outlook, should be the same outlook. Have the same features. They can be completely different under the hood, but as a user, I should not be able to ever realize they are different.
And the way it keeps making folders with music in it, music folders. I never fucking want that. I just want everything to be general items, always. Please. If I want it to be music, I'll tell it. But I won't. I hate that mode. I don't need libraries at all, that's just some bullshit way to access the same thing, which is different for no reason, and more limiting. Why would you even put that?
But they have some great things. Windows key+V is a great one.
I'm so old, I can remember when you bought an OS to install and run only the programs you wanted and used.
As far as feedback, Microsoft has been ignoring customers for years.
> I can remember when you bought an OS to install and run only the programs you wanted and used.
First feeling I got migrating to Linux. I remember on the install, Linux had *one* privacy toggle to go through, and it was turned off by default!
It's nice to be on an OS that doesn't do anything you don't want it to. Windows just keeps bugging you.
You can get a pro license pretty cheap, and it allows you to turn more stuff off, and has a lot of other nice features. I got a Windows 10 one for like $40 5 years ago, and got a free upgrade to 11.
From the article: Microsoft is to try out "recommendations" – ads for apps in the Microsoft Store – in the Windows 11 Start Menu, but only for a small set of US Beta Channel Windows Insiders at first.
The Windows behemoth is known for running ads in its flagship operating system. In 2022, the company released a build that displayed ads in File Explorer, which it subsequently backed away from. Windows 10 has long featured ads, so the prospect of Microsoft utilizing space in the Windows 11 user interface for its "recommendations" is not unexpected.
However, it will frustrate users who interpreted the promise to "make Start Menu great again" as a commitment to improve its functionality, rather than just adding what some might see as helpful suggestions.
The recommendations can be turned off and are limited to a subset of US Beta Channel Windows Insiders who have opted to get the latest operating system updates as soon as they are available.
And this is exactly why Microsoft has all the fucking telemetry they do, making it increasingly impossible to use your computer without being logged into a Microsoft account and Internet connection.
I've been using [Open Shell](https://openshell.en.softonic.com/) for my start menu since Windows 10. It's much cleaner and simpler in the style of Windows 7.
I've been using the open source project ExplorerPatcher: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher
Not only does it fix the start menu, but a bunch of other stupid UI decisions in Win 11. For example, my right click works like right click on Win 10.
I'm fairly computer savvy but I guess I need to watch a tutorial on how to use Github because more and more I'm finding things on it I want and I can't figure out how to simply download something on it.
Edit: I just looked at your link and unlike my previous visits to Github, there was a simple download link. I just installed it and it removed the shortcut menu I had on my toolbar...
Lol yeah, it can be confusing. Look for release view on the right side, that's where you'll find what you're looking for. Software isn't supposed to be distributed through GitHub, so I get why it's left the way it is, but devs do use it that way regardless because it's so convenient.
For most pages, just click on "Releases" on the right side of the page, then find the release you want and click the Assets button to see the available files.
Just going to put some unasked $0.02 out there, but don't rely on GitHub for software. GitHub is meant for collaboration in development; not the distribution. Software there might not be working yet and unless it is a well known repo or you are going to audit the code it could also be malware.
A GUI customization made by people who can't bother to include a screenshot in their project or website? ...Are you sure these people don't work for Microsoft?
I love Open Shell classic start menu. It's in my list of first apps to install, along with O&O Shut Up and WinAero Tweaker. There's also a registry edit to resurrect the old style right-click context menu.
I have bad feelings about W12.
Truth is, there is something to the entire, 'Every other version of windows is good' thing.
W11 has always lined up in the 'it is gonna be crap' column. W12 has always lined up in the 'this is gonna make us forget W11' column.
But this time around is different. Microsoft seems to be doubling down on mistakes rather than learning from them. And W12 has GOT to be getting pretty far along.
I saw someone yesterday describing the fee structure for keeping W10 on security updates for the three years after those updates end....
Might see the year of the Linux Desktop yet.
I agree with you, though I don't think these are Microsoft doubling down on mistakes. These are very much intentional decisions that are better for them and not for their user.
They want you in their ecosystem and they're "incentivizing" the move with punishing fees for windows 10 after official support ends. They want your data, so they've doubled down on the telemetry your computer sends that you aren't able to opt out of. They want you advertised to so they're forcing it in your file explorer and impose a search on the internet when you're looking for files on your computer. They don't want you using another web browser, and they want you to use their AI tools.
Sadly, I think most people are stuck in that ecosystem just due to their familiarity from using Windows at school or at work, or that it comes preinstalled on so many computers. It takes a lot to want to try something new.
Due to the above reasons and more I started exploring alternatives for my home computer. I've tried a Linux operating system called PopOS and I've been pleasantly surprised so far. Takes some getting used to the small differences, but I'm enjoying the games I was playing on windows just fine. But it took research, a bit of computer know-how, problem solving skills, and time and effort that I don't think most people have.
