+ Making Windows "Usable" +
+-
+
- 31 Oct, 2023 +
- 784 words +
- 3 minute read +
I'm not quiet about my intense distaste for Microsoft's attempt at an operating system, Windows. I find Windows to be a horrific amalgamation of legacy code, bloat, and hostile user practices that I avoid when possible. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to avoid.
+This year, I found myself doing a Certificate IV in Graphic Design that required Adobe's Creative Cloud. As I'm sure you know, this software only runs on MacOS and Windows, which lead to quite the conundrum. Not willing to give up my beloved Arch Linux, I needed a way to get these programs running on my computer.
+Dual booting was an option, but one with hassle, so I chose to fire up a Windows virtual machine with a few tweaks. I ran the virtual machine with KVM/QEMU using Virt-Man but that isn't the focus of this article. This article is about how I made Windows vaguely usable and how you can achieve the same.
+Installation
+While it may seem sensible to just jump straight into installation, there is a much better way to do it. You'll first need to grab an ISO from the Microsoft Website. If you are wondering why I recommend Windows 11 over 10, it's for a few reasons. I find 11 to be a bit more visually appealing, and it also gets more focus from Microsoft, giving it newer features and making it more secure. Most of the issues that people blabber on about can be easily fixed with a few under the hood changes anyway.
+Writing the ISO once you've got it is pretty easy. If you have a Windows install on hand that you can use to create the installation media, then I recommend writing the ISO with Rufus. If using another OS, then use whatever you're most used to.
+Once you've booted to the installer, I recommend setting the 'Time and Currency Format' to 'English (World)'. This will stop Windows from installing all of its default bloat but will break the Microsoft Store. Don't fret if you like the Microsoft Store, as this guide will tell you how to reenable it later. I then suggest selecting 'Windows 11 Pro' for the version.
+Once you've entered the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), there may be a decently long loading screen before you are greeted by a region error. Click 'skip' and then continue as you usually would.
+When it asks how you would like the device setup, select 'Set up for Work or School'. On the following screen, select 'Sign-in options' and then 'Domain join instead' which will allow you to create an offline account. Then continue on with setup and disable any telemetry toggles as you go. Once finished, your computer will boot into the desktop.
+Configuration
+If you want to use the Microsoft Store, then you will need to change your region. This can be done by opening settings and navigating to 'Time & language > Language & region'. Set the 'Country or Region' to your own.
+In my opinion, Microsoft made some truly baffling decisions in Windows 11, so I'll run you through how to unbaffle your install.
+The first thing to do is figure out how you want to install applications. I recommend using a command line tool such as Scoop or Chocolatey, especially if you're coming from Linux. Otherwise, you can use the Microsoft Store (if you reenabled it above) or just download installers from websites.
+The second thing that I recommend is fixing the start menu. For this, I choose ExplorerPatcher which brings back Windows 10's start menu with added customisability and adds the ability to change flyouts and other such things. It's very good.
+I also recommend installing using Microsoft's PowerToys. The full functionality is outside the scope of this article, but I use it to set my keyboard layout, better rename files, organise my window layouts, and highlight my cursor for demonstrations.
+If you are a developer, then you can't go wrong with DevToys which is an excellent little tool that you will constantly find yourself using. When developing, it can also prove useful to add things to the File Explorer context menu. Shell is a very good tool that does just that.
+A few other assorted tools and programs that work on Windows and that I can recommend include:
+-
+
- 7-Zip - a very good archive manager. +
- Firefox - an excellent browser. +
- VLC - a FOSS media player that plays just about anything. +
- Thunderbird - a very nice email client. +
- LibreOffice - an excellent office suite. Check out my guide on improving it. +
+
I hope you found this little guide useful. Is there anything specific you do for your installs or something that I missed? If so, leave it in the comments!
++ +
+
Review
Halo: My Thoughts
27 Aug, 2023 | 2315 words | 8 minute read
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+ Blog
+ Making Windows "Usable"
+
+
+
+ Tips & Tutorials
+
+ Making Windows "Usable"
+
+
+ - 31 Oct, 2023
+ - 784 words
+ - 3 minute read
+
+
+I'm not quiet about my intense distaste for Microsoft's attempt at an operating system, Windows. I find Windows to be a horrific amalgamation of legacy code, bloat, and hostile user practices that I avoid when possible. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to avoid.
