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Windows just changed my desktop wallpaper and re-added the search bar without my permission after an update

In my view, this is unacceptable...

They changed my background (previously there was a default blue window), placed an icon in the bottom corner of the screen that read "Learn more about this photo", and re-added the search bar that I had previously removed.

Fortunately, I don't have to deal with this on a daily basis.

katMann390 ,
@katMann390@lemmy.world avatar

This shit is probably worse on windows 11, I'm still sticking with 10 for years even after it's life cycle. And even after it gets hard to use im switching Linux. When my computer dies dies.

shasta ,

They're trying to tell you to go outside

mjhelto ,

It even did the same thing with enterprise customers. All our machines suddenly started asking us to enable search. Like why do I need another thing when opening the Start Menu and typing is the same fucking thing?? And to fuck with my group policies and undo the customization I had is mega infuriating.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

Test updates before deploying

ProgrammingSocks ,

They didn't say they deployed it, also enterprise operating systems are generally expected to not suddenly change manually-set policies for users...

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

Well Microsoft can do whatever they want really. Testing can just help to see it coming before you get run over

Cognitive_Dissident ,

All your data are belong to Microsoft

You don't own your computer anymore, Microsoft just allows you to use it.

DAMunzy ,

Somebody set up us the bomb!

We get signal.

What!

Main screen turn on.

It's you!!

How are you gentlemen!!

Cognitive_Dissident ,

Exactly.

stalfoss ,

Sweet wallpaper though

ArcaneSlime ,

Why do you subject yourself to this? Cast off your chains, become a free $USER.

weststadtgesicht ,

It's clearly a VM

ArcaneSlime ,

Shh you're no fun.

PlutoniumAcid ,
@PlutoniumAcid@lemmy.world avatar

Because it's not our fucking choice, you imbecile. Corporate does as corporate wants. I can't install your precious penguin on my work machine, okay??!

ArcaneSlime ,

Skill issue, get a better job.

Holzkohlen ,

Damn, even as a Linux user I get tired with all these "windows bad" posts. Yes, we all know it sucks. No lemmy user wants to use windows.

blusterydayve26 ,

The good old, “If it’s not your source, it’s not your computer.”

ramble81 ,

I just run Windows 11 Enterprise and don’t see any of this crap

Princeali311 ,

Do tell about this. Are there any downsides? Any compatibility issues with hardware or software?

ramble81 ,

Only downside is it tends to be a bit behind on feature updates which is probably a good thing. All hardware and software is completely compatible. The other bonus is it gives more fine grained controls over telemetry that home and pro don’t.

Princeali311 ,

Okay this sounds like a major win win. I'm guessing security is probably better too. I'm building a new PC soon and this is looking incredibly enticing.

penquin ,
@penquin@lemm.ee avatar

Chris Titus made this tool. I use it to debloat windows, disable all the telemetry, then pause all feature updates for two years and let only security updates through. As an added bonus (and if you want win11), he added a tool to create a micro windows iso. I am running the micro and it has been fantastic. I even removed defender and other garbage they force on people.

AngryCommieKender ,

I wonder how many people confuse him for the comedian.

DuckPuppet ,

I just did

Death_Equity ,

I assumed it wasn't the comedian, but bought that he might be angry enough at Windows to make it happen.

penquin ,
@penquin@lemm.ee avatar

Didn't even know about a comedian with this name

AngryCommieKender ,

He's pretty good. Kinda like a left leaning Dennis Leary

penquin ,
@penquin@lemm.ee avatar

Who's Dennis Leary? 😂
Sorry, immigrant here and don't know many people.

AngryCommieKender ,

He's an asshole

He's a comedian from the '90s and early '00s

penquin ,
@penquin@lemm.ee avatar

Oh, ok. Good thing I didn't know him I guess.

AngryCommieKender ,

Nah, look him up. He is actually funny, but a bit right wing these days. He was closer to mainstream in the '90s

Oh, and watch the video. It is funny.