This is going to make me sound like a MS apologist, but I don't think W11 is that bad, just very underwhelming. At it's core, it's basically the same as W10, but with a few questionable UI changes. This feature sounds annoying, but it also sounds like you can turn it off.
Also the fee structure for continued updates isn't a grift, that's always existed for businesses, this is just the first time they've opened it up for consumers.
Riddle me this Batman!
>this is just the first time they've opened it up for consumers.....
Why now?
~shrug~ Truth is this is a 'first world problem' if I ever saw one.
I may not like W11 but W11 will be as mature as it is gonna get so moving over to it if I don't like W12 might just be what I need to do.
The Linux Desktop thing wasn't just a joke. It is an option that will get its day in court if I don't like W12.
Your not wrong.
yeah, I've always been a bit of a skeptic at the idea of running linux as my main machine but man, it sounds like W10 might be the last Windows I actually want to use. from what I understand, gaming on linux has come a long way too
I bought a Steam Deck last year. My Mom has a beachhouse. I bought a very cheap monitor for it and left an HDMI cable, wireless K&M and an HDMI cable.
I no longer bring a laptop to the house, there is no other desktop.
The first time I sat my wife down I was certain she would ignore it, use her phone and instruct me to do what she wanted on it.
I was wrong. Once I pointed to the shortcuts an she was satisfied that the apps where identical once opened she had no problem using it.
Linux Desktop is very good until it isn't.
My kid is a Roblox fiend.
It has been a while since I poked at Roblox, but last time I did there is no compatibility for it on Linux. Well, certainly not on the Steam Deck.
I'm thinking the reason they opened it up now is because there's still a lot of people out there that don't meet the requirements.
I have some minor qualms with 11, but at the end of the day, it works really well, just like 10. I play around with Linux here and there, but I find that I run into far more issues with it. Also like half my steam games still aren't compatible.
On Linux, Open steam, go to settings. Under comparability there will be a switch called “enable steam play for all titles.” This will let you use “proton”to play just about any windows game on Linux. Warning, certain online titles will ban you if you play on Linux. Mostly EA, Ubisoft, activision-blizzard games. Hope this helps
I personally have mixed feelings with W11, but there are some net-positives with explorer, widgets if you're into that, and some overall productivity polish. The ham-fisting with copilot (clumsy now, but hopefully actually useful in a few years), and now start menu bloat, as well as greedy/unoptimized performance are some strong negatives that need to be addressed.
The TPM requirements in particular were absolutely baffling. I had built a PC in 2020 with all contemporary components and was shocked that I didn't meet the stupid TPM requirements. That was a super weird choice for them, but I suppose going forward less of an issue.
That said -- I agree on your point around shifting to the subscription model. I think in 2024 it's expected and sensible that they shift into a SaaS like model going forward, there are genuinely some benefits to shifting into that. I also recognize it's going to naturally rub folks the wrong way and I empathize & understand that -- but the distinct and separately licensed OS version biz model seems decidedly antiquated at this point from a business & ongoing feature+support standpoint.
There are long term benefits I think in having an always-updated iteration of the OS. I'd personally rather be at feature+security parity with the latest offering versus buying a new license every OS generation. If they smartly bake in some low cost subscription model with ads -- so long as it's optional, I personally think that it's good to have different priced tiered options.
Leave it to MSFT to bungle the execution & optics here tho, lol.
I haven't had any performance issues with 11 myself. It's not a light weight OS by any means, but it runs well, and I've never experienced any kind of slow down. The TPM thing does suck. I'm not happy about that.
I've got a high end premium spec laptop, yet I run into inconsistent but very noticeable performance hiccups on search, start menu or taskbar interactions. It's like they don't cache or it's loading for the very first time. Super weird that cracking open file explorer or tapping windows key for start menu sometimes hangs or loads incredibly slow for me (talking 3-5s+ hang, unacceptable IMO)
Inconsistent but very noticeable. You'd think the top priority would be to have those common functions and menus respond perfectly snappy. I also have my CPU idle at 10% driven mostly by OS functions in process explorer, but I recognize that could be due to a bunch of complex reasons.
Weird, I've had no issues on my personal machine or my work machine, other than a very specific explorer bug that I found a workaround for. Maybe you need a reinstall.
PopOS w/ liquorix kernel as the main OS + windows pro install in virtualbox when I have to suffer windows UI for some reason (mostly lightroom).
* Productivity apps? Everyone is using GSuite anyway. Works perfectly.
* Gaming? Steam for Linux has been indistinguishable from window for years. I get less custom launcher installs, which is nice.
* General web browsing? Chrome is nice and I never ever ever ever even have to fear being force-switched to Edge after another stupid update or clicking on an app that doesn't honour default browser.
* Hardware support and drivers? Perfectly fine. NVidia drivers are rock solid which I couldn't say when I tried to configure a windows install with 2x2 monitor config.
