I feel quite frustrated with this situation.
I feel quite frustrated with this situation.
Using the web also lets me update the firmware, which hasn't been done since last year. I forgot to install the scanner after setting up this system in January... I've only ever scanned for copying or printing until now.
I consider changing regularly just because W10 feels too intrusive with its constant monitoring and the annoying automatic updates. Still, I believe securing W10 is easier than dealing with setup and ensuring everything functions smoothly on Linux. At least I think so.
I believe many assume the effort needed to get everything running on Linux is excessive. Most tasks are straightforward—simply install and use. Typically, the only early command-line steps involve installing software, which is quicker when you know exactly what you need. For apps like Wine or Proton, and platforms such as Steam, it seems even simpler than Windows because you rarely deal with drivers or complicated installers; everything is available at once from a single source.
I understand your perspective... I've experimented with this concept for years. Being a Win7 skeptic, I only switched to W10 because I wanted a fresh setup and wanted access to newer hardware features—like DX12. At least I got W10 Pro, not the basic version. I use OOSU10 to block telemetry data and other tracking tools, removed all Xbox and Microsoft Store links, and disabled Cortana. I run it weekly to confirm nothing is reactivated.
One of my first steps is installing Classic Shell so W10’s start menu resembles Windows 7. It really improves the interface compared to the current W10 layout. I’ve set up a metered account for my network, which prevents automatic updates but requires manual checks. My mediaserver still runs Windows 7 Pro, since it’s mainly for streaming and downloading from reliable sources. I’ll keep it running until the end of Windows 7 support in January, even though it’s no longer updated.
I have an old AMD AM3+ motherboard, another FX CPU, 4GB RAM, an R9 280X graphics card, and several aging HDDs. There’s no case or power supply yet. For a modest investment, I could assemble a minimal system to try Linux—though I’m unsure where to begin. I’d prefer something simple, similar to Windows, with straightforward installation and setup. Once comfortable, dual booting into another distribution would be manageable. I’ve already tried dual-booting between Windows and another OS, which was challenging.