+This year, I found myself doing a Certificate IV in Graphic Design that required Adobe's Creative Cloud. As I'm sure you know, this software only runs on MacOS and Windows, which lead to quite the conundrum. Not willing to give up my beloved Arch Linux, I needed a way to get these programs running on my computer.
+Dual booting was an option, but one with hassle, so I chose to fire up a Windows virtual machine with a few tweaks. I ran the virtual machine with KVM/QEMU using Virt-Man but that isn't the focus of this article. This article is about how I made Windows vaguely usable and how you can achieve the same.
+Installation
+While it may seem sensible to just jump straight into installation, there is a much better way to do it. You'll first need to grab an ISO from the Microsoft Website. If you are wondering why I recommend Windows 11 over 10, it's for a few reasons. I find 11 to be a bit more visually appealing, and it also gets more focus from Microsoft, giving it newer features and making it more secure. Most of the issues that people blabber on about can be easily fixed with a few under the hood changes anyway.
+Writing the ISO once you've got it is pretty easy. If you have a Windows install on hand that you can use to create the installation media, then I recommend writing the ISO with Rufus. If using another OS, then use whatever you're most used to.
+Once you've booted to the installer, I recommend setting the 'Time and Currency Format' to 'English (World)'. This will stop Windows from installing all of its default bloat but will break the Microsoft Store. Don't fret if you like the Microsoft Store, as this guide will tell you how to reenable it later. I then suggest selecting 'Windows 11 Pro' for the version.
+Once you've entered the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), there may be a decently long loading screen before you are greeted by a region error. Click 'skip' and then continue as you usually would.
+When it asks how you would like the device setup, select 'Set up for Work or School'. On the following screen, select 'Sign-in options' and then 'Domain join instead' which will allow you to create an offline account. Then continue on with setup and disable any telemetry toggles as you go. Once finished, your computer will boot into the desktop.
+Configuration
+If you want to use the Microsoft Store, then you will need to change your region. This can be done by opening settings and navigating to 'Time & language > Language & region'. Set the 'Country or Region' to your own.
+In my opinion, Microsoft made some truly baffling decisions in Windows 11, so I'll run you through how to unbaffle your install.
+The first thing to do is figure out how you want to install applications. I recommend using a command line tool such as Scoop or Chocolatey, especially if you're coming from Linux. Otherwise, you can use the Microsoft Store (if you reenabled it above) or just download installers from websites.
+The second thing that I recommend is fixing the start menu. For this, I choose ExplorerPatcher which brings back Windows 10's start menu with added customisability and adds the ability to change flyouts and other such things. It's very good.
+I also recommend installing using Microsoft's PowerToys. The full functionality is outside the scope of this article, but I use it to set my keyboard layout, better rename files, organise my window layouts, and highlight my cursor for demonstrations.
+If you are a developer, then you can't go wrong with DevToys which is an excellent little tool that you will constantly find yourself using. When developing, it can also prove useful to add things to the File Explorer context menu. Shell is a very good tool that does just that.
+A few other assorted tools and programs that work on Windows and that I can recommend include:
+
+- 7-Zip - a very good archive manager.
+- Firefox - an excellent browser.
+- VLC - a FOSS media player that plays just about anything.
+- Thunderbird - a very nice email client.
+- LibreOffice - an excellent office suite. Check out my guide on improving it.
+
+
+I hope you found this little guide useful. Is there anything specific you do for your installs or something that I missed? If so, leave it in the comments!
