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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.

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.

perishthethought ,

Oh, didn't you know? It's not really your PC any longer.

mypasswordis1234 OP ,
@mypasswordis1234@lemmy.world avatar

Fortunately, it's actually mine, cuz I use Fedora with Gnome, which doesn't do these magic tricks 😁

GFGJewbacca ,

I used to use Fedora on my Asus gaming laptop, and loved it. More recently I've chosen to switch over to Manjaro, because I wanted something based on Arch that was more lightweight than Garuda. Gotta love that Linux life.

Eldritch ,
@Eldritch@lemmy.world avatar

Have you tried reborn or endeavor?

GFGJewbacca ,

I tried EndeavourOS, but it didn't fully support my hardware like Manjaro does

Eldritch ,
@Eldritch@lemmy.world avatar

Interesting. I've only had one system that had hardware issue with any of them. And it was of course the finger print reader. Though I suppose it could be a WiFi issue.

GFGJewbacca ,

The issue I had with my Asus ROG laptop was that EndeavourOS didn't support the volume buttons on the keyboard, along with some other keys. It was annoying enough that I went to Manjaro.

valkyre09 ,

The PC might be yours, but that virtual machine is Microsoft’s little bitch

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

I actually enjoy playing with Windows and Active Directory. I think it is ahead in terms of management and needing hacky workarounds

Vilian ,

there isn't active directory for linux?, actually what active directory do diferently?

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

You absolutely can join Linux machines to AD. You just don't have the same power that group policy gives you.

Vilian ,

what group policy gives that unix filesystem permissions don't?, i really don't know, and i don't have a windows machine to test :b

Hexarei ,
@Hexarei@programming.dev avatar

Group policy lets you basically configure anything on any machine in the active directory domain; Installed programs, installed updates, basically any settings, schedules, services, automatically adding (and limiting by users if you want) network devices like printers and storage... It's pretty powerful, and does way more than just filesystem permissions.

denshirenji ,
@denshirenji@lemmy.world avatar

I use FreeIPA and it works just fine for everything I would need AD for. Your point still stands. I just mean there are good enough alternatives for the Linux environment.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

There are definitely ways of configuring Linux systems. For many organizations Ansible or Puppet works completely fine. However, they require a significant amount of knowledge and aren't completely standardized. Group policy on Windows has been around for a long time and will be much easier to deploy, at least in the short term.

ChicoSuave ,

Tricks are something Microsoft does for money.

downhomechunk ,
@downhomechunk@midwest.social avatar

Coo-coo-ka-cha!

fulcrummed ,

Owning your computer is an ILLUSION

zero_spelled_with_an_ecks ,

Or candy.

Scotty_Trees ,
@Scotty_Trees@lemmy.world avatar

I guess Lemmy is mostly tech nerds like myself, but it's still cool as hell to see another Fedora user around :)

DAMunzy ,

Oh, let me tell you why your [sic] wrong for not using Arch and Ice Weasel! /s 😉

ultratiem ,
@ultratiem@lemmy.ca avatar

Just shuddered at a possible future where someone’s PC locked up with the following notice:

“We have locked your PC because you no longer have sufficient MS funds. One of our technicians will be by shortly to retrieve it. Sit tight, we are downloading its contents. Turning off the internet during this time will lead to strict legal action against you. Thank you for using Microsoft! Be sure to check out the new Surface Ultra and sign up to receive free rewards such a Panago and Ivey Cream!”

smokebuddy ,

your PC

are they going to backronym PC now that the P can't possibly stand for PERSONAL

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

Time to switch to Windows 11 as Microsoft is going to make your experience as bad as possible

If you need Windows I would create Samba AD DC and then join the machine to the domain. From there you can configure it with group policy

bc93 ,

[Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

    •
    possiblylinux127 ,
    @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

    True but the AD can be useful for other things and is separate from the install

    bc93 ,

    [Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

    •
    possiblylinux127 ,
    @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

    I like to split the roles into separate VMs. I have a few VMs joined to the domain and I can house all the configs and user profiles on the DC. If I need to blow away a machine for whatever reason I do not need to recreate work. I just create a new VM and then join the domain. All the group policy tweaks apply and I don't need to manually change settings.

    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

    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.

    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

    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

    shasta ,

    They're trying to tell you to go outside

    _sideffect ,

    OUR desktop wallpaper, comrade

    FuglyDuck ,
    @FuglyDuck@lemmy.world avatar

    They don’t do this shit in Linux.

    Come join us, Comrade.

    SpaceCadet ,
    @SpaceCadet@feddit.nl avatar

    Hmm, on one of the KDE plasma updates, my wallpaper did change to their infamous teletubby wallpaper. Mind you, I was still using the default wallpaper at that time, and this was their new default wallpaper, so that's probably why.

    BradleyUffner ,

    Tell that to Fedora that keeps resetting the Firefox homepage back to a Fedora news site.

    xantoxis ,

    When they tell you they're walking back Recall and it's "off by default", remember that they constantly do this shit.

    const_void ,

    I'd love to meet the engineers who work on these "features". How do they go along with this shit and sleep at night?

    skuzz ,

    Like the fruit and internet search giant, they forced RTO and all the smart talent left.

    So they have the B team, and likely a bunch of H1-B visa engineers that are basically indentured servants writing the code now. It's just a paycheck and survival at this point.

    njordomir ,

    "We've installed malicious spyware on your computer without you asking for it, but don't worry, it's off by default."

    "No." (Installs GNU/Linux)

    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.

    stalfoss ,

    Sweet wallpaper though

    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

    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.

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