another key I can map to something useful in linux!
Either it will be become an important key (“Windows/Super”) or it won’t (Context menu). Microsoft is being eye-rollingly cringey with the specific keyboard requirement, but I assume there are probably about a million more concerning things about “AI PCs” than the keyboard button.
Also, mech keyboards for the win. Nobody is forcing keyboard nerds to do shit with their keycaps. 😂
Context menu is indispensable for me. So many commands can be done mouseless because of this.
Cool, another super key to map.
Here’s a tip that may come in handy. Microsoft makes an app called PowerToys that lets you remap keys without having to dink around in the registry: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/
I’ve used it to put CTRL on that useless capslock key like god intended.
Some keyboards also come with software that lets you disable or remap keys. I turned Caps Lock into something more useful to me, for instance.
Yeah for sure. I have my mechanical keyboard super customized with several layers.
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I just set up an HP Laptop for someone and Windows setup is horrendous. Fuck you Microsoft.
There’s no way around using a Microsoft account, but when you enter an invalid login, you can proceed setting up a local account anyway. Then all the shit is set up to my disliking. And of course, Microsoft installs its own services adware and additional third-party adware you can’t uninstall, and then, HP does the same, installing more scamware. Disgusting.
Use no@thankyou.com as the email anything as the password and it’ll let you setup a local account.
Dunno if this still works: when setup your local account, while NOT CONNECTED to the internet login and edit the Start Menu tiles. Delete any blank or empty ones. Those are for the ads!
This laptop has no way to disable wifi. I at least did not find anything - no such function key. And the Windows setup required you to connect to a wiki, with no way to proceed otherwise. Like, wtf?
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You can’t continue the setup process without connecting to a wifi network. There is no alternative in the UI.
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You open the command prompt during initial setup, change the oobe. It reboots, then no Microsoft account.
Just like my Google Assistant key on the side of my phone that literally does nothing after disabling Google Assistant.
Maybe add a Solopilot key too so I can use a local Windows account, and not have to uninstall adware or disable online-search when I search my PC.
As long as I can still find a halfway decent laptop to run Linux, I’m good.
I’m not surprised. Vendors do this for branded products all of the time.
