I always remember WannaCry as a reason to keep Windows updated (no, I wasn’t affected by it), but every new update is full of AI bloat :S
I keep all the communication with the mothership blocked and open just the Wuauserv, Bits and few domains just for updates, and every new update that are new services trying to call home, and this one update sitting here waiting for me to allow internet access I read the content and it is very descriptive about “Copilot+ PCs unique features”, “AI-Powered experience”, “Accessibility and input” (they added AI to a bunch of stuff), “User interface and experience” (more AI and widgets), then they say they added this Windows Hello and Windows Share that I don’t even want to know, and for security all they say is “Critical security fixes are included to help keep your system protected against emerging threats.” but to get this I need to get all their AI crap that might be a bigger security and privacy risk than whatever “Critical security fix” they included :S
The only winning move is not to play.
Linux!
Every new internet-connected feature they add seems to also increase attack surface, so this is a weird dilemma. Still better to keep things up to date in the short term. In the long term, I’ve made the choice to switch to an OS that respects user preferences.
Edit: I’ve also heard that the Windows 11 IoT enterprise edition doesnt come with all this bloat but still gets regular security updates
And every new update you get more crap running in the background, stunting your performance and draining your battery
And every new update you get more crap running in the background, stunting your performance and draining your battery
That’s one way to describe it. Alternately, we could call it an opportunity to upgrade to a new Windows laptop or PC soon. (This is meant as sarcasm, and a guess at what some internal slide deck might say about committing to keeping the operating system lean and efficient…)
Your safest bet would be to install Linux and be done with closed source software completely
To use windows at all.
Join the Linux revolution!
Updating windows is (usually) great for security and terrible for privacy.
Not to be adversarial but it’s either their way or the linux way 🤷♀️
I think it’s way more fun to mess around and problem solve Linux issues than do whatever is you’re doing on windows.
Maybe you have some specific windows use case, in which case my condolences, but you will probably never be as safe you’d like on windows ever
Honestly just emulating a jaikbroken windows 10 on linux might be a decent idea.
You won’t get the weird AI updates and VM helps with security/privacy if you are smart about it.
Alternatively a jailbroken windows 10 on metal BUT with competent, 3rd party antivirus and security software.
Why not just use wine on Linux instead of emulating windows
Your options if you wish to stick with Windows:
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Windows 10 LTSC (massgrave activators and has a guide for getting an ISO for it) which means a reinstallation (best option with Windows, least enshittification, still keep security updates but have to back up your stuff and reinstall everything) though this may not be a long-term plan if you play video games as I expect many places may drop Windows 10 support by 2028-29 end of ESU rather than 2032 end of LTSC support.
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Windows 11 but change to LTSC (massgrave can do this)
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Windows 11 but change to Enterprise license (massgrave can do this) and use Windows Group Policy settings to set target for updates to the current OS build version number which will delay feature updates for I believe up to 6-12 months but allow you immediate security updates. Bad news is you still get the new “features” but good news is they’re delayed significantly and maybe by the time you have to “upgrade” Microsoft has tweaked them to be moderately less bad and much less buggy.
Whats this massgrave thing?
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There is an option to pay for Extended Security Update (ESU) support for Windows 10. It’ll give you access to critical security and Windows Defender antivirus updates, but no fixes or updates to features. There are three ways to pay:
- “Free” if you’re syncing data to their cloud (pay by letting them datamine your data and settings)
- With Microsoft Reward points, which I believe are primarily earned by using Bing (pay by letting them datamine your searches)
- For $30 a year, at least for the first year, though I’ve read the price goes up each year as they want to drive everyone to Win11.
The program would conceivably allow you to kick the can down the road, possibly as far as Oct. 2028. Personally, I opted instead to switch to Linux months ago instead, and don’t regret my choice.
Ltsc is the better route for those staying on Windows with no Microsoft login being required.
Windows 10 ltsc will get security updates until 2032.
WannaCry will never touch you but Microsoft does everyday.
Windows always fails to include a libre software license text file, so we never control it, they do.
You gave them your computer, so don’t moan about it now. If you want it back, you know what to do.
What’s more dangerous for privacy?
To even run Windows at all for personal / business / random use.
go w10 iot ltsc 21h2
Updates are needed for security and not a problem in a gutted Windows 11 (mine use <700 MB RAM), with third party privacy tools, like Portmaster, blocking not needed telemetries and unwanted traffic. Updates almost security patches and Defender definitions
You have only 2 choices. Windows 11, or anything else.
If you cant trust the software, make plans to use something else.
Macos is really good. Linux is really good. If you can’t figure out one, try the other.
E: just read this thread on its native instance. Disregard the input of @oisteink@lemmy.world, if you want to repudiate their implication that vulnerabilities remediated in security updates aren’t important, just look at cisa and shodan. Also if they’re not French then lol.
