[NMNeil]

This is a follow up to the postings about AI and my reluctance to have anything to do with it.
I'm an avid Linux user and have replaced all my Windows OS with Linux, but I recently had a problem with the software that came with my new 3D printer because it was Windows only. So I dug out an old (2011) desktop and loaded up a new copy of Windows 11.
Brand new blank SD drive and the first message was "Your hardware doesn't meet minimum requirements"
A bit of digging and this seems to be a ploy by Microsoft to get you to buy a new system. Anyway a quick search found a workaround and the install began; until I came to the first "Can't find an internet connection" message. Well you won't because I disabled the LAN on the desktop and it has no WiFi, so no surprise there was no internet. But all through the install it wanted to update, couldn't understand why I had no internet connection. It finally installed with the constant pop up warnings that I needed to make sure it was up to date as well as the anti virus, and I should fix my lack of internet connection before continuing.
Before embarking on this quest I got a copy of Winhance, which is software to debloat Windows 11. I ran this to completely delete all the unwanted programs which come pre-installed, including, Edge browser, OneDrive, CoPilot, recall and other unwanted c**p.
Not everything was removed and it still wanted to connect to the internet
I went into regedit to delete anything associated with any of those programs and every time I tried to delete a key it said "Access denied"
I gave up the fight, did a low level hardware format and loaded up a copy of Windows 95 I had lying around.
Loaded and runs perfectly and a lot faster. I'm now a 3D printing fool.
Just goes to show that new isn't always better and can in fact be worse. 😋

[Drivingforfun]

Totally agree with your conclusion

Insignificant but the one thing that jumps out is why did it want you to update your antivirus if it thought you had no internet connection? 🤔

[Rolebama]

When I ran Windows 2000, I installed Unix as well. The point was that I stumbled across a 4-line Unix code which allowed Windows 2000 to run 'inside' Unix. Virtually impossible to hack, so no need for cumbersome interfering anti-virus or firewall. I have since used XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and now 11, and I can't find a similar Unix code.

I have also tried to get rid of Edge, but as NMNeill says above, had the same Access Denied rubbish in regedit. Next boot tales a little longer than usual because Edge downloads and installs itself again. To paraphrase Shakespeare: Will nobody rid me of this pustulent programme?

[NMNeil]

Check out chntpw
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chntpw
Start your PC from a USB which had a minimalist portable version of Linux and chntpw, and from there you could edit and delete anything you wanted from the Windows registry without the 'Access denied'
But make a backup first of course 😎

[olduser]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

This is a follow up to the postings about AI and my reluctance to have anything to do with it.
I'm an avid Linux user and have replaced all my Windows OS with Linux, but I recently had a problem with the software that came with my new 3D printer because it was Windows only. So I dug out an old (2011) desktop and loaded up a new copy of Windows 11.
Brand new blank SD drive and the first message was "Your hardware doesn't meet minimum requirements"
A bit of digging and this seems to be a ploy by Microsoft to get you to buy a new system. Anyway a quick search found a workaround and the install began; until I came to the first "Can't find an internet connection" message. Well you won't because I disabled the LAN on the desktop and it has no WiFi, so no surprise there was no internet. But all through the install it wanted to update, couldn't understand why I had no internet connection. It finally installed with the constant pop up warnings that I needed to make sure it was up to date as well as the anti virus, and I should fix my lack of internet connection before continuing.
Before embarking on this quest I got a copy of Winhance, which is software to debloat Windows 11. I ran this to completely delete all the unwanted programs which come pre-installed, including, Edge browser, OneDrive, CoPilot, recall and other unwanted c**p.
Not everything was removed and it still wanted to connect to the internet
I went into regedit to delete anything associated with any of those programs and every time I tried to delete a key it said "Access denied"
I gave up the fight, did a low level hardware format and loaded up a copy of Windows 95 I had lying around.
Loaded and runs perfectly and a lot faster. I'm now a 3D printing fool.
Just goes to show that new isn't always better and can in fact be worse. 😋

I think I would have tried to run windows inside Linux by using VirtualBox QEMU/KVM, or VMware but it is a while since I played with Linux.

I stopped using Linux because it was difficult with the rest of the family using Windows, and them calling for help with Windows.

I am not sure that Linux is very much more secure than Windows, I think it is more a case of not being worth the effort of hacking because the user base is much less.
I feel, Windows weakness comes from their desire to do everything, resulting in complex software difficult to test, if they would stick to a basic operating system with a graphics interface and stop trying to run the user, they would have a much more difficult system to hack. Any bells and whistles should be offered as stand alone programs, and left to the user to decide if they want to use them.

Of course I may be biased, I can remember DOS!

[Rolebama]

@olduser I only used a 4-line startup command for Linux. The point is that yes, Linux is hackable, but as far as I am aware noone has, as yet, devised a programme that can hack through Linux into Windows.
If anyone knows of one, I would be very interested in a copy, to see how it works.

[olduser]

I have read (but cannot verify) of Linux being hacked but this was at a hacker convention in the USA but the general feeling is or was - Linux is not used much in big organizations (this is changing) so there isn't much to be gained by hacking, the world doesn't stop nor is anyone likely to pay lots of money to be unhacked.

The fact that Linux is opensource helps, in the sense everyone's input gets checked by many before it gets incorporated, bugs are quickly reported because they are quickly fixed, and it is not overly complex, making it easier to check for vulnerabilities.

As to cracking your setup, the 'novel' part would be getting into Linux after that it would be old hat stuff pressing on into Windows.

I think of it this way, your copy of Windows do's not know it is inside Linux, if Windows needs to talk to the outside world, the driver it uses translates Windows talk and hand shakes into Linux talk and handshakes, and I don't think either will be 'aware' of each other.
Once into Linux, the translation step looks like a vulnerable point to control Windows but it would be difficult and taking a lot of time.

[Darrell96]

That was a really interesting read, Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s impressive how resourceful you were in troubleshooting the Windows 11 installation and finding creative workarounds. It’s a great reminder that newer isn’t always better, especially when older systems still meet our needs perfectly well.
I also appreciate your perspective on Linux, It really shows the value of having control over your own system and avoiding unnecessary bloat. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve tailored your setup to work best for you, and I’m glad to hear your 3D printing is running smoothly now.
It’s stories like yours that highlight the importance of flexibility, choice, and understanding how our tools actually serve us. Well done on sticking with it and finding a solution that works!
Best regards,

[NMNeil]

@Darrell96 The issue with Microsoft is that they want to take away your ability to control something you own.
Windows 11 cannot now be installed without setting up a Microsoft account, which is a bit of a problem with no internet connection.
It didn't take long for someone to come up with a workaround so that no account is needed, but every time there's a workaround Microsoft blocks it.