this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2024
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[–] [email protected] 100 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Wow, Microsoft are always so innovative! I never thought that the Win11 taskbar could get any shittier, but somehow they managed it. It's great to see those thousands of engineers being put to good use.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (7 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I did one better. I installed Linux

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Not open source. Use:

  • Open Shell
    • brings a normal Start Menu back as well as an optional taskbar in Explorer
  • Explorer Patcher
    • revives Explorer's "commented-out code", bringing back functionality from previous Windows versions: optionally translucent taskbar without blur, seconds display in calendar popup, optionally the weather widget and many many more
  • CTT winutil
    • installs/updates various free programs for you with one click, one-stop-shop for all kinds of recommended debloat/freedom settings
  • MSEdge Redirect
    • self-explanatory: all Bing queries from within the OS apps go to your preferred search engine & default browser instead
[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago

classic shell does the same thing for free I'll pass

[–] [email protected] 23 points 7 months ago (4 children)

Purchase licence key

No, thanks.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

This is the way

[–] [email protected] -5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

There are free OS alternatives out there (which I suspect you already use but just want to poop on other's parade).

I assume that if someone's already using Windows, a paid OS, they are willing to pay $2 to make it usable.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I prefer if persistent, high-permission code running on my machine is FOSS, and support the devs if I see it's useful

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I prefer it too, but if something works well and saves me time and effort for $2, I don't make a big deal out of it. I also need to accomplish things other than monkeying around with my computer.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (1 children)

idk who pays for windows these days but go you

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Almost everyone pays for Windows. Notice how computers that let you not include it in the order get cheaper.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

not everyone buys prebuilts but I haven't had any actual windows license since like windows 7 I just use a random key off a PC work is throwing out oh just don't register the shit

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

... Coffee costs more than this license.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 7 months ago

its very reasonable

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Thanks. My win11 install is coming up. Looks like I may need this. Bookmarked

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

There are more ways to make Windows suck less, even open source ones: https://feddit.de/comment/7447632 Of course, pick whatever is best for you, but FOSS is ultimately safer (and free!).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

It has had such a massive positive effect on my life relative to the price.