Microsoft account log in required.
Option 4, just install another OS that doesn’t pull this BS.
Nobody has worked harder in the push for Linux than Microsoft.
When windows XP went away I got 12 more years of updates on my old dell laptop - with Linux of course. The laptop died before 32 bit support did.
Nah. Switching to CachyOS instead.
Linux or pirate it.
Here’s is how to get 3 extra years for free: https://massgrave.dev/ without Microsoft account login
Wouldn’t this get patched with one of their “security updates”.
They seem to not care, some methods are even server side, they could have patched hwidgen a decade ago
Potentially 6
Windows is never free.
It’s not free.
How do you figure?
You are buying it with your personal data and granting them access to your computer. Even if you don’t think that’s not worth much, it is still not free. You’re just paying with something other than money.
The vast majority of people have already activated Windows with an email address. I have several friends who have done so and for them this cost nothing.
Nothing more.
They may accept the ongoing cost, but that doesn’t make it free. There may be no cash payment, but that doesn’t make it free. Cost comes in many forms. The glib misrepresentation of the transaction is disappointing.
How about seven instead, and for free?
And without login
Yes. And using Rufus to create your install media, you can even configure it to create a local account for you so you don’t have to go through the rigmarole yourself.
Actually, I wonder if that still works with an image of the new current Win11 releases where the local account functionality has been “removed.” I haven’t tried it. Someone will probably chime in.
The fact that in lieu of paying them they simply want you to log in with an account they control should speak volumes to the privacy implications.
Not something I’m willing to do, but it’s not a problem for most users who entered their email address long ago.
I bet if you do end up paying, you can only claim it if you make an account too…
The article olympically ignores the option to install linux.
They knew Lemmy would have that covered.
Everyone is making a big deal about support ending but it doesn’t fucking matter anyway. You PC is not going to suddenly stop working you just wont get updates. Considering the updates microsoft pushes now days are loaded with malware and spyware anyway it’s all a wash if you keep using 10.
With the rate of CVEs scored at 9+ that come across all the stuff I manage at work I would not agree.
It would be foolish to simply stop patching this giant pile of obsolete insecure dependencies they are calling windows.
A lot of CVEs are overrated, but yeah I still wouldn’t do it. It only takes one.
I remember you were able to crash someone’s PC by sending them a link to a webpage. This is what security updates prevent and there were even worse ones
The issue isn’t it not working, the issue is security updates no longer being made. Feel free to keep using 10, just don’t put it on the network.
K but can we just keep using windows 10 anyways?
If you want to delay your switch to Linux, there are scripts to enroll in the ESU, but unfortunately the local account script stopped working a week ago. Or get Win 10 LTSC, or keep your system disconnected from the Internet.
get the last piece of my hardware dependence off…my 20 year old DAC
The $9 Apple DAC is unironically good. I can confirm it is plug-and-play with Mint.
Edit: To be clear, it is good if you just need an audio output (the core feature of a DAC). If you want crazy DAC features, it clearly isn’t it.
My dude just get a compatible dac (I use focusrite scarlet) and play rocksmith with Proton flawlessly
Maybe as a Christmas gift to myself. My current one is an EIE pro that came with my guitar second hand. The linux “driver” only sort of works.
You can, but you won’t be getting security updates. Best to not put an OS without security updates on the network.
You can, and without microsoft pushing malware onto your system with out your consent your chances of getting hacked are probably lessened.
Yeah, but what if we all just install Linux?
That’s a great idea! Which distro are we all installing?
For a desktop OS, I have been recommending Linux Mint to new Linux users. The UI feels familiar to a Windows veteran, and the initial setup is designed to be user friendly.
However, don’t fret too much over it. Distros are mostly just a pre-configuration of the OS, all of them can do everything.
I’ve distro hopped back to Mint and stayed on Mint over a year now. I think Mint being beginner-friendly kind of makes it a victim of its own success, because as someone who has been using Linux several years, Ubuntu without Snaps and a highly polished UX is pretty ideal. PopOS has the same value proposition, but I like Cinnamon way better than Cosmic, or even KDE.
If serious, whichever one works best for you. Lots of info out there to help steer you to a good match. There are some that will have a harder time than others thanks to Microsoft domination all these years.
If not serious. Arch, of course.
