Microsoft has blocked Massgrave's KMS38 activation method for Windows

My wife is not technical and has no interest in adopting and learning anything.

The web works the same way regardless of the OS, and LibreOffice has all the same features as Word that she uses.

The "hard part" is choosing and upgrading hardware, and maybe installation (depending on distribution).

I mention this because I think we should evaluate these differently. With a preloaded desktop/laptop, I've had no issues with anyone that actually relates to Linux (except my BIL who was trying to build an arcade stick for gaming).

Explaining to my other BIL how to select hardware for his custom build, that took some time, as did guiding him through the installation.

You need to dedicate time to adopt and learn how to get a local account on Windows and clear out the bullshit you don't want.

I recently switched to Linux. At first I was surprised at how easy it was to set up and get working, then I was annoyed at having to look up how to do every little thing I know how to do on Windows and considered switching back.

Then I booted into Windows and in less than 10 minutes was fed up the whole OS. I realized I had to look up things just as often as I was on Linux, but in Linux it was because I didn't know where it was, where as on Windows it was actively hidden from me and fighting me every step of the way.
Windows is in no way easier, It's just the struggle you've gotten so used to fighting with every single day that you've forgotten it exists.

I don't disagree in general. However, my mom has been running Linux with a Windows XP skin for almost 8 years now without knowing she's using Linux. Literally just keeps her from running a random .exe and she does everything on a browser anyway.

and i also say this as someone who is required to use windows at work. i despise windows, its so much harder for me to use windows given linux been my daily driver for a long time. im annoyed at powershell, explorer, clunky shortcut behaviors, etc just about every second im on windows. its a nightmare difficulty for me, but i also refuse to ever relearn windows stuff. i do remember a time when it wasnt annoying as fuck to use, could be nostalgia or that people just adopt.

using windows as a linux user is a nightmare. but if someone is adopted to windows, the opposite is gonna be similar no matter what.

Well, the whole reason people have to "adopt and learn" is because M$ bought their way onto virtually every new PC sold back in the 90s, so people's first experience would be their "operating system."
Talk about leveraging anchoring bias.
I'd argue you'd have a hard time selling Windows to people if you were honest about it.

For just 145€ you get:

• an operating system that assumes you're an inept idiot
• ads in your application launcher
• a screenshot taken every minute, which gets stored outside your control and analysed by "AI"
• an invasive "assistant" that listens in on your microphone at all times
• forced to create an account to log in to "your" machine, so we can collect even more personal data

Especially when the alternative is free and let's you do whatever you want with your hardware. And if you happen to misconfigure something you get to be an adult about it and learn from your mistakes.

I don’t think you realize just how complicated it has become to administer windows these days.

If someone is already informed enough to care about having a local account under Windows, seek out ways to circumvent the normal account procedure and feels comfortable applying edits to the registry, I think they have already excluded themselves from the category of people who are unwilling to invest time and effort to get their computer/OS running how they want.

What you wrote may apply to the general public, but not for the circumstances discussed in the post you're replying to.

Bazzite, legit unless you got some funky setup you just install and go.

It's easier. It's also different. Sure, it takes time and effort to learn it, which Windows users have already done with Windows. That doesn't make it not easier. Windows also has ongoing costs of effort with all the shit they change, or the shit they push on you that advanced users try to fight off.

No one's saying it's easy. They're saying it's easier.

I have used all of them forever and it is no longer true that Windows and mac os are easy. Easy if you pay, maybe? If you don't want to use certain things and want to give all data? Its a nightmare if you have a hobby or show or thing you like to do on a computer

Can confirm. Just switched to Linux about 2 weeks ago. I am happy enough, but there was a brutal learning curve. This was for a distro that is user friendly, too. I was able to install just fine, but actually getting my environment set up is an ongoing process.

Many Linux distros are getting there, but they still aren't ready for casual users.

It's true. You run one single command in cmd, then follow the prompts. It literally highlights what you probably want too, nevermind the guide online. Even Linux mint you still have to learn where stuff is and what it's called. That's not hard, by any means, but this is literally a single command and then you're back to your routine.

Tell me you haven't even tried

Cloudflare error is my favorite activation method.

Wait there is something behind the curtain?

I did heard something about non-working airports etc. I think it's better for people to get rid of this malicious software.

I use LTSC IoT for my consulting laptop. If Win were released this way normally, there wouldn't be as many haters.

I still prefer my Årch box, this version of Windows is totally acceptable to me.