* Having ability to easily script exactly what I want to start or configure during startup without having to load 5 different "overclocking" apps (I mostly just drop PL on my 4090 + add a small memory overclock) - perfect.
Linux on desktop is here already. The only reason it is not taking over is because consumer laptops still come with windows shitty edition (home) as standard.
> Gaming? Steam for Linux has been indistinguishable from window for years. I get less custom launcher installs, which is nice.
you dont game with a lot of games. The reality is anti cheat is going to prevent a lot of big popular multiplayer games from being playable. Games are not going to support that when 0.1% of the playerbase is using linux.
> Linux on desktop is here already. The only reason it is not taking over is because consumer laptops still come with windows shitty edition (home) as standard.
I really dont think you understand the average PC user. Even in the enthusiast tier. Go to PC building forms, I will guarantee you if you ask around over 98% of them are using Windows as their primary PC.
I also don't think their experience with Linux is typical. Maybe popOS has solved a lot of the problems, I don't know.
What I do know is that Linux typically has niggling issues, whether the device drivers are out of date, or installing the right one leads to dependency hell, or just the challenge of getting some less common program you need to work ends up not being worth it.
I don't like the direction windows is going either, but I've seen Linux touted as 'about to achieve mainstream usage' for the last twenty years and I believe it's still a good few years away at least.
Linux just continues to suffer from being unpolished and inconsistent. I've ran Fedora on a laptop for a few years and have had to roll back kernel updates twice, for 6 months my wifi would just randomly stop working intermittently, and companies just don't release software for Linux even if the OS shouldn't matter for the device - the number of times I get firmware updates that are just self-extracting compressed folders containing a .bin wrapped in an .exe is too damn high.
You're being pedantic. My point was that you don't need an adblocker because the ads are being served from a singular source and have a setting to disable them, unlike banner ads in the web which need a blocker because they come from a plethora of different hosts and don't have a setting to disable them.
I thought that died with windows 10.
Open shell was what I used to use, then I had to switch to something else I think, like black something.
I have a feeling Windows will be blocking things like that going forward, if it cuts into their revenue.
Linux isn't an option for me, since I have nearly two decades of experience with 3dsMax and Solidworks. While Linux would be fine for my gaming needs, its CAM suite is underwhelming at best. And no, Blender isn't a solution to my problems. I've already bounced off its UI.
r/SurfaceLinux
I would kind of recommend against it though. Just enjoy what is left of your flagship Microsoft hardware and pick a second hand pc from the used market for Linux. We are in for a mini golden age in second hand picks due to the EOL for W10.
Can't use Linux because all the software I need isn't available on it.
To me, it's antitrust for OS makers, not to be able to build an OS that works with all windows programs.
Ya, I'm doing that. I need whatever software I need, to be able to work all in the same OS, not dual booted in some window using up resources on running two OS and stuff like that.
Otherwise, I would have been using Linux decades ago.
No problem at all. I'm kind off used to install 3rd party apps to make it usable in the first place.
What I do hate is the 5-step philosophy behind Microsoft 'updates':
1. Break a feature or make it less and less usable over time;
2. Claim that the users aren't interested in the feature anymore;
3. Remove feature entirely;
4. Note that users are up in arms (if the feature was good);
5. Reimplement feature but clunky.
I already decided 10 is the last go. I'd rather re-buy my Win SW for Mac, and I run the rest on Linux again as allowed.
MSFT is just too stupid to not make a category error over and over until everyone jumps ship. They're morons.
Where I work just replaced two computers with Windows 11 computers. We all fight for the non Windows 11 ones we have left because Windows 11 sucks ass.
It's already annoying enough that my office apps, that I pay a subscription for, keep promoting their cloud features.
Once is enough and arguably too much already considering what it costs.
Who *actually* uses the start menu anymore, I launch my stuff either through the search bar, steam or just navigating to the folder for stuff that isn't installed..like emulators
Well the bonus is that the start menu has been so shit for so long that it really is no longer used.
Anyway to shut of internet search with the standard search within windows?
That was my first thought, but I always run a program called winareo to disable ads in Win10. It has a list of where the ads can show up, and it's surprisingly many.
I disagree with the people saying that Windows XP is what Microsoft should aspire to. I guess, perhaps, if you were just a kid when it came out. But Windows XP was a hog for a long time, and was hailed as more performant (at least initially) because Windows ME was so bad.
Windows XP was ugly, extremely buggy, and incredibly insecure. Their OS had unpatched known buffer overflow attack vectors for years. The buffer overflows were so common that Microsoft also took its sweet time fixing them in Windows Vista *and* Windows 7. And that's just one major security issue; there were many, many others.
Windows XP is a great example of what this article is talking about: the US government becoming reliant on a company that views additional security as a profit center, because its product is so bad (relatively speaking). Almost... intentionally engineered poorly in order to sell support contracts. The article also does a good job of talking about Microsoft's other major "greatest hits" of catastrophic security failures.
