-
When Microsoft started down the road of continuous improvements, it resulted in constant change that can annoy everyone
Not everyone. I’m not annoyed, but I’m also not riding herd on a bunch of company PC’s, I’m just a home user. I have five installations on three sets of hardware, and that’s it. But not one of those installations has had any issues with Windows. My own spelunking into Windows innards has caused plenty, but having a readily available drive image to restore keeps those from really being issues of significance.
As far as improvements, I don’t use the Windows Start menu, I use StartAllBack (lifetime license) which also takes care of File Explorer. Sure, Microsoft has introduced some “features” I don’t care to use, so I don’t use them. Those that get in the way, I rip out of the registry.
I use OneDrive, I find it quite handy, and I have an online MS account for that, but I don’t have a MS user account on any of my Windows installations. OneDrive signs in automatically when I log into Windows with my local account. I also moved the OneDrive folder to a separate partition on a different drive from the OS. I use Task Scheduler running a Robocopy script to copy the folders I want on OneDrive to that relocated OneDrive folder. Works great.
I just get rid of the fluff and nonsense in Windows and continue to use it as a platform for the stuff I actually use my PC for. I’ve used Linux several times, but I’ve yet to find a compelling reason to put up with it. Two of my most used programs don’t have a Linux version. So no, I’m not annoyed with Windows nor with the continuing improvements.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users". -
-
It… “offers” to verify? I would think it would be very pushy in verifying, like not letting you proceed setup without a code.
This works with or without being connected to the internet.
mail.com is a legitimate email service. For that reason, Windows “offers” to verify, but one can click the “Not now” (or something similar, I forget the exact wording) and continue with installation.
By using
@mail.com, one has entered a legitimate email service with an unverified username. The (fakename)(fakeemailprovider) loophole was eliminated, that’s all. I simply posted what I know to work. Take it for whatever it’s worth to you. Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Disclaimer: I don’t use Bitlocker, don’t ever intend to use Bitlocker, and I disable it in Servicces, along with a few other things. I don’t need a MS account to recover a key.
In my experience, this method does not trigger Bitlocker encryption. To insure that Bitlocker stays off, as soon as the OOBE is finished, I open Services.msc, scroll down to Bitlocker, right-click and select Properties, then set it to Disabled.
A very simple installation method is to use a fake email address
@mail.com for a new MS account. Then when Windows offers to verify the account, decline. Go through the initial setup, add a new account in the Administrators group, reboot and log into the new local Administrator’s account, go through the “Hi” “getting things ready”. Next, delete the fake MS account (there will be warnings), and proceed as you like. You can accomplish the same thing using a real MS account for installation purposes, then follow the instructions to delete that user account from your PC.
I usually create a new Standard user account, reboot, log into the Standard user account and do everything else from there, dealing with UAC as it occurs. This works with or without being connected to the internet.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users". -
-
-
-
How about an OTT Install.
An OTT will put it where I don’t want it. Windows RE will fix it as well as put it wherever you want it. I have mine on a 1GB partition on a separate NVMe SSD. Windows Update finds it just fine. It also has Image For Windows embedded in it.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Hardened Windows user:
A side updates (I’ve upgraded to 24H2):KB5053598 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
No hiccups. I’m still not seeing any of the reported problems with 24H2 that I’ve read about and that have been reported here at AskWoody. I’ve uninstalled all the nuisance apps, just as I’ve done with every other version of Windows, and it’s running nice and steady.
Now running Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.3476). I’ll wait for the push on my NAS and E5420.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".1 user thanked author for this post.
-
I use OneDrive, so all my documents are already in the cloud. I use an Excel spreadsheet (password protected) for password storage, which is in my documents, in the cloud. I generate my own random passwords just by selecting the password cell in that spreadsheet, then rolling my fist around on the keyboard while tickling the shift key. Then I copy that password, and paste it in the password field of the website for which I’m signing up.
It’s also simple enough to tether my phone as an internet hot spot, so I can still get online. Like @PKCano I live in a hurricane-prone area, west-central Florida, where we also have frequent and sometimes quite powerful thunderstorms. Many of the cell towers in my area appear to have backup generators. After Charlie, we were without power for ten days, POTS went down (a lot of the lines are strung on poles), but I still had cell phone service. For a couple of days I had to get up on the roof to get a strong signal, but I was never without cell service.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".1 user thanked author for this post.
-
I believe that in the end it all depends on what kinds of products we’re talking about.
Pretty much everything. Food, clothing, shoes, gasoline, very little will be unaffected.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users". -
Fastboot is disabled. Hibernation is disabled. Sleep is disabled. I have multiple routine maintenance/file copy chores that are handled by Task Scheduler in the wee hours, so I only sign off, never shutdown except for hardware maintenance/upgrades.
As for reboots, whether an installation of software requires it or not, I will reboot just to clear out all memory addresses to make sure everything starts fresh, but other than that, I don’t reboot. Sometimes I get calls from friends or relatives about PC issues, and the first thing I will recommend is a reboot. Quite often, that takes care of the problem. The same is true for smart phones. Often a reboot will give one a fresh start and eliminate the glitch(s).
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".2 users thanked author for this post.
-
Version 4.04 made available on February 25, 2025, for Image For Windows. This is a free upgrade of Image for Windows for licensed users of 4.xx IFW. A single license for home use still allows installation on up to 5 PC’s, as always.
Also PartWork™ for Windows version 2.04 made available on February 25, 2025.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users".1 user thanked author for this post.
-
The emails are being sent directly by PayPal from the address “service@paypal.com,” causing people to be concerned their account was hacked…
As always, do not click on a link in an email, do not call numbers listed in an email. If you have a question/concern about your account, visit your account via your own saved url for that account.
When I buy something from Amazon, I’ll get a confirmation email, with a tracking link. I don’t click on the link, I go to Amazon and track it from there.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users". -
Author
