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I've installed Windows many times
For quite some time now, I've been known as the "tech guy". I'm also very keen on refreshing old devices, specifically to be able to use them longer. This led me to take care of quite a few laptops for my family and friends.
Indeed, a lot of the computers sold in the 2010s are still very capable: the main things holding them back are their original mechanical hard drive1 and sometimes a bit of dust. Simple solution: we swap the hard drive for a new generation SSD, a bit of a clean up and the computer is as good as new, even better than new2!
Lately, I could delay the inevitable acquisition of a new laptop for a lot of friends and thus prevent for as many laptops to end up as electronic waste in a landfill in Ghana… Excellent!
There is a downside however: replacing a hard drive means installing the Windows operating system anew.
Microsoft's strategy
Let's say that I install Windows on your laptop. By doing so I don't have the feeling that I'm doing you a favor, neither on the short term, nor on the long term.
Indeed, Windows is a corner stone of Microsoft's business model, whose objectives are sadly not aligned with your interests as a user.
Here are to my understanding the goals, the means to these goals and the repercussions of Microsoft's strategy.
Its goals
The main goal is to make Microsoft's products as universal and essential as possible in order to insure that you will continue living in their ecosystem of (possibly paid) services and products. This way, by being exclusively exposed to their offers (OneDrive, Office, etc…), Microsoft makes sure that all of the software-related money that you will spend will go towards them.
Moreover, this allows Microsoft to study3 your behaviour and your data in order to serve you personalized ads and to train the artificial intelligence of their new services4.
This doesn't come as a surprise: the end is profits.
Its means
For this, the strategy is two-folds: first they bait you into their ecosystem of free and useful products (no, Windows itself is not free! 5). Then, and this is what will impact your daily experience the most: you will have to deal with a deluge of disingenuous tricks called dark patterns that are here to manipulate you into staying in that ecosystem.
Some examples:
The repercussions
The result is a product upon which you have little control (e.g. Windows updates) and which is very troublesome to use. You need to constantly repel their attempts to influence you by repeatedly closing annoying windows and to navigate through an interface that's full of tricks.
Moreover, by letting yourself live in the Microsoft ecosystem (or in any other closed ecosystem for that matter), you become more dependent: you are forced to use a set of software programs and devices, which deprives you of your choices and possibilities. And the entire thing is of course potentially more costly.
So what?
I will gladly help you with your computer and swap its hard drive, but I won't install Windows on it. You will need to find someone else for this or to learn about alternatives9.
Obviously I won't turn the tide on my own, but I wish not to promote dishonest and deceitful practices. I am not fundamentally against making profits, but in my view, this has to happen in the context of a sincere and respectful relationship with the users and customers.
I know in advance that I will be sad not being able to help you, should you be wanting to reinstall Windows on your old laptop, but since Windows is more often than not part of the reasons why your computer needs to be refreshed in the first place, I think that we are taking care of the root of the problem this way.
And also, if we can reduce your dependence on an American megacorp, I consider that to be a win in itself.
Footnotes:
The ones with rotating platters and sliding heads!
This is always baffling to me to see the speed gain that a SSD can get you.
spy on would be also adequate.
Github copilot could be one example.
It is always included in the price you pay for a new computer, without having the freedom of opting out (which is actually product tying).
I know that the other available options (mainly MacOS and Linux) are not exempt from issues either!