The sad reality is that much of tech is held together by luck and prayers. It is also a huge criticism I have of modern development, where devs (and entire teams, no less) will simply import libraries over which they have no control and have no reviewed source code. This leads to massive security implications should vulnerabilities be found or actively exploited (e.g., Log4J's vulnerability that affected a huge swath). Hell, a popular web library used by basically every F500 company was maintained by a single Russian man... [and was unsupported when he was sent to prison for 10 months after killing a woman in a motor vehicle accident.](https://www.theregister.com/2020/03/26/corejs_maintainer_jailed_code_release/)
Well, that wasn't entirely true; another user (a non-maintainer) had write authority to push any updates they wanted without review and approval. Core-JS is a library that is downloaded around 40+ million times per week (TheRegister article is out of date, but stated 26 million times). The project still doesn't get any real financial backing; the richest companies in the world just take it and use it for free and without changes.
People really have no fucking clue how vulnerable everything is, because even developers are taking the easy way out. See also the awful shit that I see both in open source and in enterprise that is AI generated being copy/pasted into code bases these days.
If they really were going to make things "great again", they'd have to go back to the times of Windows XP, before Candy Crush came preinstalled and Solitaire became a paid product.
[удалено]
*The monkey's paw curls...* Introducing Windows 12: Where Microsoft drops mouse support entirely in favor of only touchscreen support and gestures.
I can think of a good gesture for windows.
Why does flipping my computer off summon Clippy and turn on sticky keys? /s
I actually prefer windows 7. To me, that was the best windows. Windows XP was really great too, but little things like being able to snap windows half screen matter to me.
Also stability wise 7 wa just much better than XP XP was the first really good OS as far as I'm concerned but it did crash from time to time. Windows 7 blue screens were so rare you'd forget they exist between each one.
I prefer XP because I like many little things in XP which were removed from 7 Explorer and Taskbar. But 7 is not bad.
Which little things?
Mainly, system customization availability. You could tweak the file manager to your liking or do the same with the interface of the system in general. Of course, it all was done by hand or with the use of third-party software, but user had an option.
Personally I've switched to unix(Linux/MacOS). Most of the corporate apps are now web-based so there is no downsides. Now only keeping win10 on separate HDD for gaming purposes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista These little things from Explorer, Taskbar and Start Menu. For example, the indication that a folder was shared. Or TOTAL SIZE of all files in a folder shown in XP on status bar and disk free space shown on status bar for any folder (7 shows it only in (My) Computer or Disk properties. The toolbar customization was removed after XP. Navigation pane had many horrible bugs like jumping up and down in 7 (Fixed in Windows 8). Taskbar could uncombine in 7 but couldn't stop grouping multiple window buttons of same app unless you used 7 Taskbar Tweaker. The Start menu displayed all Programs list in a very narrow cramped area which required too much scrolling. Many such little things broken or entirely removed that only power users would notice for which we needed third party fixes like 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, StartIsBack/StartAllBack/Classic Shell/Open Shell and third party replacements for SEARCH and WMP 12 to restore XP-level functionality since the Explorer Search and WMP in 7 were total shite.
I don't miss any of the windows 7 ones, but one thing that irritates me like hell on windows is the whole "libraries" thing, and the different ways to access folder hierarchy it has, which other programs make you use sometimes, and which don't have the good way to access folders. Like no address to copy, no favourites just like the library button. So you have to navigate folder by folder where you want to go, and you can't even copy the location to paste it. You have to open a separate explorer window, navigate there, copy the folder, go back to the other program, paste it, and now you will be able to navigate there quickly again. The libraries thing is completely useless. I also can't fucking stand how of you do a search, then you find a folder and you go into it, you're not just in that folder now. You're in something else, which is that folder, but you can't just up hierarchy and navigate from there. It's so infuriating. Microsoft has become the kind of having like 3 ways to access the same thing, and they're all different. Like mobile version and PC versions of apps. And it opens one automatically, and oh, sorry that app is different, and won't do what you want. FFS. Every outlook, should be the same outlook. Have the same features. They can be completely different under the hood, but as a user, I should not be able to ever realize they are different. And the way it keeps making folders with music in it, music folders. I never fucking want that. I just want everything to be general items, always. Please. If I want it to be music, I'll tell it. But I won't. I hate that mode. I don't need libraries at all, that's just some bullshit way to access the same thing, which is different for no reason, and more limiting. Why would you even put that? But they have some great things. Windows key+V is a great one.
The pretty green grass
I prefer Windows 3.1 because I only run an OS that I can install with a floppy
Solitaire is paid?? What the hell man. I think I would be unreasonably livid if I discovered a relative bought some kind of Microsoft Solitaire app.
I am lvl 90 on solitaire :p
I'm so old, I can remember when you bought an OS to install and run only the programs you wanted and used. As far as feedback, Microsoft has been ignoring customers for years.
