Recently, the Secure Resilient Future Foundation released a newsletter calling for Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support past the October 14th deadline.
With the release of Windows 11, the threat to data privacy is the worst it’s ever been. You can read more about my perspective on this in my recent article, “Looking back at my transition from Windows to Linux in an anti-customer age”, I wrote about my switch to Linux and how it saved me from having to sacrifice my freedom in the name of convenience.
Microsoft’s design of Windows 11 is a concern because:
- Computer manufacturers, due to pressure from Microsoft, are designing new computers with artificial limitations like TPM and Secure Boot. These unnecessary add-ins push consumers to unnecessary hardware upgrades1.
- In the setup of newly purchased consumer-grade computers, there is obfuscation in the installation language. Many of the default choices are aimed at confusing customers into selecting options that share data with vendors:
- The AI tool Co-pilot is installed and enabled without consent. Removal is difficult or nonexistent. Security professionals are sounding the alarm with how dangerous these changes are. Microsoft plans to introduce AI Agents into Windows, and some are concerned that average users are going to be hacked with these tools, and data can be leaked to scammers.
- The history tracking tool “Recall” that is due to be released, sometime in the future, saves snapshots of your user experience into Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud. It looks great on paper, but in reality, this feature, along with others, will be used to move forward a surveillance state.
- Windows 11 prevents the complete uninstall of many of its built-in features. They can be removed from one user account, but they can be reinstalled during an update or if you upgrade your computer, without your consent.
- OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service, is in some cases enabled by default, or users are being tricked into installing it. Once installed, it moves all data to the cloud without consent. There have been reports of data loss and damage to windows. I have seen OneDrive reinstall itself under some unknown set of conditions. At this point, there is not much you can do about this. Watch for any pop-ups at the bottom right from Microsoft asking you if you want to back up your data, and it also might show up in the URL bar in File Explorer. If you enable OneDrive, your data may be moved to the cloud. Other technicians are seeing this behavior as well, so it’s not just me. If you want your data to live on your PC and not in the cloud, or if you don’t want this transition to cause data loss, I’d switch away from Windows ASAP.
- The pre-installed browser Microsoft Edge is forced on users by obfuscating alternative browser choice in various ways.
Due to these concerns, I will be recommending Linux as a replacement for new computers I build for my customers. You can still request Windows if Linux doesn’t work for you, but you are entirely responsible for any changes that Microsoft makes that may affect your data after your device leaves my office. Talk to me about 3rd-party backup solutions. You are solely responsible for what happens to your data.
Whether you’re a business or a home user, I’m here to tell you that in many cases, Linux is a real alternative to Windows. With so many anti-customer changes to Windows, i’m suggesting that we stop attempting to get Microsoft to roll back the clock on Windows 10, or attempt to make allowances/excuses for Microsoft’s bad behavior. As it stands today, the damage is already done, we are on brink of an Orwellian nightmare with software. I’m suggesting that all of us consider making the switch to Open Source software now.
Some points to bear in mind if you have never heard of Linux:
- Check out this article for an explanation of what Linux is.
- Linux is based on Open Source. If you have heard misconceptions about the security of Open Source, This article explains the security differences between open and closed source.
Linux Distribution Replacements for Windows:
- Zorin OS: A Windows-like Linux experience, requires modern hardware
- PopOS: Built for gamers out of the box
- Ubuntu: All-around desktop, requires modern hardware
- Elementary OS: For minimalist users
- MX Linux: For 10+ years, hardware
If you currently have a computer with Windows installed that you are unhappy with, contact me about migrating to Linux. It’s never been a better time for freedom in Linux.
Caveats
Most home users who do email and web can get along fine with Linux. But users who either game or do professional-level finances will need to plan carefully. Linux is a different desktop environment from Windows, which, in some cases, requires different programs to make use of your data. Please note that if you are a power user or a gamer, due to the way developers use vendor lock-in with their software products, certain software or games might not work, or will need to be replaced by alternatives. Below is an incomplete list of typical situations that will not work at this time. If you have any questions about these concerns, contact me to schedule a consultation to further talk about your specific use case and the costs involved:
- Adobe Cloud Products - See some alternatives
- Most anti-cheat specific games, but more and more games that have anti-cheat are getting Linux support by the day. Check AreWeAntiCheatYet to see if your game is compatible with Linux.
- Microsoft Office and Outlook
- QuickBooks - Requires an Online Hosted alternative
- Turbotax - Requires an Online Hosted alternative
- Microsoft uses its monopolistic position in the PC market to push hardware manufacturers to adopt changes that lock customers into anti-consumer software products via security hardware like TPM 2.0, which prevents freedom of choice. Based on my direct observations, I outline what these changes mean to the future of technology. Our current administration is not enforcing anti-trust regulations against Microsoft, it’s up to us to find ways to reduce this company’s influence over the market. ^