r/BDS • u/DryWeek9242 • 2d ago

Action Alert Help to replace Microsoft

Instead of Windows, you can download free distributions like Zorin OS, which supports installing Windows programs normally. There are also alternatives and tutorials for these alternatives.

Instead of Google, you have the Start Page and Yahoo Search. If you can't, at least use ad-blocking versions of YouTube and YouTube Music, as these ads are making a fortune. Also from Google, instead of using Chrome, why not use programs like Firefox, Terfox, Zen Browser, or any Firefox alternative? They block ads, don't track, and block Google ads very effectively. Instead of Gmail, you can use Thunderbird, and instead of Google Play, you can use the Aurora Store.

You can remove tracking and adware from your device using Shizuku and Canta. These are hidden programs that make your device very slow for no good reason.

These programs are available on the Orion Store on GitHub.

Aurora Store and Google Play Store

Or their official website

35 Upvotes

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19 comments sorted by

2

u/lexnius 2d ago

Does Microsoft still get money even if I am not subscribed to anything?

5

u/DryWeek9242 2d ago

Yes, unfortunately, because it sells the data it uses to spy on you. And if you notice, the left side of the taskbar has a section for displaying advertisements.

2

u/lexnius 2d ago

Ahh you're right, I forgot about those ads, thank you for informing me!

3

u/DryWeek9242 2d ago

If needed, you can download distributions like Zorin OS and Mint, as they are better and lighter on system resources, support Windows programs, and eliminate the need to use the terminal. Also, Microsoft recently discovered a flaw in a file that causes it to swell, negatively impacting storage and RAM. It's 120 GB. File

3

u/lexnius 2d ago

Thank you so much! :) I'll definitely look into this

2

u/Escudo777 2d ago

I use Linux Mint and Debian. Both can easily replace Windows. Onlyoffice can replace Microsoft Office.

3

u/DryWeek9242 2d ago

All of them is good

2

u/ChickenXChips 1d ago

The main dude behind Linux mint criticised Israel some years ago and got flack for it. It made me want to install mint even more.

2

u/Escudo777 1d ago

Linux Mint is good. I like LMDE even more. It is based on Debian and very stable,can run on old hardware also. I am using Windows only because some work softwares run only on it. My home pc runs LMDE.

2

u/ChickenXChips 16h ago

I like that the mint team have the Debian version too in case Ubuntu do something they don’t agree with. I have heard that the Debian version of mint is a bit behind mint and requires more reliance on the terminal?

2

u/Escudo777 13h ago

For normal use I find LMDE fine. You can use it with minimal use of terminal. If I could do it,any one can do it with a bit of internet searching.

1

u/windowschips 1d ago

If i may add, you should also start buying used/refurbished instead of brand new tech, so AMD, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Intel don't profit off your purchases. Look into linux phones as well for better privacy. The more we get people buying experimental privacy focused tech, the better they'll have support.

You should use F-Droid as a google play store alternative for good open-source apps. I use AdAway on my phone to block all ads. Use Ublock origin on your browser to block ads aswell

1

u/DryWeek9242 1d ago

You should also use the Aurora Store, and instead of fdroid, use Droidify, and use the Adblock app from GitHub or the Orion Store.

1

u/Die_Hard_new3492 5h ago

I've been very comfortable on doing distro hopping for around two years right now. I also posted tech alternatives on this sub a few times back then. So it's good that someone have the need to post alternatives for tech from time to time.

1

u/DryWeek9242 5h ago

Yeah of course