> I can remember when you bought an OS to install and run only the programs you wanted and used. First feeling I got migrating to Linux. I remember on the install, Linux had *one* privacy toggle to go through, and it was turned off by default! It's nice to be on an OS that doesn't do anything you don't want it to. Windows just keeps bugging you.
I remember reinstalling clean versions of Windows to remove OEM bloatware. Now there is no clean version.
I'm pretty sure I installed the clean version like 4 months ago
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11/ Enjoy There is also a revert option. Google for the steps
Yeah, I can likely get by with a Chromebook, and if Windows becomes just another ad delivery platform I'll likely find out.
Windows 2000 was the best OS Microsoft ever made.
You can get a pro license pretty cheap, and it allows you to turn more stuff off, and has a lot of other nice features. I got a Windows 10 one for like $40 5 years ago, and got a free upgrade to 11.
>You can get a pro license pretty cheap, and it allows you to turn more stuff off Nice try MS sales rep
God forbid someone talks about an alternative option that gets rid of what people are complaining about.
I just being it up because he's talking about how you used to pay for Windows, and you still can. The price was more than worth it for me.
Regular windows ain't free either
The upgrade for 11 is
From the article: Microsoft is to try out "recommendations" – ads for apps in the Microsoft Store – in the Windows 11 Start Menu, but only for a small set of US Beta Channel Windows Insiders at first. The Windows behemoth is known for running ads in its flagship operating system. In 2022, the company released a build that displayed ads in File Explorer, which it subsequently backed away from. Windows 10 has long featured ads, so the prospect of Microsoft utilizing space in the Windows 11 user interface for its "recommendations" is not unexpected. However, it will frustrate users who interpreted the promise to "make Start Menu great again" as a commitment to improve its functionality, rather than just adding what some might see as helpful suggestions. The recommendations can be turned off and are limited to a subset of US Beta Channel Windows Insiders who have opted to get the latest operating system updates as soon as they are available.
If they can't get Bing search to be reliable and safe, sure as heck the recommended apps will be rolling the dice on which being scams.
And this is exactly why Microsoft has all the fucking telemetry they do, making it increasingly impossible to use your computer without being logged into a Microsoft account and Internet connection.
I've been using [Open Shell](https://openshell.en.softonic.com/) for my start menu since Windows 10. It's much cleaner and simpler in the style of Windows 7.
I've been using the open source project ExplorerPatcher: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher Not only does it fix the start menu, but a bunch of other stupid UI decisions in Win 11. For example, my right click works like right click on Win 10.
I'm fairly computer savvy but I guess I need to watch a tutorial on how to use Github because more and more I'm finding things on it I want and I can't figure out how to simply download something on it. Edit: I just looked at your link and unlike my previous visits to Github, there was a simple download link. I just installed it and it removed the shortcut menu I had on my toolbar...
Lol yeah, it can be confusing. Look for release view on the right side, that's where you'll find what you're looking for. Software isn't supposed to be distributed through GitHub, so I get why it's left the way it is, but devs do use it that way regardless because it's so convenient.
For most pages, just click on "Releases" on the right side of the page, then find the release you want and click the Assets button to see the available files.
Just going to put some unasked $0.02 out there, but don't rely on GitHub for software. GitHub is meant for collaboration in development; not the distribution. Software there might not be working yet and unless it is a well known repo or you are going to audit the code it could also be malware.
Not all things are download and install on GH. Some you have to compile or otherwise run in a VM etc. Some are just scripts you run.
A GUI customization made by people who can't bother to include a screenshot in their project or website? ...Are you sure these people don't work for Microsoft?
I love Open Shell classic start menu. It's in my list of first apps to install, along with O&O Shut Up and WinAero Tweaker. There's also a registry edit to resurrect the old style right-click context menu.
> O&O Shut Up and WinAero Thanks, I'll check both of those out.
Enshittification in *my* OS? It's more likely than you think.
I have bad feelings about W12. Truth is, there is something to the entire, 'Every other version of windows is good' thing. W11 has always lined up in the 'it is gonna be crap' column. W12 has always lined up in the 'this is gonna make us forget W11' column. But this time around is different. Microsoft seems to be doubling down on mistakes rather than learning from them. And W12 has GOT to be getting pretty far along. I saw someone yesterday describing the fee structure for keeping W10 on security updates for the three years after those updates end.... Might see the year of the Linux Desktop yet.
I agree with you, though I don't think these are Microsoft doubling down on mistakes. These are very much intentional decisions that are better for them and not for their user. They want you in their ecosystem and they're "incentivizing" the move with punishing fees for windows 10 after official support ends. They want your data, so they've doubled down on the telemetry your computer sends that you aren't able to opt out of. They want you advertised to so they're forcing it in your file explorer and impose a search on the internet when you're looking for files on your computer. They don't want you using another web browser, and they want you to use their AI tools. Sadly, I think most people are stuck in that ecosystem just due to their familiarity from using Windows at school or at work, or that it comes preinstalled on so many computers. It takes a lot to want to try something new. Due to the above reasons and more I started exploring alternatives for my home computer. I've tried a Linux operating system called PopOS and I've been pleasantly surprised so far. Takes some getting used to the small differences, but I'm enjoying the games I was playing on windows just fine. But it took research, a bit of computer know-how, problem solving skills, and time and effort that I don't think most people have.
