Topic: Microsoft Windows – Ctrl blog

Microsoft has not stopped forcing Edge on Windows 11 users

2023-09-10T22:12:00Z

Microsoft published a blog post on the Windows Insider Blog in late August with a vague statement saying that “Windows system components“ were to begin respecting the default web browser setting. Windows 10 and 11 regularly bypass this setting and force-open links in Microsoft Edge instead. In my extensive testing, I haven’t found any changes in the new Windows Insider version.

Phone Link relays your personal data through Microsoft servers

2023-04-07T13:43:00Z

The Microsoft Phone Link (formerly known as “Your Phone”) app for Windows, Android, and iOS lets you access parts of your smartphone from within Windows. However, Microsoft has not built the service with your privacy in mind. Instead, the software behemoth relays your personal data through its servers, despite the app only working while your devices are connected to the same local network.

First look at Microsoft PC Manager and its conflicting interests

2022-10-25T15:08:00Z

Microsoft is testing a new app to compete with the many dubious “PC cleaner” software available on the market (like CCleaner and CleanMyMac). However, Microsoft’s new app looks out for the company’s interests before its customers’.

How to run Windows 11 in GNOME Boxes (with UEFI and TPM2 emulation)

2022-03-24T01:42:00Z

My old tutorial for installing Windows 10 in GNOME Boxes doesn’t work with Windows 11. Here’s how to install Windows 11 as a virtual machine (VM) inside GNOME Boxes. (Some configuration file changes required.)

2-clicks to install Windows 11/10 without the third-party bloatware

2022-02-14T16:48:00Z

When you install Windows 11 (or 10), Microsoft will preinstall additional third-party bloatware such as Candy Crush, Netflix, Spotify, and others based on your region (“inbox apps”). All you need to skip installing the bloatware is to, temporarily, choose an unrecognized region during the installation.