RANT: Why I've (reluctantly) switched back to Windows from Linux

General Computing
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Preface:
I have been a Linux user pretty much since I got into the whole privacy scene in my teen years where my hobby was flashing custom ROMs and reinstalling operating OS’s on my computer. Which is basically most of my computing life.
However I’m a grown adult now and would prefer a hobby that doesn’t suck the soul out of my life and burn my SSD constantly. I’m still very much pro-privacy however I want to get real work done without having fiddle with the OS.
I have been a bit spoiled in my life with different options at my disposal. I have chosen MacOS as my primary desktop OS but I have other systems that don’t have MacOS as an option.

Software compatibility and UX:
I am not a gamer and at this point the games that use any sort of anti-cheat are mostly garbage in my point of view so I was steering clear from them regardless of OS. Web browsing is superior on Linux with the exception of Mullvad Browser upon setup but once that is done it felt seamless thanks to all the window management options. Video games and Web browsing great that’s what most people use their computers for so I can stay right? Not quite. As I am on my journey to self-fulfilment I aspire to get creative and although most of my workflow is actually done with FOSS software already the exception to the rule is a pretty big one and that is Davinci Resolve. Davinci Resolve supports Linux you say? I I’ve complained about this in a previous post but to be frank I don’t want to fiddle around with 3rd party solutions only for it to half work in first place. Which seems to be a common theme in Linux .

Hardware Compatibility:
If I buy a laptop where I am fond of the hardware I want to be able to use all the hardware features such as the fingerprint sensor or embedded mic without much issue by default as well ass any plug and play accessories without much friction.

Mental Health:

I almost hate to bring this up but I have to. So in hopes that the community does better to be inclusive and to explain one of the biggest reasons why I just can’t do Linux for the time being. It’s community of content creators. I’ve seen some great
creators Linux Experiment, Trafotin and obviously Techlore but they are overshadowed by the other types of Linux/Privacy creators. As a PoC and a LGBTQ+ advocate I cannot believe I’ve allowed myself to passively consume so much hateful content in the name of learning.

This video by Trafotin explains a fraction of the shit I’ve witnessed:

And if it was in isolation I’d probably be fine but other prominent figures in the Linux space are unfortunately very vocal. While I realize this will exist everywhere it’s a really bad look that people with such influence on a product. If the average person that goes down the same rabbit hole I have they will likely conclude that Linux/Privacy is for a bunch of weirdos. Which is already a problem we face in the community. I don’t bother watching Linux content anymore as a result of this and I can’t lie. I’m kind of happy about it. I think I’d rather be pleasantly surprised rather than follow so closely anyways.

My Compromised Solution:
So far I’ve uninstalled bloat using win get, hardened defender settings, disabled telemetry, use NextDNS, Native Tracking blocklist, and currently searching for resources that tell me what are the best settings for Local Security Policy, Task Scheduler , WIndows Firewall and Group Policy. If there is a decent Windows guide that goes in to that level of depth while being easy to understand please link me to it. I’m thinking about using Fedora in A VM but I have yet to find a way to do it that isn’t absolute glitch fest.

This is not the end:
I still love Linux and do hope to make a return as my primary OS. Specifically Fedora when they’ve reached their goals with adoption, security and when app distribution isn’t a fucking mess for both users and developers. Until big name apps have proper flatpak support I’m not willing to be a guinea pig. I understand this will delay the process but I don’t want to worry about tech support when I should be working a project and risk consuming something from a creator that I cant condone. Until we meet again my beloved penguin friend.

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It’s okay ! :grin:

Can look into LTSC.

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I actually tried Win 10 LTSC the other day, but activating it was a massive hassle. Especially since I had to run unknown scripts and download files I had no idea about, I ended up switching back.

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*cough* *cough* MAS

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Far as I am aware Windows 11 doesnt have LTSC yet and either way I have Enterprise.
I prefer 11 for a variety of reasons

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Apologies in advance for the lengthy response.

You are not wrong about Linux having it’s own shortcomings, especially with software compatability and certain bits of hardware (i.e. fingerprint reader, internal mic). However, it doesn’t mean you have to completely go back to Windows or MacOS.

Compromised Solution
Tweaking your solution a tad, you could boot either Linux or Windows from an external SSD, while having the other OS run from the computer’s internal SSD. Ideally you would run your personal stuff exclusively on the Linux installation, and everything else on the Windows installation. You would get the best of both worlds. Another option, if you can afford it, would be to have a second machine dedicated to Windows applications and tasks. As for the VM route, that’s a good option, but I’d swap the OS’s (Linux host, Windows/MacOS as guest).

Mental Health
I get it. It really is difficult to learn different things in the Linux/Privacy Communities, while having to sit through creators spouting misinformation, selling products viewers don’t even need or should ever buy, or just doing the double-speak on the regular. As a content creator within the privacy community, it’s aggrivating, often bloodboiling. I understand it.

That being said, even the crappy creators occassionally have some useful tips, tricks, or news to offer. Filtering out the BS from the useful information is a necessary skill in the tech space, and in life overall. I’m not saying to completely embrace the creators you dislike, far from it. If it makes you feel better, download their videos to skim through offline so they don’t get the watch time or the view count from you.

