Computer Club Wiki

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====== Windows Alternatives ======

Why this page…

1) Microsoft is going to suspend/stop supporting Windows 10 October 14, 2025.

2) Many computers in Sun City contain hardware that will not "officially" upgrade to Windows 11.  See [[:windows_11_unsupported|]]

3) There are alternatives to Windows that can satisfy the needs of many Sun City residents.

What do I see that enforces my opinion? [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bloat#Bloatware|Bloatware]] as defined by Wikipedia is a starting point. Windows features that tell Microsoft what you are doing with and/or on your computer is another form of Microsoft getting you to pay (with your time and money) for the privilege of using their tools. With Microsoft planning to discontinue support for Windows 10 using processors that preceed generation 8 Intel processors, there is a need for "sensible" alternatives to the Microsoft ecosystem.

Why? Windows 11 is yet another step in the evolution of Microsoft learning how to abuse their customers. Is there evidence for the previous statement. My experience leads me to believe the answer is yes. Here are some links to things that can show how Windows can be "lighter" and/or less intrusive if you discover you can not live without the Windows food chain.

May, 2023… The next two items/paragraphs are not for the casual computer user.

…… DRAMATIC WARNING BE CAREFUL …..

Ntlite [[https://www.ntlite.com/|Ntlite, a tool for customizing Windows.]] This is not a trivial tool. Be prepared for a learning experience.

Ghost Spectre, really slim-downed instances of Windows [[http://ghostspectre.the-ninja.jp/20H2.X64.html|Ghost Spectre]]. These instances of Windows should probably be "tried" in a virtural machine and/or checked for "infection", before deciding they are what you need.

…. END OF DRAMATIC WARNING ….

Chris Titus tool for Windows. [[https://christitus.com/one-tool-for-everything/|Not Quite Everything, but LOTS of features]]. You can end up with a lighter weight version of Windows without as much effort as the two previous tools.


===== Applications without Windows =====

If your primary use of a computer includes Internet surfing, email, document processing/editing, spread sheets, printing and banking, one of the many FREE flavors of Linux can provide a non-intrusive and low cost solution that will work on computers that Windows 11 refuses to support. Linux still supports older hardware designs and is relatively easy to embellish with "additional" "Windows like", features. Versions of Linux are often the "right" solution for hardware configurations that Microsoft would prefer you replace with some more of your dollars and time.

The [[https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-400/|Raspberry Pi]] with it's HDMI feature can use a TV as a monitor. It might be characterized as the "Volkswagen" of current computer technology, but it is "more than enough" computer to satisfy the needs of many Sun City residents.

ChromeOS.. ChromeOS devices are easily found. Is ChromeOS as intrusive as Windows when it comes to privacy concerns? ChromeOS may use Linux underneath the covers, but is the full power of Linux exposed to the ChromeOS user? Can you use Linux applications from the ChromeOS interface?

Uh-oh… Why not Apple. Based on my Help Center experience, I suspect Apple products are just as intrusive as Windows. The advantage with Apple is you probably pay more for the intrusive features.