Yes, you can create an adblocker for your entire home using a Windows PC.
Yes, you can create an adblocker for your entire home using a Windows PC.
I noticed the video you mentioned. It’s about blocking ads using a server or router setup. For a Windows PC, you can definitely create something similar without needing Linux. There are tools and scripts available that let you configure your network settings to block ads, even on Windows. You won’t need to install Linux unless you want to explore more advanced options.
Is there anyone in your home who wouldn’t get it that an ad-blocker could stop a site you actually need? That’s the sole reason I avoid setting one up.
You never know what breaks until it breaks. The more you block, the higher the risk is something will break. So there is a balance. Anyway, in the old days I used to run internet junk buster on a PC. This is far from ideal in the modern age though, as you had to manually manage a blocking list, and also you had to set every web browser proxy to point to the blocker. If you want a plug and play experience with no configuration on the client, you're going to have to run the PC like a router essentially. In that case, a dedicated system like pfsense could be easier than trying to get windows to do it.