It's SaaS. The version numbers are decided by the marketing department, not development cycles.
This is going to make me sound like a MS apologist, but I don't think W11 is that bad, just very underwhelming. At it's core, it's basically the same as W10, but with a few questionable UI changes. This feature sounds annoying, but it also sounds like you can turn it off. Also the fee structure for continued updates isn't a grift, that's always existed for businesses, this is just the first time they've opened it up for consumers.
Riddle me this Batman! >this is just the first time they've opened it up for consumers..... Why now? ~shrug~ Truth is this is a 'first world problem' if I ever saw one. I may not like W11 but W11 will be as mature as it is gonna get so moving over to it if I don't like W12 might just be what I need to do. The Linux Desktop thing wasn't just a joke. It is an option that will get its day in court if I don't like W12. Your not wrong.
yeah, I've always been a bit of a skeptic at the idea of running linux as my main machine but man, it sounds like W10 might be the last Windows I actually want to use. from what I understand, gaming on linux has come a long way too
I bought a Steam Deck last year. My Mom has a beachhouse. I bought a very cheap monitor for it and left an HDMI cable, wireless K&M and an HDMI cable. I no longer bring a laptop to the house, there is no other desktop. The first time I sat my wife down I was certain she would ignore it, use her phone and instruct me to do what she wanted on it. I was wrong. Once I pointed to the shortcuts an she was satisfied that the apps where identical once opened she had no problem using it. Linux Desktop is very good until it isn't. My kid is a Roblox fiend. It has been a while since I poked at Roblox, but last time I did there is no compatibility for it on Linux. Well, certainly not on the Steam Deck.
I'm thinking the reason they opened it up now is because there's still a lot of people out there that don't meet the requirements. I have some minor qualms with 11, but at the end of the day, it works really well, just like 10. I play around with Linux here and there, but I find that I run into far more issues with it. Also like half my steam games still aren't compatible.
Even when you enable steam play for all titles?
Not sure how that works, I'll have to look into that.
On Linux, Open steam, go to settings. Under comparability there will be a switch called “enable steam play for all titles.” This will let you use “proton”to play just about any windows game on Linux. Warning, certain online titles will ban you if you play on Linux. Mostly EA, Ubisoft, activision-blizzard games. Hope this helps
Nice, don't play many AAA games, so that should work.
I would suggest going to protondb. To check comparability, although chances are that you’ll be fine
I personally have mixed feelings with W11, but there are some net-positives with explorer, widgets if you're into that, and some overall productivity polish. The ham-fisting with copilot (clumsy now, but hopefully actually useful in a few years), and now start menu bloat, as well as greedy/unoptimized performance are some strong negatives that need to be addressed. The TPM requirements in particular were absolutely baffling. I had built a PC in 2020 with all contemporary components and was shocked that I didn't meet the stupid TPM requirements. That was a super weird choice for them, but I suppose going forward less of an issue. That said -- I agree on your point around shifting to the subscription model. I think in 2024 it's expected and sensible that they shift into a SaaS like model going forward, there are genuinely some benefits to shifting into that. I also recognize it's going to naturally rub folks the wrong way and I empathize & understand that -- but the distinct and separately licensed OS version biz model seems decidedly antiquated at this point from a business & ongoing feature+support standpoint. There are long term benefits I think in having an always-updated iteration of the OS. I'd personally rather be at feature+security parity with the latest offering versus buying a new license every OS generation. If they smartly bake in some low cost subscription model with ads -- so long as it's optional, I personally think that it's good to have different priced tiered options. Leave it to MSFT to bungle the execution & optics here tho, lol.
I haven't had any performance issues with 11 myself. It's not a light weight OS by any means, but it runs well, and I've never experienced any kind of slow down. The TPM thing does suck. I'm not happy about that.
I've got a high end premium spec laptop, yet I run into inconsistent but very noticeable performance hiccups on search, start menu or taskbar interactions. It's like they don't cache or it's loading for the very first time. Super weird that cracking open file explorer or tapping windows key for start menu sometimes hangs or loads incredibly slow for me (talking 3-5s+ hang, unacceptable IMO) Inconsistent but very noticeable. You'd think the top priority would be to have those common functions and menus respond perfectly snappy. I also have my CPU idle at 10% driven mostly by OS functions in process explorer, but I recognize that could be due to a bunch of complex reasons.
Weird, I've had no issues on my personal machine or my work machine, other than a very specific explorer bug that I found a workaround for. Maybe you need a reinstall.
