Microsoft's single-mindedness showing in Win11's design really makes me laugh

[mikeymikec]

Windows 11 setup by default doesn't allow users to continue proceeding through the setup stage without an Internet connection. I find this fact a tad mind-boggling because what if a user doesn't have an Internet connection, or what about when Windows doesn't yet have the networking drivers to deal with newer hardware, why on earth didn't Microsoft just give a graphical option of proceeding through setup without the Internet connection.

As people here are likely aware, Shift+F10 during setup gives a command prompt, and oobe\bypassnro restarts setup in a mode that does provide a graphical option to continue setup without an Internet connection, but here's the bit in that mode that makes me laugh:

Heading: "Let's connect you to a network"
There's an option labelled "I don't have Internet"
When you click on this option, the next page says:
Heading: "Connect now to quickly get started on your device"
Option: "Continue with limited setup"

The fact that they're so insistent even after the user has invoked a hidden command prompt, run an in-built script to get what they want, and then clicked on the option that explicitly says what they want, Microsoft is still trying to steer the user away from what they want.

It reminds me of the neurotic lift in The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy:

ELEVATOR:
I am to be your elevator for this trip to the floor of your choice. I have been designed by the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation to take you, the visitor to ’The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, into these, their offices. If you enjoy your ride, which will be swift and pleasurable, then you may care to experience some of the other elevators which have recently been installed. In the offices of the Galactic Tax Department, Boobiloo Baby Foods, and the Sirian state mental hospital, where many ex-Sirius Cybernetics Corporation executives will be delighted to welcome your visits, sympathy, and happy tales of life out in the big wide world.

ZAPHOD:
Yeah, what else do you do besides talk?

ELEVATOR:
I go up or down.

ZAPHOD:
Good, we’re going up.

ELEVATOR:
Or down.

ZAPHOD:
Yeah, yeah okay. Up please.

ELEVATOR:
Down’s very nice.

ZAPHOD:
oh yeah?

ELEVATOR:
Super.

ZAPHOD:
Good. Now will you take us up?

ELEVATOR:
May I ask if you’ve considered all the possibilities that down might offer you?

ZAPHOD:
Like what?

ELEVATOR:
Well, uh, There’s the basement, uh, the microfiles, um, the heating system…nothing particularly exciting I’ll admit, but they are alternative possibilities.

ZAPHOD:
Oh, Zarquon’s knees! Did I ask for an existential elevator?! What’s the matter with the thing?

MARVIN:
It doesn’t want to go up. I think it’s afraid.

ZAPHOD:
Of what? Heights? An elevator that’s afraid of heights?

ELEVATOR:
Of the future.

ZAPHOD:
The future? What does it want a pension scheme?

ELEVATOR:
All Sirius Cybernetics Elevators can see into the future; it’s part of our programming. Going down.

 

[crashtech]

Man, you nailed it, Windows and that elevator would be fast friends!

 

[pmv]

Oh Lord.

Already resigned myself to buying a whole new PC before Win 10 goes EOS (as the current one 'can't support' Win 11). Now I'm already starting to dread the ever-increasing MS control-freakery that will doubtless just get even worse with the next iteration. Whole new battles to be fought to wrest control back over my own desktop. What joy.

Funny really, all the more-recent Facebook, Twitter/X, Google shenannigans had made me forget about MS's evil behaviour.

 

[mikeymikec]

@pmv

If you're thinking of running Win11, I'd get into the spirit of kicking Windows until it does as it's told and force-install it on your current setup.

 

[crashtech]

We could ask MS how much we'd have to pay to be left the hell alone, but I imagine the answer would be "you don't have enough money."

 

[mindless1]

^ The answer would disregard the question and state "Where do you want to go today? lolololololol ".

 

[crashtech]

Seriously, they are probably missing an opportunity to sell "Windows Secluded" at a premium price. How much would you pay to be left alone?

 

[mikeymikec]

Seriously, they are probably missing an opportunity to sell "Windows Secluded" at a a premium price. How much would you pay to be left alone?

I'd be curious to know how Windows LTSC differs from other editions in this sort of respect.

 

[crashtech]

Interesting question, although I didn't think LTSC was officially released for individual use.

 

[mikeymikec]

Interesting question, although I didn't think LTSC was officially released for individual use.

AFAIK it's not. Licensing is also probably tricky.