So many ways to start this thread, so I'll try to do it without making it too long, boring or messy. Just had a lot of hours wasted fighting with Windows 11 (which is not at all my primary OS... but I can get into that later). Just doing this to fill some folks in so they can make a decision on if they are concerned about this kind of thing.
Microsoft recently ended support for Windows 10 which has caused quite an uproar. Windows 11 has not at all been well-received for many reasons. System performance, major privacy concerns, messy interface, and just overall being a piece of crap that seems to be getting worse with each update. Not to mention how many people are on perfectly fine computers for simple everyday use that don't meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11. So they are stuck without the ability to do any updating.
Windows 11 AI "Recall" - A major concern with Windows 11 is that its built-in AI screenshots your activity. Regardless of how this is used, and it hasn't been fully cleared up what the answer is to that, it's a major issue that I don't understand how anyone is ok with. I don't even understand how it's legal... but that's another rabbit hole.
SOLUTIONS
I'm only evangelizing this route because I think it's now probably the best route to go for most. Obviously, using an Apple/Mac system is something many have done over the years, but that's only one (relatively expensive) solution that locks you into a whole other ecosystem that many like myself try to stay out of. I am not going to claim to know many details about Apple/Mac's current privacy or overall user experience situation. My only real use of a Mac in recent years is at the gym I coach at, and that's just to use a web browser to check clients in. The other solution is one that's gained a bit of a reputation over the years as being for tech nerds only or way too advanced for every day use, but those days are long past.
Linux is the OTHER OS solution, and the one that's been multiplying in user share the last couple years. Linux is an open source operating system that has many different "distros." Meaning, the core can be built upon by whoever wants to build on it, making many different decentralized versions of varying flavors, but all have the same core function. No one company owns Linux, so you don't end up with a Microsoft type situation where the company who owns your OS can do whatever they want with your data, force you into updates you don't want, etc etc.
Many, or I'd even say MOST distros are now to the point that they are easier to use and set up than Windows 11. I can say from my recent experiences trying to install Win11 to my second hard drive that it is absolutely the case. Most simply install and work perfectly right out of the gate with no long "opt-in" questionnaires trying to sell you things or trick you into giving up your privacy. I even find installing and using software to be infinitely easier.
If anyone ends up wanting to give up their Windows to try out a Linux distro, I'm happy to assist. It's much simpler than you might imagine. Just make sure you have a USB thumb drive ready to go if you decide you want to do it. My personal favorite for daily use I've stuck with after trying quite a few is: https://system76.com/pop/
So you can see on in action, here's my Linux desktop with Pop!_OS distro: (dual monitor, so you're seeing my side-by-side monitors in the screenshot). This is just one of many ways you can make it look as there are multiple "desktop environments" with varying degrees of customization, some even loading right into looking like a familiar Windows layout (which I find overly difficult to navigate, personally).
Microsoft recently ended support for Windows 10 which has caused quite an uproar. Windows 11 has not at all been well-received for many reasons. System performance, major privacy concerns, messy interface, and just overall being a piece of crap that seems to be getting worse with each update. Not to mention how many people are on perfectly fine computers for simple everyday use that don't meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11. So they are stuck without the ability to do any updating.
Windows 11 AI "Recall" - A major concern with Windows 11 is that its built-in AI screenshots your activity. Regardless of how this is used, and it hasn't been fully cleared up what the answer is to that, it's a major issue that I don't understand how anyone is ok with. I don't even understand how it's legal... but that's another rabbit hole.
SOLUTIONS
I'm only evangelizing this route because I think it's now probably the best route to go for most. Obviously, using an Apple/Mac system is something many have done over the years, but that's only one (relatively expensive) solution that locks you into a whole other ecosystem that many like myself try to stay out of. I am not going to claim to know many details about Apple/Mac's current privacy or overall user experience situation. My only real use of a Mac in recent years is at the gym I coach at, and that's just to use a web browser to check clients in. The other solution is one that's gained a bit of a reputation over the years as being for tech nerds only or way too advanced for every day use, but those days are long past.
Linux is the OTHER OS solution, and the one that's been multiplying in user share the last couple years. Linux is an open source operating system that has many different "distros." Meaning, the core can be built upon by whoever wants to build on it, making many different decentralized versions of varying flavors, but all have the same core function. No one company owns Linux, so you don't end up with a Microsoft type situation where the company who owns your OS can do whatever they want with your data, force you into updates you don't want, etc etc.
Many, or I'd even say MOST distros are now to the point that they are easier to use and set up than Windows 11. I can say from my recent experiences trying to install Win11 to my second hard drive that it is absolutely the case. Most simply install and work perfectly right out of the gate with no long "opt-in" questionnaires trying to sell you things or trick you into giving up your privacy. I even find installing and using software to be infinitely easier.
If anyone ends up wanting to give up their Windows to try out a Linux distro, I'm happy to assist. It's much simpler than you might imagine. Just make sure you have a USB thumb drive ready to go if you decide you want to do it. My personal favorite for daily use I've stuck with after trying quite a few is: https://system76.com/pop/
So you can see on in action, here's my Linux desktop with Pop!_OS distro: (dual monitor, so you're seeing my side-by-side monitors in the screenshot). This is just one of many ways you can make it look as there are multiple "desktop environments" with varying degrees of customization, some even loading right into looking like a familiar Windows layout (which I find overly difficult to navigate, personally).
