- Go to linuxmint.com
- Download
- Write to usb with rufus
- Reboot using the usb
- Install
- Done
this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2025
6 points (55.2% liked)
Privacy
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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
Some Rules
- Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn't great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
- Don't promote proprietary software
- Try to keep things on topic
- If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
- Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
- Be nice :)
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Wow windows never looked so good!
🚀 😄
True. Windows 10 is atrocious. I have to say, a debloated Win11 feels almost too good.
So, lets focus on making Linux distros shiny and easy to use!
If you don't think the modern Linux distro are shiny and easy to use, how long has it been since you tried? There are plenty of feature complete distros that are shiny and modern and comfortable to start using as a lifelong windows user
I tried switching to linux permanently three times. Each time it got easier and more polished until eventually I didn't go back.
I use PC before MS DOS times and I also used several Linux distros in the past, last Kubuntu and Mint, always in dual boot. But I never saw big advantages above a gutted Windows, but problems with a lot of apps which I needed. Currently I'm on a heavy cleaned W11 which works fast, stable and exactly how I want 100%, why because of this I have to change it, installing another OS? There are no practical reasons for it.
I am daily driving Linux...
Mainstream distros are not great products. Downstreams like uBlue do a good job, but have their own issues.
That is the point, but Linux, as said above isn't for everyone an option.
Comments in the web:
**Linux faces several key challenges that limit its broader adoption and effectiveness: **
-
Software Compatibility Major commercial applications like Adobe Creative Suite and industry-standard business software often don't run natively on Linux[^1]. While alternatives exist, they frequently lack feature parity or full compatibility with industry file formats.
-
Hardware Support Complexity Device drivers and hardware compatibility remain inconsistent. According to ZDNET, even basic tasks like printer setup can require manual configuration[^3]. Multiple competing package formats (deb, rpm, flatpak, snap) create confusion for software installation[^13].
-
Fragmented Development Focus The Linux ecosystem suffers from too many competing distributions and desktop environments. As MIT researcher Jonathan Birge notes, "It's downright laughable that an OS with single digit market share would further dilute its market share by having two competing desktops"[^21].
-
Learning Curve Despite improvements in user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu, Linux still requires more technical knowledge than Windows or macOS for many tasks[^1]. The command line remains necessary for certain operations, intimidating new users.
*(With this point I am not in total agreement, Windows with its plug & play and intuitive UI only SEEMS more simple, but to remove the bad habits, bloatware, telemetrias and other crap, are required a more advanced user to get it, entering quickly into Comanche territory. I think that Windows need a more advanced user as modern Linux distros) * 5. Support Structure Unlike commercial operating systems, Linux lacks centralized support. Users must rely on community forums and documentation that can be overwhelming for beginners[^13]. Enterprise-level support often requires expensive consulting contracts.
- Market Share Impact With desktop market share around 3%, many software vendors can't justify developing and maintaining Linux versions of their applications[^21]. This creates a negative feedback loop - fewer applications lead to fewer users, which leads to less software development.
[^1]: 7 Reasons Why Linux Isn't Dominating the Desktop OS Market - MUO
[^3]: Why don't more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like - ZDNET
[^13]: What Are the Disadvantages of the Linux OS (Operating System)?
[^21]: Why Linux is failing on the desktop | Jonathan Birge
Summary: the best OS is allways the one which best fits the individual needs, a perfect OS for everyone don't exist. Every OS has its drawbacks, certainly Windows the most, but at least it's possible to fix.
I'd just replace Rufus with Ventoy. 😉
Best concept for a piece of software I've discovered after being a happy Rufus user for years. 🙂
Ventoy is so goated, I used Rufus then Balena for ages, then YUMI, and finally Ventoy. I've got a 128gb tiny USB attached to my phone case with every OS and utility I could need with over 80gb still free for file storage. Being able to download an iso and copy it with no software is huge, like in an emergency I could download an ISO on my phone if needed
Guys can you please read the post before writing random nonsense.
- This is for people NEEDING windows only software
- Ventoy is useless for the things I want to achieve. Rufus allows to change a bunch of things with a single click, like offline account, cloud, telemitry, bitlocker
I know you think you’re being clever. But what you really are is arrogant. Telling someone the answer to their problem is to do as you do, instead of helping them with their issue.
I refuse to help people with installing any versions of windows out of ethical reasons, just like some tattooist refuse to tattoo people in the face or give them similarly stupid tattoos.
Yes, I'm arrogant enough to think I know better than those who haven't considered the issue at all.
It’s fine to refuse to help, but offering your unsolicited opinion on windows instead of helping is just rude.
I think it's a rather human thing to do, explaining oneself when refusing to lend a hand. I also think warning friends, family and those I care for about what I consider dangerous to be quite nice.
I suppose we just have to agree to disagree about how we interact and care for our fellow humans.
I'm one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff's kiss
Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.
Yeah, its damn solid. In the same vein I am testing the atomic release of fedora, really hard to break that thing, same goes for bazzite.
Now i'm thinking ... an atomic release of mint would be ... wow
I don't know much about atomic releases. Is that in any way similar to immutable distros such as NixOS? If so, and you ran mid in that way, it ought to be damn near impossible to break.
This. Is. About. People. Needing. Windows. Only. Software.