+
+
+
+
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/gen.sh b/gen.sh
index 514f468..2569156 100755
--- a/gen.sh
+++ b/gen.sh
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ adduce feed publish Announcing_Adduce
adduce feed publish Revolt_Promotion
adduce feed publish LibreOffice_Setup
adduce feed publish Halo_My_Thoughts
+adduce feed publish Making_Windows_Usable
cp -r feed/export/. ../docs/blog
cd ../
Review
Halo: My Thoughts
27 Aug, 2023 | 2315 words | 8 minute read
diff --git a/docs/blog/Making_Windows_Usable.html b/docs/blog/Making_Windows_Usable.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c025066 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/blog/Making_Windows_Usable.html @@ -0,0 +1,90 @@ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ Making Windows "Usable" +
+-
+
- 31 Oct, 2023 +
- 784 words +
- 3 minute read +
I'm not quiet about my intense distaste for Microsoft's attempt at an operating system, Windows. I find Windows to be a horrific amalgamation of legacy code, bloat, and hostile user practices that I avoid when possible. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to avoid.
+This year, I found myself doing a Certificate IV in Graphic Design that required Adobe's Creative Cloud. As I'm sure you know, this software only runs on MacOS and Windows, which lead to quite the conundrum. Not willing to give up my beloved Arch Linux, I needed a way to get these programs running on my computer.
+Dual booting was an option, but one with hassle, so I chose to fire up a Windows virtual machine with a few tweaks. I ran the virtual machine with KVM/QEMU using Virt-Man but that isn't the focus of this article. This article is about how I made Windows vaguely usable and how you can achieve the same.
+Installation
+While it may seem sensible to just jump straight into installation, there is a much better way to do it. You'll first need to grab an ISO from the Microsoft Website. If you are wondering why I recommend Windows 11 over 10, it's for a few reasons. I find 11 to be a bit more visually appealing, and it also gets more focus from Microsoft, giving it newer features and making it more secure. Most of the issues that people blabber on about can be easily fixed with a few under the hood changes anyway.
+Writing the ISO once you've got it is pretty easy. If you have a Windows install on hand that you can use to create the installation media, then I recommend writing the ISO with Rufus. If using another OS, then use whatever you're most used to.
+Once you've booted to the installer, I recommend setting the 'Time and Currency Format' to 'English (World)'. This will stop Windows from installing all of its default bloat but will break the Microsoft Store. Don't fret if you like the Microsoft Store, as this guide will tell you how to reenable it later. I then suggest selecting 'Windows 11 Pro' for the version.
+Once you've entered the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), there may be a decently long loading screen before you are greeted by a region error. Click 'skip' and then continue as you usually would.
+When it asks how you would like the device setup, select 'Set up for Work or School'. On the following screen, select 'Sign-in options' and then 'Domain join instead' which will allow you to create an offline account. Then continue on with setup and disable any telemetry toggles as you go. Once finished, your computer will boot into the desktop.
+Configuration
+If you want to use the Microsoft Store, then you will need to change your region. This can be done by opening settings and navigating to 'Time & language > Language & region'. Set the 'Country or Region' to your own.
+In my opinion, Microsoft made some truly baffling decisions in Windows 11, so I'll run you through how to unbaffle your install.
+The first thing to do is figure out how you want to install applications. I recommend using a command line tool such as Scoop or Chocolatey, especially if you're coming from Linux. Otherwise, you can use the Microsoft Store (if you reenabled it above) or just download installers from websites.
+The second thing that I recommend is fixing the start menu. For this, I choose ExplorerPatcher which brings back Windows 10's start menu with added customisability and adds the ability to change flyouts and other such things. It's very good.
+I also recommend installing using Microsoft's PowerToys. The full functionality is outside the scope of this article, but I use it to set my keyboard layout, better rename files, organise my window layouts, and highlight my cursor for demonstrations.
+If you are a developer, then you can't go wrong with DevToys which is an excellent little tool that you will constantly find yourself using. When developing, it can also prove useful to add things to the File Explorer context menu. Shell is a very good tool that does just that.
+A few other assorted tools and programs that work on Windows and that I can recommend include:
+-
+
- 7-Zip - a very good archive manager. +
- Firefox - an excellent browser. +
- VLC - a FOSS media player that plays just about anything. +
- Thunderbird - a very nice email client. +
- LibreOffice - an excellent office suite. Check out my guide on improving it. +
+
I hope you found this little guide useful. Is there anything specific you do for your installs or something that I missed? If so, leave it in the comments!
++ +