• wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    56·
    7 days ago

    Windows and Office are incredibly easy to generate an activation key for using MASgrave. As I understand it, it tricks MS into giving you a valid Windows key, but the Office side does some trickery to fake activation.

    Either way, very easy and no need to install shady cracked versions. Just install like normal then use MASgrave after.

    If you want to go more legit for any reason, you can find OEM key resellers for Windows (and for Office too I think). OEM Windows keys are only good for one install, but they’re also only around $30.

    There’s also a ton of benefits to installing Windows yourself instead of using the manufacturer’s version with even more added bloatware from the manufacturer. There’s a lot you can do to roll back Microsoft’s bullshit through customizing the installer ISO yourself. Unfortunately it’s pretty technical though. Not something easily explained in a single comment.

    As a note to myself: When I get around to upgrading to Windows 11, record all the shit I do so there’s at least something vaguely reputable for the community instead of bits of good info across tons of otherwise crap SEO spam articles. Remember to cite the sources too.

    • theshatterstone54@feddit.ukEnglish
      25·
      7 days ago

      Here’s my advice for Installing Windows:

      1. When getting an ISO from M$, select “English International” even if you’re in the US, to avoid a lot of bloatware.

      2. Use Chris Titus’ Winutil. It’s open source and really easy to use.

    • Scubus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      7·
      7 days ago

      Unless they patched it, you can just use the installer and not put in an activation key at all. The only downside is that it will have a mostly transparent text in the bottom right hand corner telling you to activate windows. Otherwise its completely free, and not piracy as its the official installer.

    • stinky@redlemmy.comEnglish
      5·
      7 days ago

      please tell me more

      i don’t want the products

      i just want PIRACY

      do you know any programs for writing music

      • VeganCheesecakeEnglish
        7·
        6 days ago

        That heavily depends on what you mean by writing music. Musescore (the software, not the website) is pretty good for writing notation, and open source.

        If it’s more about producing a track, there’s Ardour, also foss. If you wanna pirate an “industry standard” daw, there’s FL Studio and Ableton, I guess.

        Depending on what you want to do exactly, there might be a lot of other software that fits the bill.

  • shirro@aussie.zoneEnglish
    8·
    5 days ago

    The only software I have paid for in the last couple of years are games. The licensing is still crooked but they are ephemeral entertainment so its not like they control your life.

    The problem with commercial software isn’t the price. It is the lock in. They have you by the balls whether you pirate or pay so I don’t pirate as it doesn’t address my main issue with closed source software which ismt price but control. I prefer to adapt, sometimes live with less features and use free and open source.

    Its hard if you have to work with others which is the whole network effect BS, everyone is on Reddit and shitter so why aren’t you. If you can work independently though you can get a lot done and have more control.

    • smb@lemmy.mlEnglish
      12·
      7 days ago

      windows is an upselling system, guess they just want to participate in generating revenue by making customers experience worse while only acting as if they’re helping ;-)

        • Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          2·
          6 days ago

          I recently had to help a client move e-mails between two accounts and thunderbird out-timed multiple times. After finding out that not our firewall or the account is the issue (two gmail accounts) I looked and found some report on the mozilla forum about the issue. The workaround was to copy it first locally and then move a certain amount of emails manually.
          Also I prefer the UI over current Thunderbird but I think this design could win me over:

          But it seemingly needs to be configured manually to achieve that look reddit link?
          Not really in the mood for trying that out.
          I also need to mention I make heavy use of my personal domain and have several email accounts. It’s already a pain to manage them on the phone but sadly even there the option is gmail or outlook. Didnt look too much into alternatives but I am cagey about others having access to my SMTP password.
          Yes, I heard that Microsoft attempted to hijack the (new) Mail app on Windows11 to MS news but I (hope) that they don’t do that with their Outlook Android/Windows version and only with their native Win11 client

            • Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
              1·
              5 days ago

              Last time I saw it installed it looked like the classic UI.
              Maybe time to look at it again.

              Do you know if and how well inbox rules in thunderbird work?

        • cowboycrustation [he/him]English
          2·
          6 days ago

          I don’t use outlook anymore but I do use Thunderbird and the UI is janky and outdated, plus it has to download and catch up on messages every time you open it.

        • Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          1·
          6 days ago

          You are entitled to your own opinion but so am I.
          This opinion is purely from a usability standpoint. I like the office suite and prefer the editing and menu over open/libre office.
          And I say this as someone that created letter templates for clients.
          Creating forms is way easier on Writer though. Very good (free) way to create forms!

      • nesc@lemmy.cafeEnglish
        3·
        6 days ago

        That’s not the only email clients in existence, surely there are other ones that better? How many people even use desktop email client anymore?