I say all of this in good faith, despite the very real possibility that I’m going to be blocked by this forum for a difference of opinion (because I have been), no matter how polite my post might be. If I don’t reply back, you’ll at least know why.

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I have already made this decision and I dont want to revert for the time being to be honest. Any form of dual booting would be more hassle than its worth when I’m probably going to be spending most of my time in Windows regardless because I wanna be able to do my thing on a whim. Linux host and Windows/MacOS guest is not an option as my Desktop PC doesnt support VFIO GPU Passthrough and again why put this extra friction for? I just want the damn thing to work. Linux is great at a lot of things. User-friendliness is not one of them. I consider it a great tool up my sleeve but not my go to.

Yes and when that information is coming from a source I can’t trust its better not to waste my time. (My most valuable resource) at all even if they are right some of the time. My hobby is not supposed to be shifting through bs I can’t stand its about enjoyment. Which I don’t enjoy hearing hate, There is no compromise for me in that part.

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Like? (Curious)

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Speaking for myself, I do it for compartmentalization, organization, and less distractions. If I need to pay bills or check personal emails, I’ll boot up my Linux installation. If I’m playing games or creating video content, I’ll boot up my Windows installation on an external SSD.

Plus, I use VMs on Linux to keep different aspects of my life separated, but organized. I have VMs for Banking, School, Work, Shopping, and Entertainment. I just don’t like the idea of doing everything on a single system, without some degree of separation.

Sometimes it more about staying informed, and less about “enjoyment”. But I’ve already said my piece on that part, so you do you.

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I prefer the new taskbar and interface of the OS, It’s visually pleasing and better for touchscreen devices
Windows 11 has some decent security features that are not present in 10 like VBS and TPM
I often use Windows Subsystem for Android which to my knowledge is Windows 11 only
Also If Microsoft is going to phase support for 10 by next year I think its better just to hop on the train now instead of waiting till the last second

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Any news of win11 LTSC?

Or is there a reliable “tiny11” script we have rn?

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I can totally get behind that. Compartmentalization is important and can respect the workflow. However for me it has the opposite effect the more OS’s I have to manage the more distracting it is. Different browsers and profiles is my go to method for that which might not be as airtight secure as your solution but it still is a net positive for my threat model.

This is just coming off a bit disingenuous to me. I am more than happy to stay informed. (Why else would I be on here if I didnt?) Part of the process of remaining informed is weeding out and a establishing a boundary with unreliable resources and saying I’m not giving this my attention anymore. A broken clock is right twice a day does that mean you should keep using it? You would (hopefully) cut off or minimize contact with a person from your life that’s contributing negatively. Content creators are no different especially when it’s supposed to be leisure. So by extension what self respecting individual in the right mind would actively and consciously consume harmful content just because we share a hobby and they want learn more? Been there done that.

I recommend against any tiny11 scripts as you’re just breaking the default security model of the OS which would negate any privacy gains you may get from that. LTSC seems to work for you. I dont believe Win 11 LTSC is releasing till late in the year I’m afraid

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I just wanted to say, good for you! It takes a lot of thinking and introspection to make a post like this. I think you’ve made the right choice and have weighed things up pretty well I hope it goes well!

I also share this issue, it’s been particularly hard to ignore as I have been coming into political consciousness.

Here’s some channels that you might like that you might not have heard of:

I don’t know it depends on your threat model I think using separate browsers for different activities should be enough for the average person (banking, entertainment, etc). I’d say using a separate device for work/school activities is definitely a good idea. Perhaps even a separate user profile on macOS can suffice too.

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Can you use two devices? I have a Windows mini PC for work stuff and music production (I’m not even going to try that on Linux) and a laptop with Pop!_OS for all personal use. Neither device was very expensive and both can handle all tasks well. I game on console.

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Thank you. That goes a long way.

Im thankful for the suggestions but I’m not really looking for new linux content anyway as I said I’d rather be pleasantly surprised. I have heard and watched Wolfgang and Veronica Explains before. But the thing is they don’t do bite-sized/digestible tech commentary which is what I’m way more interested in that rather than diving super deep into tech

This would probably be a good time to mention that I own multiple devices

I use a base model M2 Mac Mini for basic work and as much as I hate to admit it. It’s my favorite device. For more demanding tasks that my Mac cant handle I use my tower PC. and then my laptop is some Lenovo I bought out of impulse at Best Buy which I had heard was a brand that had good Linux support. Unfortunately that was not my experience. Software and networking worked well but the hardware I had bought the device for (Touchscreen & fingerprint) was janky or non-existent under Linux. That combined the software quirks I had mentioned prior just made prefer Windows. The closest thing I own to a Linux device as of right now is my Steam Deck which is just sitting in a drawer because I don’t have much investment in video games as I once did and also because I got a defective unit and let the warranty expire. I would need justify spending money for repair on I device I don’t use often.

After I unfortunately lost my Pixel phone I started to rely on my iPhone much more heavily and although I hate the loss of freedom. I appreciate things being way more streamlined ever since then I wanted to apply that same principle on my other devices and it feels a lot more focused. Linux has the potential to be that streamlined but as of right now we’re still debating with each other about different protocols :rofl:

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I wish all the best for you friend. I ended up reluctantly doing the same mainly because of NVIDIAs shitty relationship with Wayland. If I end up building a new machine with an AMD GPU, I’ll switch back but until then, its too painful.

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