Hacker News Reader

Comment by bitmasher9 | Hacker News Reader

Is a Microsoft account required to use Windows on these RTX spark laptops?

Am I being too stubborn for not wanting a cloud account tied to my desktop operating system?

It is getting progressively more difficult to set up a new Windows laptop without a cloud account. Currently it's a pretty esotaric command line prompt if you know the keybinding to get a terminal open.

For Win10, I had to keep it disconnected from the network throughout the install process. Once you're connected, you have to do it all over again.

Win7 was the GOAT

Win2k was the best Windows, only gotten worse from there.

Win2K was the best for the time, but it's missing too many useful features for people to want to use it today. Win7 is the best today but is artificially deprecated.

Let ask Claude to RE the Win7 and backport new feature to it /s.

Well I already told it to make Win10 shut the hell up about updating to Win11, that worked at least

The worst it can get is having to reinstall windows with an image modified to run first setup with a local account. Though with a lot of manufacturers it's a good idea to do that anyway to also avoid all of the bloatware they preinstall.

No, the vendor is being too presumptuous. This is clearly a case of them putting their needs above yours.

My takeaway from these complaints is there were 5th graders in the 90s that were more skilled at installing Windows. If you can't find the way around it (10 sec search) the natural reaction is not "I'll install Linux and complicate my life further".

In fact if getting stalled by a single screen in the installer is a showstopper, then you're in for a world of hurt with Linux.

To be fair, TFA lists more reasons to avoid Windows:

> Mine include the privacy concessions during setup, the years spent waiting for Microsoft to let people put the taskbar on the side of the screen again, and the advertising.

Of course you don't have to agree on all of them, but please don't assume everyone acts only because they can't find a tutorial on the net!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com