Privacy

31998 readers

515 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn't great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
Don't promote proprietary software
Try to keep things on topic
If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
Be nice :)

Related communities

Chat rooms

[Matrix/Element]Dead
Discord

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

Advice on cleaning bloatware off of a new PC (www.bestbuy.com)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by Reverendender@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

42 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I helped my 77 year old mother purchase a new laptop, and I want to be sure to get all the bloatware off of it, and set her up with with some better privacy options. I am aMac guy at home so I haven't done this kind of thing for many years. (I use Windows at work, so I'm quite familiar and capable, but obviously I have to rely on IT knowing what they are doing (they don't)). I did make sure to get the pro version of Windows 11. I'm going to set her up with Proton mail I think. This is the computer that is coming:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-thinkbook-16-g6-abp-amd-in-16-touch-screen-notebook-amd-ryzen-5-with-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-gray/6565272.p?skuId=6565272

(Forgive me if this is not the correct place to post)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] DetectiveSanity@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (2 children)

To begin with you would need to configure the machine to the desktop disabling all what can be disabled.

Then I'd check something from here and remove only what can be deemed safe.

Having somewhat answered the main query if mom does not do anything that makes windows a necessity I'd highly suggest installing something like this and set yourself up for unattended remote control so you can assist if seen necessary.

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I like the remote control idea! She does do WordPress, not sure which interface.

[–] ebits21@lemmy.ca 2 points 8 months ago

Could put rustdesk on it.

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee -4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Linux is an awful answer. See my other comment as to why.

[–] DetectiveSanity@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

I will agree with you it's not the one stop solution but I recommend it due to having triaged it on my own.

Yes they gave me the mandatory eye roll and sighs as to why I installed Linux but aren't bothered with updates, ads, malware, tracking and whatnot. They want to watch a movie or do some work it just works and doesn't bog them.

Also I emphasise that I can't recommend it for CAD/Graphic/Professional workflows that are tailored for windows sadly.