How to upgrade to Windows 11 - most privacy, freedom and efficiency

Go to linuxmint.com
Download
Write to usb with rufus
Reboot using the usb
Install
Done
- Wow windows never looked so good!
  
  🚀 😄
  
  True. Windows 10 is atrocious. I have to say, a debloated Win11 feels almost too good.
  So, lets focus on making Linux distros shiny and easy to use!
- I'd just replace Rufus with Ventoy. 😉
  Best concept for a piece of software I've discovered after being a happy Rufus user for years. 🙂
  
  Ventoy is so goated, I used Rufus then Balena for ages, then YUMI, and finally Ventoy. I've got a 128gb tiny USB attached to my phone case with every OS and utility I could need with over 80gb still free for file storage. Being able to download an iso and copy it with no software is huge, like in an emergency I could download an ISO on my phone if needed
  
  Guys can you please read the post before writing random nonsense.
  This is for people NEEDING windows only software
  Ventoy is useless for the things I want to achieve. Rufus allows to change a bunch of things with a single click, like offline account, cloud, telemitry, bitlocker
- I'm one of those morons that really hates himself so is running systems that are highly optimized (hardened, custom kernels, no systemd) and all I can say, yes, mint cheff's kiss
  
  Exactly. I used to play with installing different Linux distros all the time, just to see what was available. And when you use Linux Mint, your computer just fucking works. You install the damn thing, and then you just use it, and use it, and use it until the fucking wheels fall off.
  
  Hardened Gentoo?
- I know you think you’re being clever. But what you really are is arrogant. Telling someone the answer to their problem is to do as you do, instead of helping them with their issue.
  
  I refuse to help people with installing any versions of windows out of ethical reasons, just like some tattooist refuse to tattoo people in the face or give them similarly stupid tattoos.
  Yes, I'm arrogant enough to think I know better than those who haven't considered the issue at all.
- You obviously didnt read the post
  
  Why exactly would I waste my time reading about how to upgrade to Windows 11?
  Edit: It was tongue and cheek. And apparently, all the upvotes got it. Well, you're the only one who said anything about it.
  
  You obviously didn't format it.

Er, your instructions don’t kill all the telemetry that makes Win11 so privacy invasive.
Unfortunately, your comments about security are spot-on — there have been a number of improvements in the latest Win11 releases that were never added to Win10.
So while Win10 can be tweaked to be a relatively private OS, you need to update to the latest Win11 for security, or switch to a non-Microsoft OS.
- Mind to tell me what is missing then? NextDNS or Portmaster could be used, but they add more complexity. And as said, Windows should not be considered a safe OS so hardening it is kinda useless
  
  That’s the point. Windows 11 cannot be made to be a private OS. So you have to adjust your privacy model instead if you want to use it.
  
  Every OS nowadays need a good DNS server and better DNScrypt above. An app to control the traffic, like Portmaster or Pi-Hole is also recommended, irrelevant in which OS. Most activity of everyone is online and there is important to protect the privacy, because there is the biggest privacy hole, not in the OS but PEBCAC

you misspelled /c/funny

The best solution for privacy is to not use windows, seems like a good guide but even with all these modifications I would throw the computer in the dumpster and set it on fire before using it in any privacy sensitive or mission critical applications.
Linux runs fine these days, and with NTSync in the kernel and the work done on WINE and proton there really isn't a need to use an operating system that abuses you and sells your data for profit.
- This is for people needing MSOffice, Adobe, AutoCAD and whatelse. This does not run in WINE, on purpose.
  Just stop. Your comment does not help anyone.
  
  Oh, works on my machine. Oh well.

How do you want to read this Brick above without bleeding eyes?
Andi Summary:
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 While Maintaining Privacy and Control
Before You Start
Back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage
Verify system compatibility using Microsoft's PC Health Check app
Disable third-party antivirus software temporarily to prevent installation conflicts
Most Efficient Method
Download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft's website
Mount the ISO by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"
Run setup.exe as administrator from the mounted drive
During installation, select "Keep personal files and apps" for fastest transition
Privacy-Focused Settings
During initial setup, decline optional data collection and analytics
Skip the "complete installation" prompts for Edge browser and OneDrive backup
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security after installation to disable unwanted tracking features
Maintain Control
Move the Start menu back to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
Restore classic context menus and file explorer views for better efficiency
Set up default apps through Settings > Apps > Default apps to avoid Microsoft's preferred applications
Recovery Options
Within 10 days of upgrading, you can roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery
Keep your Windows 10 backup for 30 days until you're comfortable with Windows 11
Sources:
PCWorld - How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
Prajwal Desai - Best Guide to Upgrade to Windows 11
PCWorld - How to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11
_________________________________________________________________________________________________--
I'll add also WindHawk, which is imperative in W11
- Meh. Pretty useless IMHO. There are plenty of tricks to apply after this basic stuff and even then, they will try to insert new telemetry on every small update. It's now worth the fight. Try to switch to Linux mint and have a dual boot for relevant software like Adobe.
  
  Yes, dual boot is an option, but for certain things user need to use Windows. But you can make Windows a valid, fast and private OS, not so easy but possible. Telemetries re a minor problem and easy to avoid not needed. My W11 instalation has less than 1 GB and there is nothing working in the background which I don't want. Certainly I don't use any of the default Windows apps, nor the infame powersHell. Only the Defender and security updates.
- Uhm this is a link. Click on it.

Hahaha! Please someone. Help the poor darling.
He's exactly a week early.
- To be fair, a bunch of old scientific closed sourced applications run only on WinXP or 7. Maybe it's aimed at those people. But I don't know any that require 10 or 11 that don't have alternatives...
  
  Then they need a VM with Win7, not to install that piece of parasitic garbage as a host OS.
  Remind me of the community name/métier again, please?

Lemmy users try not to be insufferable when Windows is mentioned (Challenge) (Impossible)
- The currently largest single source of ewaste in the world should be criticized at every turn.
  
  To be fair, while Microsoft is absolutely vile for such restrictions, I think people overestimate how many people would switch computers just to get Windows 11. It's probably a concern for big corporations indeed, but regular users? I don't think so. Most people don't see anything wrong with staying on an OS that doesn't receive updates. A lot of them already do so - on their phones, because the support is so short! I am now in the process of switching my father to Linux, and it's genuinely hard to explain him why he has to get used to a different OS: his reaction to "But Windows 10 would no longer receive security updates!" is "So what?". Windows 7 probably would've still had a high market share if 10 had a similar system requirements change.
- I mean, this is about privacy, is it not? It's pretty well-known by now that Windows mines your data.
  
  It's either private or it's Windows.
  
  It is clearly mentioned that
  A huge amount of people use Windows 10 or older. Being a privacy elietist does not change that
  This is for people needing windows software
  The result is fine but still not private, simply a more reasonable OS

lol wtf