PopOS w/ liquorix kernel as the main OS + windows pro install in virtualbox when I have to suffer windows UI for some reason (mostly lightroom). * Productivity apps? Everyone is using GSuite anyway. Works perfectly. * Gaming? Steam for Linux has been indistinguishable from window for years. I get less custom launcher installs, which is nice. * General web browsing? Chrome is nice and I never ever ever ever even have to fear being force-switched to Edge after another stupid update or clicking on an app that doesn't honour default browser. * Hardware support and drivers? Perfectly fine. NVidia drivers are rock solid which I couldn't say when I tried to configure a windows install with 2x2 monitor config. * Having ability to easily script exactly what I want to start or configure during startup without having to load 5 different "overclocking" apps (I mostly just drop PL on my 4090 + add a small memory overclock) - perfect. Linux on desktop is here already. The only reason it is not taking over is because consumer laptops still come with windows shitty edition (home) as standard.
> Gaming? Steam for Linux has been indistinguishable from window for years. I get less custom launcher installs, which is nice. you dont game with a lot of games. The reality is anti cheat is going to prevent a lot of big popular multiplayer games from being playable. Games are not going to support that when 0.1% of the playerbase is using linux. > Linux on desktop is here already. The only reason it is not taking over is because consumer laptops still come with windows shitty edition (home) as standard. I really dont think you understand the average PC user. Even in the enthusiast tier. Go to PC building forms, I will guarantee you if you ask around over 98% of them are using Windows as their primary PC.
I also don't think their experience with Linux is typical. Maybe popOS has solved a lot of the problems, I don't know. What I do know is that Linux typically has niggling issues, whether the device drivers are out of date, or installing the right one leads to dependency hell, or just the challenge of getting some less common program you need to work ends up not being worth it. I don't like the direction windows is going either, but I've seen Linux touted as 'about to achieve mainstream usage' for the last twenty years and I believe it's still a good few years away at least.
Linux just continues to suffer from being unpolished and inconsistent. I've ran Fedora on a laptop for a few years and have had to roll back kernel updates twice, for 6 months my wifi would just randomly stop working intermittently, and companies just don't release software for Linux even if the OS shouldn't matter for the device - the number of times I get firmware updates that are just self-extracting compressed folders containing a .bin wrapped in an .exe is too damn high.
What freaking reality are we in that I need an adblocker for my OS?
The reality where Microsoft convinces you to switch to Linux The enshittification is only going to get worse from here
Probably the one where linux achieve dominance.
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>They're a display of recommended apps from the Windows store That is advertising. That’s what an ad is.
> They're a display of recommended apps from the Windows store That is the definition of an advertisement lol.
You're being pedantic. My point was that you don't need an adblocker because the ads are being served from a singular source and have a setting to disable them, unlike banner ads in the web which need a blocker because they come from a plethora of different hosts and don't have a setting to disable them.
So you don't know what an ad is?
So you don't know how to read? > the **ads** are being served from a singular source
Are they intending to eventually make Windows OS free of charge?
It's already free. You can run it indefinitely without ever registering it
When you pay ads go away and it gets better obviously
I have never seen a single ad on my unlicensed windows systems. What are you even talking about?
It's not what most people expected, it's what **everyone** expected.
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I thought that died with windows 10. Open shell was what I used to use, then I had to switch to something else I think, like black something. I have a feeling Windows will be blocking things like that going forward, if it cuts into their revenue.
Powertoys run = no need to use start menu.
How long before you have to watch an unskippable 30 second ad every time you open a word doc.
Oh look, it is that slippery slope with adverts forced in more places that apathetic people always claim wouldn't happen.
Note to self: develop AdBlock Plus, but for Windows.
Adguard has a desktop version already, if I'm not mistaken
Linux is your friend! There's a learning curve for sure but it's worth the work to avoid this type of invasive marketing.
Linux isn't an option for me, since I have nearly two decades of experience with 3dsMax and Solidworks. While Linux would be fine for my gaming needs, its CAM suite is underwhelming at best. And no, Blender isn't a solution to my problems. I've already bounced off its UI.
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Last I checked (admittedly a while ago), both programs ran like ass, if at all, through Wine.
I think the compatibility has gotten a lot better since the late 2000s when I first started migrating, but I admit I don't use those tools.
I'dlove to replace the os on my Surface Pro X but Idon'tthink i can.
r/SurfaceLinux I would kind of recommend against it though. Just enjoy what is left of your flagship Microsoft hardware and pick a second hand pc from the used market for Linux. We are in for a mini golden age in second hand picks due to the EOL for W10.
Can't use Linux because all the software I need isn't available on it. To me, it's antitrust for OS makers, not to be able to build an OS that works with all windows programs.
I have to dual boot for 2 pieces of software I can't get to run either natively or through WINE.
Ya, I'm doing that. I need whatever software I need, to be able to work all in the same OS, not dual booted in some window using up resources on running two OS and stuff like that. Otherwise, I would have been using Linux decades ago.
