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Windows 11

diamond.g said:
Well that is clear as mud. Hit cancel should make the username and password prompt show back up.
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That's not a bad idea. My plan of attack was to try Linux and see how the thinkpad works using that. Fedora, is highly regarded within the thinkpad user community as being very capable, and I believe Ubuntu is certified. Since I left the recovery partition untouched, push comes to shove I can always reinstall windows.

I'll probably disabled bitlocker if/when I reinstall windows and being a recovery partition, I hopefully can use the older steps documented to bypass the online account enforcement.
 
Looks like PCWorld is jumping on the debloat band wagon
Strip out Windows 11’s bloatware, ads, and other nastiness—for free
  • PCWorld highlights Winhance, a free open-source tool that simplifies removing Windows 11 bloatware, ads, and unwanted pre-installed applications through an easy-to-use interface.
  • The application centralizes system optimization with tabs for managing updates, security settings, privacy controls, and customizing Windows appearance and taskbar configurations.
  • Winhance makes Windows PC setup significantly easier by consolidating multiple system settings into one tool, potentially matching Linux’s user-friendly configuration experience.
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winhance.net

Winhance - Windows Enhancement Utility

Enhance your Windows experience by effortlessly debloating, optimizing and customizing your system, giving you more control over how Windows performs.
winhance.net winhance.net

TBH, this looks a lot like Chris Titus' debloat script, which ironically has gotten quite bloated with more and more features being added.

Windows Utility in 2026 — Everything That's Changed

Having Fun with Technology
christitus.com christitus.com

Personally, I'd probably opt for Christ Titus, as his has been around longer, and has a track record
 
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Microsoft brings new "Xbox mode" to Windows 11 PCs next month — Prepares major gaming advancements that lay foundations for the next Xbox

Microsoft has announced that it's planning to make its new Xbox full-screen experience generally available to all Windows 11 devices in April, and is rebranding the feature as "Xbox mode" as it prepares the platform for the next-generation Xbox console project, codenamed Helix.
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Looks interesting, I wonder what services will be turned off
 
maflynn said:
Microsoft brings new "Xbox mode" to Windows 11 PCs next month — Prepares major gaming advancements that lay foundations for the next Xbox



Looks interesting, I wonder what services will be turned off
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It seems like this is just going to be their version of big picture mode? Basically stopping explorer from running? (along with some other stuff for sure). Annoyingly Xbox App still doesn't see games like Star Citizen or Eve Online (but then again neither do Steam).
 
Steve Adams said:
It will be a non starter if they don't give access to ALL xbox games. EA sports etc are a no go on PC anymore. I remember playing all of them way back when. I think ti's just going to open up like an app where you have a full xbox console on screen.
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They can only promise what they control. Other license holders would need to get on board.
 
It works both ways. They need to fight to get these games on PC to expand PC gaming again. They all used to be on PC, but it was taken away by MS and Sony to only have them on console to sell consoles. So it's not the Game makers. They want it on all platforms (more sales).
 
Steve Adams said:
It works both ways. They need to fight to get these games on PC to expand PC gaming again. They all used to be on PC, but it was taken away by MS and Sony to only have them on console to sell consoles. So it's not the Game makers. They want it on all platforms (more sales).
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Are you talking about play anywhere, or just the games existing on PC at all?

For the latter I think a lot of it is publishers not wanting to use Steam. It is a lot of the reason we have all these launchers on PC these days (much like how we have all these streaming services instead of everyone just using netflix).
 
maflynn said:
Tbh, I hate having so many launchers, and by and large, will do what I can to not have them installed on my machine
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Good luck? lol. Yeah it is irritating especially since they sap performance (even the steam client saps performance). At this point I know that games like Star Citizen will likely always have a launcher (that also saps performance).
 
diamond.g said:
Are you talking about play anywhere, or just the games existing on PC at all?

For the latter I think a lot of it is publishers not wanting to use Steam. It is a lot of the reason we have all these launchers on PC these days (much like how we have all these streaming services instead of everyone just using netflix).
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I am talking about game pass on windows. Can't get any of the EA sports games on there. That should not be the case. At this point if it's available on the Xbox system I should be able to play it on Game Pass. They are all on game pass on Xbox console.
 
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eltoslightfoot said:
There are some other positive signs that MS is finally listening to Windows complaints. I'll see if I can dig them up.
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They have made some comments and promises about listening to their users. But it's all vaporware and BS, until I see action. As mentioned before, Microsoft are pros at saying what people want to hear and see, then doing the exact opposite.
 
Steve Adams said:
But it's all vaporware and BS, until I see action. As mentioned before, Microsoft are pros at saying what people want to hear and see, then doing the exact opposite.
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Why would they promise one thing and not deliver as a business? The user folder change is already in testing.

I agree the proof will be in the pudding, but I think they are tracking more positively today then they have a while
 
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maflynn said:
Why would they promise one thing and not deliver as a business? The user folder change is already in testing.

I agree the proof will be in the pudding, but I think they are tracking more positively today then they have a while
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I really hope you are right. But I am reserving judgement until I feel better about MS's direction.
 
Google AI:
Microsoft is drastically reorganizing its AI division to unify consumer and commercial Copilot teams under
Jacob Andreou, while Mustafa Suleyman focuses on model development. This restructure aims to reduce user confusion by creating a single, integrated "Copilot experience" system. Key changes include pausing mandatory app installations, paywalling advanced Office features, and enhancing AI agent capabilities.

I'd be perfectly happy if they just got rid of CoPilot.

I don't find it of any use.
 
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maflynn said:
Why would they promise one thing and not deliver as a business? The user folder change is already in testing.

I agree the proof will be in the pudding, but I think they are tracking more positively today then they have a while
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That one you have to ask Satya. He's the one claiming we are not getting rid of RT, Windows Mobile, Zune, Music, etc. I was all in on microsoft and time and again, they cancel stuff before it gets a chance to gain tractiom.
 
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maflynn said:
Another month another failed patch Tuesday rollout
New Windows 11 bug breaks Samsung PCs, blocking access to C: drive

You can't make this stuff up. I guess replacing thousands of developers and using AI instead wasn't Microsoft's best idea.
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Confirmed by Microsoft as a known issue in Windows 11, the Samsung Galaxy Connect app is causing “loss of access to the C: drive and app failures” on Samsung PCs running Windows 11 25H2 or 24H2. Without access to the C: drive, PCs are effectively inoperable. Microsoft and Samsung have now published a workaround, however, that will take some time.

...

Microsoft has temporarily removed the affected Samsung Galaxy Connect app from the Microsoft Store to prevent further installations. Samsung has since re-released a previous stable version of the app, which should mean that no further problems should occur when installing the Samsung Galaxy Connect app (for first-time users).

It is the job of application software vendors to test their software on betas and report problems or fix their software. This is a problem on every operating system. I personally test my software on test systems or external SSD setups for new versions of operating systems before updating on my production systems. This is why I'm not running Tahoe right now.
 
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maflynn said:
Another month another failed patch Tuesday rollout
New Windows 11 bug breaks Samsung PCs, blocking access to C: drive

You can't make this stuff up. I guess replacing thousands of developers and using AI instead wasn't Microsoft's best idea.
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Nope. Hammer, Nail, Head.

Microsoft is in the beginning stages of "find out" of FAFO. Although i am stuck with them because I just cannot gel with other OS, I am critical of things.....LOTS OF THINGS, they have done and are continuing to do.

This one seems it's a SAMSUNG issue more than windows. It's not Microsoft's job to ensure third party apps work on their systems. That's 100 percent on the app creator.
 
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