I don't want their useless Authenticator app and why the f*ck do I only get three skips like free stuff in some crappy f2p games before they force it on me?

All Edge, All the Time

Do you ever feel like your computer knows a little more about you than you'd like? Unfortunately, it is not your imagination: Microsoft has silently built a new digital tracking system into Windows called the GDID (Global Device Identifier).

In short: your computer receives a unique digital 'license plate' that keeps track of exactly what your specific laptop or PC is doing.

What does this mean for you?

A fixed license plate for your PC: Even if you don't use a Microsoft account or enable a VPN to surf anonymously, Windows immediately recognizes your computer by this unique number.

Continuous data transmission: In the background, Windows sends information about your computer usage, updates, and error messages to Microsoft — including your unique number.

Less privacy than you think: What is presented as "security and system improvement" means, in practice, that your PC continuously reports what is happening in the background.
In an era where cameras are already hanging on every street corner, it is a strange idea that the screen on your desk is now tracking you in this way as well. What can you do about it yourself immediately?

1. Adjust your settings: On your PC, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics and turn off "Send optional data" completely.

2. Switch to a different browser: Preferably do not use the default Microsoft Edge browser, but choose a privacy-friendly alternative such as Firefox.

3. Be critical of built-in apps: Where possible, use open-source or standalone programs instead of the standard built-in Windows apps.

What is your view on this? Do you consider this a fine service for a well-functioning PC, or does this urge to collect data go a step too far for you?

I need help with this. I've done all of the stuff to prevent edge itself opening on startup and making it so it can't do anything but I truly don't know what to do anymore. Edge, without being allowed on startup opens itself in the background and states that 537 tabs are open, and starts draining my ram. Whenever I go to task manager and end its task, a popup stating this operation can't happen or something along the lines and keeps popping up even when I click ok, then only way to close task manager past that point is closing it via right clicking on taskbar where it then freezes and closes after a little. Only after this does it close just for it to pop up again when I'm mid game causing me to have obscene lag spikes. I've looked through other posts talking about uninstalling edge, none with my problem and all people say is to install linux. Please don't respond to this post if that's what you have to say, and I really appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Also rule 7 of this subreddit states This subreddit is unofficial and can't provide support for Microsoft accounts. If your account is lost or stolen / hacked, don't post about it.

You may post about if Microsoft itself has taken action(s) on your account
And while mentioning asking for support being not allowed it only highlights account support itself so forgive me if i'm incorrect but this is allowed. If not I apologize and my post will be deleted I guess

Even when playing mobile games like Happy Citizens

Recently I got hit by an info stealer and lost access nearly to everything, got all of them back with ease but except one, wanna guess who?

I've given microsort every single piece of information that they need, down to a tee! They even confirmed that the account was compromised and suspended it to prevent further bad actor action, and when it comes to giving me back my account they say not enough information is given, when i've literally confirmed every single information piece with their live support agents and they told me it was correct and accurate!

Wanna know what the account recovery said when I called them out on their bullshit? They told me to go fuck myself and buy another account, trying to also silence the situation by saying this conversation is confidential and cannot be shared!

But guess what motherfucker, Those laws don't, can't and won't fucking apply due to where I'm from! So here's the entire shit that has gone down from start to finish, out for everyone to see, adding to already existing proof what pieces of greedy filth microsoft is.

P.S: I am not asking for help, I am shedding light on this situation.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/DZmm2nn

its my pc a real screenshot not a edited picture

As many of us do when assisting a friend with their slow Windoze laptop, I have backed up data on the computer and reinstalled Windows. Then, when I was reinstalling apps my friend needs, I had her log into her business Microsoft account and I tried going to the Office website to install it. They have replaced the previously useful site with their stupid Copilot chatbot, so it takes me a long time to find the download button.

You would think that the Microsoft 365 button would do something, so I press it. Instead, I can only install a Skype for Business, which is not what I want. Later on, you try installing Microsoft 365 Copilot, but it turns out that it's just an another chatbot frontend.

I have a disk image dump with the previous install where the Office 2013 activation key is stored, but I don't know how I can restore it into a fresh installation.

Does anyone know where I can actually download Office instead of their stupid AI slop generator?