What is the ONE change you'll bring to Windows?

TheMystic · Mar 15, 2022

If you were to head the Windows team at Microsoft, what would be the one change that you'll bring about to Windows?

If I were to head the team (be it at Microsoft, Google, Apple or other operating system), the one change that I'll bring to every operating system is user control over network access.

The existing configurations are extremely limited and largely useless from a security and privacy perspective. While a handful of 3rd party solutions are available (e.g. TinyWall for Windows, AFWall+/ Netguard/ Karma for Android, etc.), they by themselves are a concern too as you are now handing over an important aspect of your privacy to a 3rd party.

I would create an extremely simple way to control how apps are allowed to access network, including fine control over full access to internet, access to local network only, block complete access to the network, etc.

What would be the one thing that is most important change you would like to see in Windows?

cereberus · Mar 15, 2022

TheMystic said:
If you were to head the Windows team at Microsoft, what would be the one change that you'll bring about to Windows?

If I were to head the team (be it at Microsoft, Google, Apple or other operating system), the one change that I'll bring to every operating system is user control over network access.

The existing configurations are extremely limited and largely useless from a security and privacy perspective. While a handful of 3rd party solutions are available (e.g. TinyWall for Windows, AFWall+/ Netguard/ Karma for Android, etc.), they by themselves are a concern too as you are now handing over an important aspect of your privacy to a 3rd party.

I would create an extremely simple way to control how apps are allowed to access network, including fine control over full access to internet, access to local network only, block complete access to the network, etc.

View attachment 24354

What would be the one thing that is most important change you would like to see in Windows?

Boring - another thinly disguised question so you can keep up your security rhetoric!

jimbo45 · Mar 15, 2022

Decent File explorer with ability to display long path/directory/fie names -- with some large TB HDD's and large multi media sets spanning several TB the ability to have names > 266 Chars seems n obvious one to me. Internally Windows can do it but most apps still use the old API for file browse and that has the old limitation.

I agree about "boring security" --it's good enough now on Windows -- You really need to make a supreme effort to get hacked these days if you just run basic WD. Getting scammed is about TWO MILLION PERCENT more likely.

Cheers
jimbo

TheMystic · Mar 15, 2022

jimbo45 said:
You really need to make a supreme effort to get hacked these days if you just run basic WD.

Getting hacked is just one part of the much larger problem concerning security and privacy, the two being different from each other, even if closely related.

jimbo45 said:
Getting scammed is about TWO MILLION PERCENT more likely.

How does one get scammed? Scam is not always a general one. It can be a targeted one too, and it's not just the rich and famous who are a target. Even vulnerable, unsuspecting common user with limited means can also be a target. How does one become a target? By using systems without getting concerned about the privacy and security aspects.

jimbo45 · Mar 15, 2022

TheMystic said:
Getting hacked is just one part of the much larger problem concerning security and privacy, the two being different from each other, even if closely related.

How does one get scammed? Scam is not always a general one. It can be a targeted one too, and it's not just the rich and famous who are a target. Even vulnerable, unsuspecting common user with limited means can also be a target. How does one become a target? By using systems without getting concerned about the privacy and security aspects.

Easy scams are typically say you are buying a property --solicitor / lawyer's letter says our new bank acount is xxxx instead of yyyy, other typical ones --- fake email from service, company etc which looks almost indistinguishable from the real one --- we're updating our security --please logon to "your account" -- email then goes to the fake website. Others include "Tax refunds" and any amount of other things - A/V software cannot deal with those. Other identity theft comes from cloned credit cards, people giving out too much information on social media / instagram etc.
There's probably more scams around than there are grains of sand on all the beaches of the planet.

Cheers
jimbo

wimorrison · Mar 15, 2022

TheMystic said:
How does one get scammed? Scam is not always a general one. It can be a targeted one too, and it's not just the rich and famous who are a target. Even vulnerable, unsuspecting common user with limited means can also be a target. How does one become a target? By using systems without getting concerned about the privacy and security aspects.

Scams have happened since man learned to speak and will continue to happen as long as human being exist on the planet, in fact they will probably continue with whatever lifeform succeeds our presence.

The only way to prevent scams is not to interact with anyone or any company. The internet, computers and email are only the latest means of delivering scams and education is the only way to prevent them by sorting the root cause of the issue - gullible people.

TheMystic · Mar 15, 2022

jimbo45 said:
Easy scams are typically say you are buying a property --solicitor / lawyer's letter says our new bank acount is xxxx instead of yyyy, other typical ones --- fake email from service, company etc which looks almost indistinguishable from the real one --- we're updating our security --please logon to "your account" -- email then goes to the fake website. Others include "Tax refunds" and any amount of other things - A/V software cannot deal with those. Other identity theft comes from cloned credit cards, people giving out too much information on social media / instagram etc.
There's probably more scams around than there are grains of sand on all the beaches of the planet.