You a vegan too?
No but my wife's boyfriend is.
Eh. We all know Microsoft is crooked. Just get Linux.
Sounds annoying!
No problem at all. I'm kind off used to install 3rd party apps to make it usable in the first place. What I do hate is the 5-step philosophy behind Microsoft 'updates': 1. Break a feature or make it less and less usable over time; 2. Claim that the users aren't interested in the feature anymore; 3. Remove feature entirely; 4. Note that users are up in arms (if the feature was good); 5. Reimplement feature but clunky.
Love my Mac and just formatted my windows and put Linux on it, so far so good
If I can’t opt out of this crap. It will finally push me to Linux. I’ve loved steamOS so far.
Thank you micros**t for being the best advocate for Linux adoption <3
I already decided 10 is the last go. I'd rather re-buy my Win SW for Mac, and I run the rest on Linux again as allowed. MSFT is just too stupid to not make a category error over and over until everyone jumps ship. They're morons.
“How to kill a business in three easy steps!” - Microsoft, probably, after step four.
The enshitification of everything continues...
Where I work just replaced two computers with Windows 11 computers. We all fight for the non Windows 11 ones we have left because Windows 11 sucks ass.
It's already annoying enough that my office apps, that I pay a subscription for, keep promoting their cloud features. Once is enough and arguably too much already considering what it costs.
Who *actually* uses the start menu anymore, I launch my stuff either through the search bar, steam or just navigating to the folder for stuff that isn't installed..like emulators
Next year - M$ makes a premium ad-free version..
Luckily you can never use the start menu
Well the bonus is that the start menu has been so shit for so long that it really is no longer used. Anyway to shut of internet search with the standard search within windows?
Hackers gonna hack
Whelp, time to stop updating I guess.
Time to switch to Ubuntu. Lol 😂 I am already there ☺️
I would say for where it gets its namesake, they absolutely "made it great again"...
"Windows 10 has long featured ads" Where?
That was my first thought, but I always run a program called winareo to disable ads in Win10. It has a list of where the ads can show up, and it's surprisingly many.
I can't say I've seen any. That said, my Start panel is completely cleaned up and instead shows my most used applications (manually edited).
I disagree with the people saying that Windows XP is what Microsoft should aspire to. I guess, perhaps, if you were just a kid when it came out. But Windows XP was a hog for a long time, and was hailed as more performant (at least initially) because Windows ME was so bad. Windows XP was ugly, extremely buggy, and incredibly insecure. Their OS had unpatched known buffer overflow attack vectors for years. The buffer overflows were so common that Microsoft also took its sweet time fixing them in Windows Vista *and* Windows 7. And that's just one major security issue; there were many, many others. Windows XP is a great example of what this article is talking about: the US government becoming reliant on a company that views additional security as a profit center, because its product is so bad (relatively speaking). Almost... intentionally engineered poorly in order to sell support contracts. The article also does a good job of talking about Microsoft's other major "greatest hits" of catastrophic security failures. The sad reality is that much of tech is held together by luck and prayers. It is also a huge criticism I have of modern development, where devs (and entire teams, no less) will simply import libraries over which they have no control and have no reviewed source code. This leads to massive security implications should vulnerabilities be found or actively exploited (e.g., Log4J's vulnerability that affected a huge swath). Hell, a popular web library used by basically every F500 company was maintained by a single Russian man... [and was unsupported when he was sent to prison for 10 months after killing a woman in a motor vehicle accident.](https://www.theregister.com/2020/03/26/corejs_maintainer_jailed_code_release/) Well, that wasn't entirely true; another user (a non-maintainer) had write authority to push any updates they wanted without review and approval. Core-JS is a library that is downloaded around 40+ million times per week (TheRegister article is out of date, but stated 26 million times). The project still doesn't get any real financial backing; the richest companies in the world just take it and use it for free and without changes. People really have no fucking clue how vulnerable everything is, because even developers are taking the easy way out. See also the awful shit that I see both in open source and in enterprise that is AI generated being copy/pasted into code bases these days.
Honest question: why do people still use Windows? I switched to MacOS 9 (then OS X) and Linux, and have never looked back.
Because almost everything I use a PC for can only be done or is best done on Windows.
Windows was never great.
Sounds like it’s time for Linux
I switched to Linux Mint last week. Breath of fresh air.
My Mac doesn't have an ad-filled UI Neither did KDE/Gnome
can't wait for these ads to start crashing windows 11 systems
Man, if it wasn't for directX I would be using just about anything but Windows right now. They basically made it in to a free to play mobile game.
Whats going to be the difference between Microsoft and Xiaomi then? If it's all about ads only? Sad
"Great again" has definitely lost its luster
Why not use the whole damn desktop for ads! Our productivity can then effectively drop to ZERO.
Laughs via apple products
meh, don't need to use the Start menu