With all the articles about Microsoft/Windows integrating AI into "x" software and "y" software, do I need to do more to disable all AI existence off my PC?
I'm on 24H2 Windows 11 with a local account set up, ran windows debloat tool and have CoPilot/onedrive/other data mining features un-installed.
Edit: I have a plan to make the switch to Linux. For now I was just looking for any feedback on how to handle current Windows OS. I whole heartedly hate Microsoft as much as the next, I promise lol.
??? Took the same amount of time as any windows set up. Why would this even come close to the amount of times it would take for me to learn an entirely new operating system?
I plan to make a Linux drive to learn and test different software in but I'm not about to make that kind of blind leap without trying it out first.
I appreciate all the encouragement to make the switch but until I pull the trigger I'd like my current Windows OS to run as unmolested as possible.🍻
Linux never asked my mother's maiden name nor insisted on creating a cloud account just to log into my computer.
Also, many distros of Linux come with all the main baseline productive software one should need on a live boot media, ain't even gotta install it to try it out.
It's not very different if you don't dig into the guts of the thing. I think the people most afraid of making the switch are actually the ones it is easiest for. If you're not used to digging into the windows registry and haven't upgraded to powershell 7, then you probably won't touch much of what's different in Linux.
The hardest part is picking a distribution -- I usually recommend either Fedora or Ubuntu. -- and an xwindows system -- and coming from Windows I usually recommend KDE Plasma or from MAC I'd recommended GNOME. So either:
The only reason I stuck with Windows for so long was PC gaming. But I don't do much of that anymore and what I do actually do runs fine on Linux these days. So I haven't looked back. But you can always install Linux after Windows is already present if you have a spare hard drive and boot into either at will. Just don't try to do the opposite since Windows installer will corrupt your Linux boot setup.
But to each his own. Windows is now a platform like many others where you trade your personal information for services instead of or in addition to your money. Some people are OK with that and that's totally fair.
I've never had significant problems with that. I mean sure, there can be minor hiccups and inconveniences when finding and installing proprietary drivers, but aside from that, I don't have any issues after that.
I have no idea why Microsoft always attempts to implement the next "big new tech thing" in Windows for every version, just for them to always inevitably reverse course after it flops as they repeat it again
"Next big thing" may actually work, nobody knows for sure. One thing MS actually has is a big userbase, and it would be unwise to ignore possibility of testing few hypothesises on them.
I used to work in startup during "big data" hype and some things we developed was truly outside of users imagination. Users knew their problems, "pains" as we called them, but they lacked tech skills to even imagine ways of solving them. Picture this: you are showing spreadsheet editor to people who are used to keep all ther records on paper. You are
Forcing them to spend money on software
Making them learn new stuff they didn't need in their work before
Exposing their data to the government
Are being an elitist asshole in general, assuming they need your help
AI may work for some people. Paint can get you pictures based on scribbles, notepad can turn your drafts into proper notes. You wouldn't know until you try it yourself, and most non tech savvy people won't even search for a ways to try. But if it's already installed - why not? Click on that fancy ✨AI✨ button and enjoy wonders of technology.
For some context - i'm not an MS shill, not even using Windows since Vista (used my literal lunch money to buy it). But i can't be mad at them for trying, especially when they don't charge extra for it.
I heard a report recently that suggested that Microsoft Recall (the program to take a screenshot of your PC every few seconds to process in AI at huge ecological damage for dubious benefit to the user) is an unlisted dependency for the file explorer.
What that means is if you somehow manage to remove Recall entirely, then you won't be able to view your files.
And sure, they'll probably fix that. And they'll probably also include a "disable AI" checkbox hidden eight levels deep in the control panel to give the user a small sense of control over their own machine - which will turn itself back on with each update because Windows
I don't think you'll be able to actually remove AI from Windows. At least, not easily, and not permanently. Your plan to switch to Linux seems like it'll be less headache in the long run
OO ShutUp+ has no problem disabling Recall and I've had no file explorer issue from it. I also had to rerun OSU+ after each update as its a setting Microsoft resets.