Windows Getting More Aggressive against Local Accounts
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I noticed recently on one of my laptops I couldn't access the built in camera or microphone anymore. Windows had updated the operating system and update had removed access to those features. When I tried to re-enable those features the option was greyed out and I couldn't. In the end I had to go into the group policy editor and change some settings there to re-enable those features. However before I did that I kept getting pushed to a screen telling me to sign into my Microsoft account to re-enable those features.
Signing into a Microsoft account slows down your PC and makes you much more vulnerable to compromising your data. Nowadays when signed in Microsoft collects data about you and sells that data. Also if there is any virus software operating in the background of your operating system it may have access to that data to sell on the dark web etc. Generally speaking its much better not to sign into your Microsoft account and not use the Edge browser for your security. However now Microsoft are getting more aggressive about users who have a local account and don't wish to let Microsoft sell their data or compromise their bank accounts etc.
So don't be surprised if you use a local account if you start getting more issues now. Microsoft are getting more determined to monetize your data.
Linux is an obvious option for greater security and much lower risk of bank fraud etc and with operating systems like Bazzite now you can use Linux for day to day computing tasks and still enjoy PC gaming on Linux with very little compromises and it costs nothing all. In fact Bazzite uses the Vulcan graphic driver layer to drive graphic cards with fantastic optimisation, no worse than Windows sometimes much better. Bazzite is a fantastic option but works best on PCs which are compatible with Vulcan 1.3 or better and Radeon chipsets. For those that have that hardware its a brilliant option.
It feels like the days of Windows local accounts are numbered but there are other options if you don't want your details spread all over the internet.
I use a chromebook now B , it does me for what i use it for , it's fast and no bugs up to now
telmel, me too. I went the chromebook route. I was fed up with Windows and their shinnanigans.
telmel Chromebooks are a fantastic option nowadays, if you are doing stuff like online banking your data is much better protected unlike Windows which constantly monitors what you are doing and keeps sending that data to Microsoft to monetize. In fairness though Chromebooks do monetize your data too its just the operating system has a core element which is more ring fenced and less likely to get compromised same as Linux. Even on Chromebooks its important to choose the options that don't share your data if possible.
Approaching 100% of the internet infrastructure is based on Linux be it webservers, public cloud, super computers etc. Windows is a huge liability not just for home users but commercial applications too. Two thirds of embedded systems are Linux based now. I think Linux will continue to take marketshare away from Windows over the coming years for home PCs. Valve has done amazing work getting Linux to play Windows PC games under steam OS and other Linux distros have learned from what they have done and make use of some of the same software now.
mudgesheila50 I used to be sorting my mother's windows based laptop it seemed every 2-3 weeks because of some issue but in the last 4 years of having a Chromebook I've not had to do anything however she has had to have her Chromebook replaced twice as twice she destroyed them by accident. Once she poured tea in the side and the other shorted the charging cable into the wrong socket by not looking. I'm ashamed to admit one of them was sent back under warranty at Amazon and refunded. The other just had to be replaced at our expense. However apart from setting up no issues with running a chromebook.
telmel I stopped using a laptop ages ago and purchased a Chromebook, much better for what I needed it for
Wow BonzoBanana thank you for all the above information on windows, l did wonder why and found it very frustrating that windows kept asking me to sign into my Microsoft account and then everything got slower.
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