Chrome and Firefox are also noticeably faster on Linux than on a fresh Windows install on the same machine. Don't know WTF is up with that, but this has been consistent for years.
Yup.
> Do they still randomly revert telemetry settings on updates?
Yup. I've heard that this is a bug? Who knows, I just know I still see it flipping.
> What was that thing I read last week about no more local user accounts?
It's hidden behind the "Join a Domain" option, or triggers when you're not online. Dark patterns!
> Yup.
No. Windows now remembers that you have uninstalled these apps.
If I specifically tell it not to install, yes.
If I want it to automatically install everything, then give me a notice it needs to reboot? Then I keep having windows shut down in the middle of the night, right after installing, no notice, no "forcing the hand eventually". Has this changed in the last couple months?
At least they seem to have finally figured out how to get virus definition updates automatically while reboot-needing updates are set to notify.
Theoretically, Microsoft could restructure their whole OS to support hot code reloading of system components, such that nothing ever needs rebooting. I mean, nobody else does it, either; but it'd be neat, wouldn't it?
* the previous monstrosity.
Windows will now let you carry on without updating until seriously important security updates are a month old. They really do have to force the hand of ignorant users eventually, else Microsoft gets blamed for an insecure OS.
I also don't understand where you get the idea that msft doesn't care about their desktop OS. They are basically overhauling it twice a year, for free. These larger updates do take 30 minutes, but, mind you, which is it: do they care too little or too much?