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A comment on Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users into Edge. Parent comment

Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by formerly_proven on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @06:47AM (#29251775)
Microsoft is very consistent in aggressively promoting their own stuff at every turn. Ever noticed how the "what application you wanna use for this file type?" dialog pop ups every time any application is installed that can handle that type? Ever noticed how this dialog always has Microsoft's option at the top of the list? Ever noticed this dialog pops up after some updates because the Microsoft option has been updated so it's a Totally New Experience that You Really Ought To Try Now? Ever noticed how every few months you'll get a giant screen filling modal pop-up on login telling you to create a Microsoft account Right Now or Else? Ever noticed how Windows 10 shows a full-screen "Leave everything to us" banner during installation? Ever noticed the FOMO ads on the lock screen ("Windows brings you closer to what you love in life", "Don't miss any European soccer!")? Ever noticed the cringy "Just one more thing" and "Let's get you set up" system modals? Ever noticed how you have to lie to the setup wizard in order to not have a Microsoft account ("I don't have internet")?

The entire messaging of this OS is dystopian corpo garbage and then people are shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that it's a monopolistic shitpile kicking your civil rights in the nuts at every turn.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by marricks on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @12:21PM (#29255882)
This is what drove me over the edge to another operating system, I gotta imagine others as well.

Having ads at the OS level is just mind boggling, I get people can get used to anything but I really hoped there'd be a line where people just left in swarms.

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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by GreenWatermelon on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @03:06PM (#29258207)
This goes for me. When I graduate, my next machine is definitely going to be a linux machine. I will keep an unlicensed windows version on the side just for gaming.

I'm sick of having my attention preyed upon everywhere I look in that OS. It makes me feel insulted.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by FreeFull on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @03:52PM (#29258670)
You might not even need the Windows install at all for gaming. With all the work Valve has been putting into Proton, even games with funky anti-cheat should work on any Linux distro by the time the Steam Deck comes out.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by fartcannon on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @07:48PM (#29260844)
I haven't kept a Windows machine for gaming since 2015. It was hard then, but now it's a breeze if the game is on Steam. If it's not, Lutris will probably handle it for you. Most single player and a lot of multiplayer games work without a hitch. I am, for instance, playing Tetris Effect connected and Dark Souls 3 online right now.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by make3 on Thursday November 18, 2021 @02:31PM (#29269393)
While there definitely are a lot of games available, a large fraction still are not. Having a Windows install is not a huge deal.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by aspaceman on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @10:58AM (#29254719)
But but, "Microsoft isn't the same anymore!" VSCode is open! And good!

The narrative has really pulled in Microsoft's favor and I think that's not too our advantage. Every conversation I have with them is about how they "used to be bad but are great for open source now".

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by Bobylonian on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @11:10AM (#29254893)
Visual Studio has been top product from the beginning of M$. If it was not open, then it was heavily pirated for personal use.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by soco on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @06:52AM (#29251827)
The file type dialog has the most recent fitting options. I get asked for NotepadPlusPlus most of the time, which is not a Microsoft application.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by rocqua on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @07:37AM (#29252245)
I opened a PDF yesterday and it showed me the prompt, even though my default had been set. In the prompt Edge was in its own special top element (below the current default but above the alternatives) with a name like "microsoft's recommendation".

This occured just after a system update. It might even have said that edge was new and improved, but I am not sure on that.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by bayindirh on Thursday November 18, 2021 @01:44AM (#29262691)
> The entire messaging of this OS is dystopian corpo garbage and then people are shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that it's a monopolistic shitpile kicking your civil rights in the nuts at every turn.

The funny thing is, they're doing it for more than decade, and people believe that one day they won't do it. On the contrary, it'll get more and more aggressive.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @01:00PM (#29256472)
I lied the wrong way. I gave them a totally bogus email address instead of saying that I don't have internet. Now they keep telling me that "there's a problem with your Microsoft account" that I need to fix...
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by Cosmin_C on Thursday November 18, 2021 @01:18AM (#29262503)
Luckily with the advent of Proton and actual anti-cheats being supported by Linux, the last thing keeping me on this utterly disgusting platform will be gone.

I won't miss Windows one second. Now just to find the right distribution environment...

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by Bobylonian on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @11:06AM (#29254843)
No. I must be doing something differently. To be fair, Edge is not forced upon me, as I am using Firefox, but the only thing I do not like is that Windows 10 is updating itself whenever it wants.

Ah, and I installed Windows 10, that does not use Microsoft account(you might had to disconnect internet cable for that), so it might be the main problem.

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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by thow-58d4e8b on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @11:30AM (#29255179)
Some Windows 10 updates add Edge into the taskbar if you move it out of it. Hilariously, if you install multiple Windows updates in a batch, you might end up with multiple Edge launchers in the taskbar. I think at least once, it changed the default browser back to Edge, too
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by a5aAqU on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @04:46PM (#29259265)
Windows 8 automatically installs Edge even if you have non-essential updates turned off. I'm pretty sure I noticed it because it appeared in the taskbar.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by blindmute on Wednesday November 17, 2021 @12:21PM (#29255878)
That sounds horrid but I haven't experienced any of that on W10 LTSC. Would recommend that if you have to use Windows for some reason.
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Re:Microsoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users ... by kazinator on Friday November 19, 2021 @01:27PM (#29280541)
I've noticed that a recent Windows 10 update replaced Google Japanese Input with the Microsoft one.
[ Parent | on HN ]