AngryCommieKender ,

Oh definitely look up Christopher Titus on YouTube he put all his standup specials on there for free.

iopq ,

I used a similar tool in the past. When I wanted to re-enable something, I forgot which tool I used to disable it, and I couldn't actually get it working ever again

IDew ,

I wish there was an easier way to tell people about Ameliorated and give it a try. Having Windows update and edge removed has already been so much better.

Now I do have to mention that I still run the iso they offered back on version 21H1 which I prefer because installing Windows takes roughly 2 minutes until it's ready to do whatever

sternail ,

Nice, looks really cool. Wanted to do a clean install anyway, will give it a try.

Illuminostro , (edited )

Silly consumer. You thought you owned your copy of Windows. You LEASED it! "

artvabas ,

Poor you!

JackbyDev ,

Yeah, I don't view changing your desktop background when you were using the default as an issue lol.

UndercoverUlrikHD ,

The fact Microsoft keeps re-enabling features users are disabling isn't something to just ignore. Imagine if they were the silently turn on a feature like Recall.

Appoxo ,
@Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Never happened on my systems. And I oversee >200 systems.
This screams the microsoft diashow feature for the background. Those (at times) rarely change and OP probably applied the wallpaper by right-clicking a picture instead of changing it from the settings and that's at best a bug because Windows didnt notice you set the wallpaper from a different part of the system...

UndercoverUlrikHD ,

I was mostly referring to the search bar and I've seen multiple people report Microsoft updates reverting settings.

Appoxo ,
@Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Microsoft reverting settings never happened to me as well.
Might be US (or non-EU) users getting shafted as per usual.

MonkderDritte , (edited )

I do, it's userspace. Expectation is that they keep their paws away after user set it up.

JackbyDev ,

If someone didn't explicitly choose to use the default then they didn't set it up. They were just using the default.

MonkderDritte ,

Yeah, and that's where the OS vendor shouldn't meddle anymore.

JackbyDev ,

Ooooh, so meddlesome, the default desktop background changed, big corpo is coming for you. Come on, we shouldn't mix actually valid complaints with stupid stuff like this. OP specifically mentioned the search bar thing that they turned off. That's valid. Forgive me if I don't see the problem with changing the default desktop background, something that literally all OSes and Desktop Environments do fairly regularly that nobody raises a fuss about.

flying_sheep ,
@flying_sheep@lemmy.ml avatar

I agree with you here. As soon as you change something, that should be respected but as long as you use the default theme/wallpaper/… that could just as well mean that you prefer tracking the default or don't care at all.

Now bringing back the explicitly disabled search bar really is atrocious

wafflez ,

VirusOS

Agent641 ,

VirOS

AngryCommieKender ,

That one was programmed by Vir Cotto, and Lennier

fox2263 , (edited )

I love to extol the virtues of ReviOS. You’ll never have to worry about windows doing things ever again as it rips the guts out of windows. Seriously check it out.

It’s real easy to install.

Also what Linux and theme are you running there?

Highrisedrifter ,

I think I might have to check this out.

fox2263 ,

I use it on my VMs, my bootcamp and my main gaming pc.

You download the AME tool, load in the Revi playbook and press go. Just need to disable AV for it to do its magic.

Highrisedrifter ,

Ah nice. I sadly need to keep Windows as I have some expensive software that only runs on that os (video and music production), but Windows 11 is a massive step back for a power user. Thanks for the heads up.

fox2263 ,

I quite like 11 after it’s had a good going over with Revision!

localhost443 ,

I've steered away from these as a hangover of trust issues back from the old XP 'lite' ISO days. However since Microsoft is clearly the main source of malware on windows these days I think its time to let that go..

fox2263 ,

Well thankfully it’s an open source playbook now and not an ISO anymore. Plus it’s got a decent discord server to chat about it

localhost443 ,

Yeah I'll give it a go on my machine soon. I only run win in a VM with a gfx card passed through these days anyway just to use some software I have no option for, so didn't really give it too much thought as there is no data on that system worth stealing anyway. But good to hear its oss.

fox2263 ,

Here it is:

https://github.com/meetrevision/playbook

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