• JoBo@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    134
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Got this via Mastodon which will not let me search for the source.

    If you’re in the US, when you set up Windows for the first time, select English (Europe) or English (World), not English (US). That will stop it installing all the bloatware that USians are not protected from but everyone else is.

    • HidingCat@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      28
      ·
      1 year ago

      It’s definitely a US thing, I’m on English (Singapore) and have not seen an ad, ever. I was perplexed by all the complaints of ads in the start menu and wherever, until someone pointed to me that it was a US thing.

    • provomeister@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      26
      arrow-down
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      You must switch back to English (US) after installation if you want access to Microsoft Store (and even if you don’t, you probably should because most apps are now there).

      I’ve seen a few tools to suppress most telemetry such as ChrisTitusTech’s winutil or O&O ShutUp, maybe you could give that a try. Microsoft is really pushing hard Bing & Edge…

      Also, as a Linux user, I must obliged to the rules and say there’s alternatives out there if you want to try something new. :-) !linux@lemmy.ml

      • Cjwii@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        12
        ·
        1 year ago

        What exactly are you getting from the Microsoft app store out of curiosity?

        • provomeister@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          11
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          Windows Terminal + WSL, everything related to Xbox if you’re using Gamepass or “Play anywhere” titles (Xbox/PC cross-buy).

          Most basics apps are from the Microsoft app store too; calculator, calendar, paint, etc.

          It’s been a hot minute since I’ve used Windows, but you’d be surprise how much apps are now updated through that app store.

          If your device use Windows in S mode, all your apps must come from the store & you must use Edge.

          • Cjwii@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            Ah okay, I didn’t know people used it that way and I don’t do XBox game pass or anything like that. It makes sense. My only real experience with windows store apps has been my work computer trying to install a “personal use” version of Microsoft teams from there and apparently I had to get the professional version through M365 downloads.

    • simonced@lemmy.one
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      1 year ago

      We leave in Japan, and my wife had that popup once already (using Brave on Win10 - surface laptop)

      • provomeister@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        1 year ago

        From what I’ve seen online, it must be done during installation. So short answer, no.

        As others have said, you could also backup your data and do a fresh installation (from a boot media, not from Windows itself just to be extra safe).

        ThioJoe also has a video talking about this English (Europe/World) thing and also provide a Powershell script to delete Windows bloatware. This option could be interesting if you don’t want to reset your whole installation.

      • JoBo@feddit.uk
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        I doubt it. Don’t know if a fresh install would, or if you can get it fresh enough to work.

      • Sanctus@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Throw all your important stuff onto a drive thay doesn’t contain the OS. Then remove the drive and wipe the computer. You can set it up again and choose the non-bloatware options.