I'd ask them to consider their dependence on windows only apps. If they want help with installing linux I'm happy to help, but I'm not an enabler there to help perpetuate their negative dependence.
You can't do this if your job depends on using such software. And there is a ton
Sure, many jobs require people to use unethical, but legal tools and methods. I used to work somewhere like that - and what ever OS they had installed was irrelevant because it was their equipment, their systems and I didn't use work stuff for personal things.
But really, are you describing someone dependent on a job or someone dependent on certain windows-exclusive applications? Are they forced to use their personal equipment for work stuff?
Hardened Gentoo?
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Er, your instructions don’t kill all the telemetry that makes Win11 so privacy invasive.
Unfortunately, your comments about security are spot-on — there have been a number of improvements in the latest Win11 releases that were never added to Win10.
So while Win10 can be tweaked to be a relatively private OS, you need to update to the latest Win11 for security, or switch to a non-Microsoft OS.
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you misspelled /c/funny
The best solution for privacy is to not use windows, seems like a good guide but even with all these modifications I would throw the computer in the dumpster and set it on fire before using it in any privacy sensitive or mission critical applications.
Linux runs fine these days, and with NTSync in the kernel and the work done on WINE and proton there really isn't a need to use an operating system that abuses you and sells your data for profit.
This is for people needing MSOffice, Adobe, AutoCAD and whatelse. This does not run in WINE, on purpose.
Just stop. Your comment does not help anyone.
Oh, works on my machine. Oh well.
How do you want to read this Brick above without bleeding eyes?
Andi Summary:
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 While Maintaining Privacy and Control
Before You Start
- Back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage
- Verify system compatibility using Microsoft's PC Health Check app
- Disable third-party antivirus software temporarily to prevent installation conflicts
Most Efficient Method
- Download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft's website
- Mount the ISO by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"
- Run setup.exe as administrator from the mounted drive
- During installation, select "Keep personal files and apps" for fastest transition
Privacy-Focused Settings
- During initial setup, decline optional data collection and analytics
- Skip the "complete installation" prompts for Edge browser and OneDrive backup
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security after installation to disable unwanted tracking features
Maintain Control
- Move the Start menu back to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
- Restore classic context menus and file explorer views for better efficiency
- Set up default apps through Settings > Apps > Default apps to avoid Microsoft's preferred applications
Recovery Options
- Within 10 days of upgrading, you can roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery
- Keep your Windows 10 backup for 30 days until you're comfortable with Windows 11
Sources:
- PCWorld - How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
- Prajwal Desai - Best Guide to Upgrade to Windows 11
- PCWorld - How to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11
_________________________________________________________________________________________________--
I'll add also WindHawk, which is imperative in W11
Meh. Pretty useless IMHO. There are plenty of tricks to apply after this basic stuff and even then, they will try to insert new telemetry on every small update. It's now worth the fight. Try to switch to Linux mint and have a dual boot for relevant software like Adobe.
Yes, dual boot is an option, but for certain things user need to use Windows. But you can make Windows a valid, fast and private OS, not so easy but possible. Telemetries re a minor problem and easy to avoid not needed. My W11 instalation has less than 1 GB and there is nothing working in the background which I don't want. Certainly I don't use any of the default Windows apps, nor the infame powersHell. Only the Defender and security updates.
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Hahaha! Please someone. Help the poor darling.
He's exactly a week early.
To be fair, a bunch of old scientific closed sourced applications run only on WinXP or 7. Maybe it's aimed at those people. But I don't know any that require 10 or 11 that don't have alternatives...
Then they need a VM with Win7, not to install that piece of parasitic garbage as a host OS.
Remind me of the community name/métier again, please?
I don't disagree lol
Phew. You got me! Really had me going!
Lemmy users try not to be insufferable when Windows is mentioned (Challenge) (Impossible)
The currently largest single source of ewaste in the world should be criticized at every turn.
To be fair, while Microsoft is absolutely vile for such restrictions, I think people overestimate how many people would switch computers just to get Windows 11. It's probably a concern for big corporations indeed, but regular users? I don't think so. Most people don't see anything wrong with staying on an OS that doesn't receive updates. A lot of them already do so - on their phones, because the support is so short! I am now in the process of switching my father to Linux, and it's genuinely hard to explain him why he has to get used to a different OS: his reaction to "But Windows 10 would no longer receive security updates!" is "So what?". Windows 7 probably would've still had a high market share if 10 had a similar system requirements change.
Every work from home person and every corporate end point will be upgrading; simply due to legal liability for the corporations. That alone is hundreds of millions of pcs and laptops getting thrown out (because anyone in IT knows no corpo is going to pay the extra hours to recycle properly).
Average users with no liability? Plenty will stay on win 10 until their use case no longer works, i.e. when steam dropped win vista compatibility, but plenty will be scared enough to upgrade.
The weird part will be seeing who sidegrades to a tablet in the corporate environment. Many android tablets can do everything needed for office work, and don't have the same security cross section. Most app front ends are electron anyway these days so its not like x86 is needed.
I mean, this is about privacy, is it not? It's pretty well-known by now that Windows mines your data.
It is clearly mentioned that
- A huge amount of people use Windows 10 or older. Being a privacy elietist does not change that
- This is for people needing windows software
- The result is fine but still not private, simply a more reasonable OS
It's either private or it's Windows.
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