> make sure not to sign into your Microsoft account or link it to Windows again

That's not so easy. Microsoft tries really hard to get you to use a Microsoft account. For example, logging into MS Teams will automatically link your local account with the Microsoft account, thus starting the automatic upload of all kinds of stuff unrelated to MS Teams.

In the past I also had Edge importing Firefox data (including stored passwords) without me agreeing to do so, and then uploading those into the Cloud.

Nowadays you just need to assume that all data on Windows computers is available to Microsoft; even if you temporarily find a way to keep your data out of their hands, an update will certainly change that.

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xp84 an hour ago | parent | next [-]

Do we have confirmation that it’s a must to upload the key if you use an MS account with Windows? Is it prove that its not possible to configure Windows to have an MS account linked, maybe even to use OneDrive, while not uploading the BitLocker key?

Btw - my definition of “possible” would include anything possible in the UI - but if you have to edit the registry or do shenanigans in the filesystem to disable the upload from happening, I would admit that it’s basically mandatory.

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theLiminator an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Yes, they push the MS account stuff very hard. I've found Windows so actively hostile to the user that I basically only use Linux now.

I used to be a windows user, it has really devolved to the point where it's easier for me to use Linux (though I'm technical). I really feel for the people who aren't technical and are forced to endure the crap that windows pushes on users now.

	▲	J_Shelby_J 18 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		> actively hostile That’s the real problem MS has. It’s becoming a meme how bad the relationship between the user and windows is. It’s going to cause generational damage to their company just so they can put ads in the start menu.

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replyifuagree 14 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> logging into MS Teams

I mean, this is one application nobody should ever log into!

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LtdJorge 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Teams inside a VM it is, then.

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ssl-3 an hour ago | parent | next [-]

Or: Put all of Windows inside of a VM, within a host that uses disk encryption -- and let it run amok inside of its sandbox.

I did this myself for about 8 years, from 2016-2024. During that time my desktop system at home was running Linux with ZFS and libvirt, with Windows in a VM. That Windows VM was my usual day-to-day interface for the entire system. It was rocky at first, but things did get substantially better as time moved on. I'll do it again if I have a compelling reason to.

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dvfjsdhgfv 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It's not just Teams. You need to be constantly vigilant not to make any change that would let them link your MS account to Windows. And they make it more and more difficult not only to install but also use Windows without a Microsoft account. I think they'll also enforce it on everybody eventually.

	▲	prmoustache an hour ago \| parent [-]
		You need to just stop using windows and that's it. The only windows I am using is the one my company makes me use but I don't do anything personal on it. I have my personal computer next to it in my office running on linux.