My new PC will be delivered this week. I've never used 11. I've had 8 all this time. I spent the extra money to get Windows 11 Pro in the hopes I could avoid more annoyances that way. I just wasn't willing to jump into Unix.

I just want the desktop and not whatever new horrors Windows tries to force on you since 8. I have a Charms Bar killer app for 8. Why anybody would want super annoying non-desktop crap is beyond me.

  1. What can I do to eliminate annoyances - bloatware, spyware, etc.

  2. What should I do to protect my privacy from Microsoft? I want to turn everything off that reports to the fucking MS mothership.

  3. What apps, utilities, etc should I install? I'd like to use non-MS apps and utilities instead of whatever garbage comes with Windows.

  4. What apps, utilities, etc should I avoid?

  5. What am I forgetting to ask?

  • BodyBySisyphus [he/him]
    ·
    1 month ago

    I had to get Everywhere and turn off the native search service because it kept thrashing my RAM (I have 24 GB! What was it doing?) and StartAllBack (worth the $5 for a license) to restore the ability to move and customize the Taskbar.

    I just logged a 10 hour workday trying to troubleshoot a web app my workplace has only to discover one of the required Python packages only works correctly if compiled on Linux so I am packing my bags and moving to dual boot land. I'll deal with the hassle for MS Office because there is no escape, but I hate Windows 11.