Cheers
jimbo

That’s why I configure all my browsers with the strictest setting, along with use of the technique called Browser Compartmentalization.

I also use an ad blocker (or Adblock DNS) on all my devices to minimise data tracking and collection.

This method itself is questionable because I am now allowing a 3rd party to route all traffic through their servers, basically giving one entity full access as opposed to splitting them among hundreds of entities. That carries a risk of its own and probably a much bigger one, but at the moment it gives a great usage experience. Only time will tell what the implications are.

wimorrison said:
Scams have happened since man learned to speak and will continue to happen as long as human being exist on the planet, in fact they will probably continue with whatever lifeform succeeds our presence.

The only way to prevent scams is not to interact with anyone or any company. The internet, computers and email are only the latest means of delivering scams and education is the only way to prevent them by sorting the root cause of the issue - gullible people.

As far as using gadgets and devices are concerned, the key to remain in safe is to control internet access of apps. Because all sorts of information transfer happens only over the internet. That explains why I have tens of posts on the same subject, and yet most users (of this forum and elsewhere) appear to underplay its importance and therefore unconcerned about it. Sad.

Ghot · Mar 15, 2022

The one change I would bring to Windows 11,
is that every time I got a BSOD, it would automatically order me a delivered pizza,
that Microsoft would pay for. :)

TheMystic · Mar 15, 2022

Ghot said:
The one change I would bring to Windows 11,
is that every time I got a BSOD, it would automatically order me a delivered pizza,
that Microsoft would pay for. :)

I won’t blame Microsoft for BSODs. In all fairness, it is 3rd party drivers and software that cause 99% of BSODs. I have never experienced it, at least in the last 10 years.

That is the problem with providing flexibility to users. They install all sorts of crap and hammer the machine in ways it wasn’t designed to run. This is also why Apple devices usually do not have such problems because there is little to none in terms of flexibility.

If you prefer flexibility, then be careful with what you install and how you use your system.

Ghot · Mar 15, 2022

TheMystic said:
I won’t blame Microsoft for BSODs. In all fairness, it is 3rd party drivers and software that cause 99% of BSODs. I have never experienced it, at least in the last 10 years.

That is the problem with providing flexibility to users. They install all sorts of crap and hammer the machine in ways it wasn’t designed to run. This is also why Apple devices usually do not have such problems because there is little to none in terms of flexibility.

If you prefer flexibility, then be careful with what you install and how you use your system.

It was a joke.

johnlgalt · Mar 15, 2022

If I had one change over any other I could prioritize?

Get rid of every single, stinking advertisement, even those "Oh, are you trying to open a file? Did you know that you can ...." and throw all of that rubbish into a 'tutorial' app that the user can open when they want to - or not.

I've used Windows based systems for the better part of 30 $#W%^&#$%$%^#$%^#$%^ years, I don't need to be told / advised / suggested on what I can do. And neither do I need distractions that look suspiciously like malicious drive-by advertising that we're constantly admonished to avoid when online.

I mean, really, Microsoft - get a @#%^@$%^ clue!

FrancoDT · Mar 15, 2022

Explorer Tabs

hdmi · Mar 16, 2022

a Fetch my slippers button

TheMystic · Mar 16, 2022

hdmi said:
a Fetch my slippers button

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reidalow · Mar 16, 2022

Build in Netlimiter 4

The-Hive · Mar 16, 2022

The ability in settings to choose which Win 10 items you want to use for Win 11 as the main changes are under the hood, the rest just make it more practical for the way people work, for example some people like the new explorer, some prefer the old. some people like the new context menu and some don't, the same applies to the taskbar and start menu. It is not just a matter of not liking change, it is about what works best for the individual and the way they work and use their machines..

TheMystic · Mar 16, 2022

The-Hive said:
The ability in settings to choose which Win 10 items you want to use for Win 11 as the main changes are under the hood, the rest just make it more practical for the way people work, for example some people like the new explorer, some prefer the old. some people like the new context menu and some don't, the same applies to the taskbar and start menu. It is not just a matter of not liking change, it is about what works best for the individual and the way they work and use their machines..

While customisations are always welcome, makers like to maintain a uniform experience throughout for all the users. Plus, more the customizability, more is the chance of breaking something, and therefore more work for the makers keep the system running efficiently. This is something they want to avoid, and to a good extent, I too am in favor of a uniform experience.

The-Hive · Mar 16, 2022

@TheMystic I like to make my machines workable and some of the new win11 features slow me down

TheMystic · Mar 16, 2022

The-Hive said:
@TheMystic I like to make my machines workable and some of the new win11 features slow me down

Can you list those?

The-Hive · Mar 16, 2022

Context menu I need more options to get to what I use a lot
Taskbar can't pin and access things well, no decent clock either
Folders don't show contents so takes longer to find the folder I want
Explorer No ribbon