Got this via Mastodon which will not let me search for the source.
If you’re in the US, when you set up Windows for the first time, select English (Europe) or English (World), not English (US). That will stop it installing all the bloatware that USians are not protected from but everyone else is.
It’s definitely a US thing, I’m on English (Singapore) and have not seen an ad, ever. I was perplexed by all the complaints of ads in the start menu and wherever, until someone pointed to me that it was a US thing.
You must switch back to English (US) after installation if you want access to Microsoft Store (and even if you don’t, you probably should because most apps are now there).
I’ve seen a few tools to suppress most telemetry such as ChrisTitusTech’s winutil or O&O ShutUp, maybe you could give that a try. Microsoft is really pushing hard Bing & Edge…
Also, as a Linux user, I must obliged to the rules and say there’s alternatives out there if you want to try something new. :-) !linux@lemmy.ml
Got this via Mastodon which will not let me search for the source.
If you’re in the US, when you set up Windows for the first time, select English (Europe) or English (World), not English (US). That will stop it installing all the bloatware that USians are not protected from but everyone else is.
It’s definitely a US thing, I’m on English (Singapore) and have not seen an ad, ever. I was perplexed by all the complaints of ads in the start menu and wherever, until someone pointed to me that it was a US thing.
We leave in Japan, and my wife had that popup once already (using Brave on Win10 - surface laptop)
You must switch back to English (US) after installation if you want access to Microsoft Store (and even if you don’t, you probably should because most apps are now there).
I’ve seen a few tools to suppress most telemetry such as ChrisTitusTech’s winutil or O&O ShutUp, maybe you could give that a try. Microsoft is really pushing hard Bing & Edge…
Also, as a Linux user, I must obliged to the rules and say there’s alternatives out there if you want to try something new. :-) !linux@lemmy.ml
What exactly are you getting from the Microsoft app store out of curiosity?
Windows Terminal + WSL, everything related to Xbox if you’re using Gamepass or “Play anywhere” titles (Xbox/PC cross-buy).
Most basics apps are from the Microsoft app store too; calculator, calendar, paint, etc.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve used Windows, but you’d be surprise how much apps are now updated through that app store.
If your device use Windows in S mode, all your apps must come from the store & you must use Edge.