Microsoft Windows: Difference between revisions

'''Windows''' is a product line of proprietary graphical operating systems developed and marketed by [[Microsoft]]. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sectors of the computing industry – Windows (unqualified) for a consumer or corporate workstation, Windows Server for a server and Windows [[Internet of things|IoT]] for an embedded system. Windows is sold as either a consumer retail product or licensed to third-party hardware manufacturers who sell products bundled with Windows.

[[OneDrive]] does forced file sinchronization without user's consent and redirects basic personal file addresses to OneDrive's addresses.

Windows 10 and 11 are configured to send telemetry by default{{Citation needed}}. Users can only switch it to a reduced mode, but there is no way to disable it completely without resorting to tools and techniques beyond what most normal users have the technical knowledge to implement (disabling services, setting registry keys and group policies, blocking communication using firewalls etc.){{Citation needed}}. Automatic system updates are know to re-enable some of the corresponding components without warning{{Citation needed}}.

==Windows 10<!-- Reluctant to add this one unless we have more reports of this online, but I did find some microsoft support articles that mention Factory Resets happening with windows updates:  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/216587/why-a-factory-reset-without-my-permission-during-a -->==

In response to the criticisms aimed at the hardware requirements associated with Windows 11, Microsoft has opted to provide consumers with the option to take advantage of their Windows 10 ESU program. The Windows 10 ESU program will allow users to continue receiving security updates for 1 year, but not without a cost (unless you live in the EU <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=2025-09-25 |title=Microsoft outlines requirements for its free Windows 10 EOL extended support program in Europe — Microsoft account check-in every 60 days, or have access revoked |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929125619/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |archive-date=2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>).

For those outside of the EU, the cost associated with entering the Windows 10 ESU is one of the following:

 

*Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

 

Source for Windows 10 ESU cost options: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/extended-security-updates

====Forced software installation====

{{see also|Forced app download}}

In addition to updates, Microsoft installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for.  This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.

==Windows 11==

Numerous [[dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface, which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. This implementation, first launched under Windows 10 in 2015, continues into the [[Windows 11]] installation process. In March 2025, Microsoft announced that the creation of a Microsoft account would be mandatory when downloading Windows 11, claiming that the decision would tighten security and streamline the user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Windows 11 Enforces Mandatory Microsoft Account for Setup: What You Need to Know |url=https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Windows Forum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222014631/https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>  On occasion, Microsoft accounts have been unilaterally disabled by Microsoft.  The default experience with a Microsoft account and trusted computing is that if something goes wrong with the computer, you are likely to lose all your data.  Experienced users know to backup credentials to minimize this risk, however Microsoft sets most users up for failure.

Beginning with [[Windows 11]] version ''24H2'', Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mixed Reality, and all support for the platform will end November 1, 2027. This affects device models from manufacturers including ''[[Samsung]]'', ''[[HP Inc.|HP]]'', ''[[Lenovo]]'', ''[[Acer]]'', ''Dell'', and Microsoft - including their own flagship device, Microsoft ''HoloLens''. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the ''24H2'' update from being installed.<ref>https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171951/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 Archived])</ref>