Are you fed up with Microsoft’s invasive behavior? They increasingly insert themselves into your digital life, collect your data and do not respect your wishes. Normally I would be angry, but there is no Microsoft on my system and I will explain why.
From data collection to manipulation of its users, Microsoft has become a villain in several key aspects, setting the stage for its possible downfall. The way Microsoft treats its users is not right. They are complacent and if they are not careful, they will cause irreversible damage to your brand. Linux is waiting and naturally positions itself on Microsoft’s weaknesses: cost and freedom.
The magnitude of telemetry collection in Windows is terrifying
Linux does not collect personal data
Something changed at Microsoft sometime after Windows 7. I don’t know if they envied Google’s lucrative data collection model on its popular operating system (Android), but they went from collecting almost no user data in Windows XP to harvesting an absurd amount today.
You just need to take a look your documentation recognize the astonishing scope of this operation. It would be quicker to list the things they don’t collect:
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The color of your underwear
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your dog’s name
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what you had for breakfast
Microsoft receives potentially thousands of data points about your system and the collection occurs every time you change something or reboot. On top of that, Windows 11 attaches common data to each request, such as:
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Device IDs, brands and models
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User ID, both on-premises and in the cloud
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Operating system information
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Application information (such as session data) to determine usage behavior
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a lot more
For the sake of brevity, I’m just scratching the surface and suggest you see it for yourself. The page is technical, but the small scroll handle clearly indicates its immense scale. This is not a small document.
For people switching to Linux, data collection is one of the most cited reasons. Users want privacy. They are not subjects; They are human beings. It’s not okay, and refusing to buy Microsoft products is the way they speak their language.
Linux is free and doesn’t collect your data without asking. When asked, in rare cases, a simple “no” is enough: no games or settings changes without your consent. Your Linux system remains private forever.
Microsoft does not respect its users
Linux respects your limits
Is it any wonder Microsoft puts itself first? They are a multinational corporation whose main goal is to make as much money as they can. Given the historical monopoly they have had over the desktop market, it is no surprise that they take their users for granted.
In recent years, Microsoft has frequently employed deceptive design patterns (also known as dark patterns) to coerce and manipulate its users into performing specific actions. While these tactics are common in marketing, they exploit the biases of human thinking to achieve desired results.
Let’s quickly touch on what’s relevant. dark patterns:
- Persistent: Persistent requests that exhaust users to the point of submission. For example, constant notifications to subscribe to a newsletter.
- sneaking into the basket: Adding an item to a checkout list or cart without permission. For example, when you make the purchase and find an additional promotional product there.
- Bad direction: The use of misleading images or language. For example, making a close button work like an accept button.
- Obstruction: When an undesirable action is more difficult than a desirable one. For example, making it incredibly difficult to deactivate an account.
- forced action: When a desirable action is inevitable. For example, a dialog box that won’t close until you provide an email address.
Using these patterns is not a mistake. It requires a premeditated commitment to fool people, and over the last decade, Microsoft has implemented a number of dirty tricks to get its users to comply:
- Persistent: They persistently sent notifications asking the user to upgrade to Windows 10.
- sneaking into the basket: They included Windows 10 updates as part of the security patches and also set Edge as default browser.
- Bad direction: Modified a confirmation dialog so that the “X” button acted as a sign of acceptance of the update.
- Obstruction: When users set telemetry collection to minimal amounts, Windows Update did not work correctly, further putting users at risk.
- forced action: Reset users’ advertising preferences after an update and ignoring browser default option for Start menu searches.
Using such tactics is a dead end. It will only anger users, break their trust, and take them places they don’t want to go. You don’t get any of this on Linux. You get a stable interface designed and written by the same people who use it. There is no ulterior motive to increase your sales or lock yourself in: you are free to leave and come back whenever you want. With Linux, you get what you ask for and your choices are respected.
Showing ads on top of a license fee is disrespectful
Linux does not show you ads
Paying for the software usually means you get the premium package and first-class treatment. That is not the case with Microsoft.
Windows 11 saw the arrival of Start Menu Adswith lock screen suggestions, promotional notifications and recommended content appearing even earlier. They charge licensing fees, restrict your use, and take advantage of your time and attention.
It’s time to move back, and that’s done by moving platforms. Hit them where it hurts most: their pockets.
Linux does not show you ads. We have already said enough.
Vote with your money, because that’s the only comment Microsoft understands
You may have noticed that I never mentioned invasive AI technology or buggy software, because I didn’t feel the need. These are important issues, each enough to force change on its own.
The excruciating problems with Windows continue to pile up, and with its mind on the bottom line, Microsoft shows no signs of caring what you think. They will take advantage of you as many times as they can.
So what can you do? I think the answer is obvious: you vote with your money. It’s not a personal crusade, just a sensible signal to Microsoft that these violations are wrong. Until they are willing to respect you as a customer paying for the privilege of ownership (not the privilege of being forced upon you), Linux will be waiting there and they won’t charge you a single cent.
