You can’t get rid of it, you can only hide it: Microsoft imposes controversial Windows Backup on users::Like it or not, the Windows Backup app installed in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is here to stay, with Microsoft calling it a “system component” that can’t be
Who cares? Windows has included a backup app of some sort since NT. The only way this is more than click bait would be if they were forcing you to use it.
It’s nothing like the old backup apps. They were useful this is more forced cloud spyware which at this point is the entire OS now
Does it automatically back things up, even if you don’t have a Microsoft account or turn it on? That wasn’t clear from the article. If it’s just a feature that a user can choose to use or not, how is it any different than anything else in Windows, or any other OS, that may or may not be used by the user?
Wow that’s where you draw the line? Exfiltration! Fuck me.
I draw the line at anticompetitive design and leverage system as an excuse with all this spyware is just more indicators from Microsoft that they can’t compete in an open market.
Linux is a real alternative now to Windows with proton kick some serious ass for gamers. There isn’t a whole lot missing now from the good distros now. It’s time to start showing enterprises just how good Linux is and how that bottom line improves vastly along with privacy without the risk of OS spyware AND rent charging.
You didn’t really answer the question on if it’s on by default or not. If it’s off by default, opt-in, and it’s clear what it’s doing… then it shouldn’t be stealing any data with inactive code just sitting there. And assuming they are blocking any 3rd party backup software, aggressively pushing their backup in the OS, or doing anything like they, I don’t see the anticompetitive argument.
Cool story.
To quote Nutella himself “Defaults are the only thing that matter”.
It’s optional as most things in Windows. Also if you do not use MS account where would backup be stored, how would you restore it? :)
Here are more reputable sources:
Have not used it myself, but I think most if not all of this was already available through Settings so it’s nothing new. LazyAdmin article seems to state the same.
So OP’s article is clickbait nonsense. Got it.
Maybe I should write an article titled, “Windows Has a ‘Registry’ of All the Details of Your System and They Won’t Let You Delete It,” then watch people go crazy complaining about the decades old Windows Registry.
(I guess you can delete the registry… but not if you want a functional system)
“Reputable.”
You mean sponsored.
No, meant reputable, because 1st one is MS article and those 2 others are blogs that I have read in the past and have not had much issues with their content (also I skimmed through them)
I mean, apart from…
Apart from the entire OS is spyware
https://www.techspot.com/news/97535-windows-11-spyware-machine-out-users-control.html#:~:text=Many of the Windows 11,or web browsing activity needed.
I have not used it nor have I seen prompts for it yet. But if it follows their usual pattern it’ll be very in-your-face about it and give every indication there is no choice but to use it which will be the same as required or forced for most users. It’s evil/deceitful practice in my opinion. I’m irritated every time Microsoft teams updates I have to disable and block it with Simple Wall firewall app.
It’s definitely not in your face. I’ve been using Windows 11 in some fashion ever since it was released, and I didn’t even know there was a backup app. I just ran it now to look at it, and it’s pretty tame. It syncs app installs from the Windows Store (which you don’t even need to use ever) and some settings like accessibility. I’ve long since removed OneDrive, which is what it looks as if the backup app uses to sync folders, so it’s disabled for me.
I’m not sure the backup app even does anything on it’s own, really. It seems like it’s just displaying some settings from other apps in a central location. 🤷♂️ This seems like a non story to me.
OneDrive integration in Windows reality pisses me off. I shouldn’t have to do so much modification to windows to get it to stop starting up. But then again I have some crazy bad luck when it comes to computers. I’ve worked in computers for almost 3 decades and no one reports having issues like I do. My colleagues admit that I may be cursed. Either way I think windows is pushing things a bit too much. No one should have to modify the registry or have to go through command line/powershell just to stop being nagged. The last few times I have gone into the task manager and disabled them on start up they get turned on again after Microsoft pushes an update hence why I’m using the simple wall firewall app. What is a non story for you just might not be for others. And that could be a simple thing like you being in a different update channel. I’m not sure but I think updates can also be affected by your location/geography data. Either way I don’t doubt I’m going to be shamed and told I’m a fool so…