Microsh1t has been interfering with my PC AGAIN!

[See_Mos]

Last night's W11 update 21.07.2025 removed everything connected to the old Freecell that I have been using for years, even under W11.

It allowed me to install the new games centre complete with advertising but I wanted the old version.  A search of my computer showed that the .exe and shortcut had been removed altogether including backup copies held in my own folders.  I reinstated a copy from a backup but Microsh1t would not allow me to run it so I had to revert before the update then create a new shortcut to the .exe

I have now disabled automatic updates altogether. 

[trastikata]

Here's another strange one that I've encountered some time ago ...

My Firefox browser didn't work properly and I wanted to refresh it but forgot how to do it. So I opened Micro$it Edge using MS BING, and started typing "How to refresh Firefox" but immediately after "How to", BING threw some search suggestions ... I was shocked when I saw what BING suggested after my "How to" .... I have to say Micro$it outdid it in trying to push some social agenda.

[See_Mos]

Yes, I remember reading about the above elsewhere.

Goodness knows what else these updates install to spy on us.  Every update slows the boot process.

And another thing, I don't have Facebook installed on my PC so why if I search for something on the internet using my PC do advertisements for the product or company start to appear in Facebook on my I-pad?

[John Lawton]

Cookies, yum.

John

[charliecoutas]

I once chatted to a pal, in a cafe, my iPhone in my pocket, about beds. Lynda and I were looking for a bed that didn't feel like a trampoline. Ta-da, when I got home and searched for something on my laptop, adverts for beds came up. Must be a coincidence, surely?

[CPR]

Exactly the same experience here if you have either a Google Home or Alexa device. (I have both) On one side generally I'd prefer targeted ads - as at least they're something I may be interested in? - on the flip side - it's very creepy being quietly spied on like this.... the only real solution I can think of these days is to entirely disconnect yourself from the internet and mobile phones. Not really practical unfortunately...

[John Lawton]

But there are ad blockers so you don't have to see the ads even if you don't stop the data gathering.

John

[Fanie]

I have now disabled automatic updates altogether. 

Does not help, even with updates disabled, it does so anyway.
I had the start menu cleared a few times already, and even shortcuts on Firefox replaced with other rubbish.

Unstable Windows 11
Does poor memory management, some programs need to restart.
The following happens sporadic and frequently -
Opens sidebar even though set off in Firefox browser.
Randomly refresh the current browser page, and in Youtube the same annoying adverts start over and over, playing video's are played and paused.  Currently I cannot watch any Youtube video's except in preview, and all comments on Youtube is removed
Adjust volume control to 0
Repeated opens Thunderbird e-mail even when closed
Deletes text typed in browser (forum) and refresh page
"New Outlook" is a virus.  Can only be deleted in the registry.
Opens two of the same app (calculator)
Sporadic disables keyboard
Stop and start displays randomly.

I'm sure everything one does and communicate is reported somewhere.  If any topic is mentioned, you are immediately flooded with adverts on that and my one friend said it happens even after a phone call.

I had the PC checked by a specialist and they said there is nothing from external but suggested I switch to another system than windows.

[flosigud]

My Win 11 computer behaves better after I uninstalled Edge and, sidebar and the constant nagging. This is an improvement but not perfect. I also Have Win 10 computer. Microsoft has been busy spoiling that with constant downgrades, making it more like Win 11. It Bluescreens occasionally. Maybe Wine is a solution.

@ Fanie. Start and stop of the computer is not random. It happens when Microsoft accesses your computer. I make it a habit to turn the computer off when that happens. I also have the habit of complaining constantly. I'm not the only one and it has an effect. They brought back the calendar they removed to make us buy Outlook.

[John Lawton]

I'm still using Windows 7, it works fine and the Start menus are far saner than Win 8/10/11, IMHO. Windows Defender still updates regularly.

John

[flosigud]

Windows Defender still works. It is in my opinion the best virus checker. The only Microsoft product that I have no reservations about.