After 10 Yrs of Linux, I Switched to Windows. What next?

The most secure is a standard baseline install of Windows with updates and the CIS scripts run on the os, if you are truly worried about security, that will leave you with 3 medium security vulnerabilities and 2 low, 2 of which are TLS issues, and running nartac only removes 1, and the other is an RPC issue which is an inherent windows issue only resolved by mitigation, but when running a scan you allow the scanner access to everything, so it can only be hidden for 3 months at a time, and ms don’t seem to be intending on fixing it any time soon as the vulnerability has been around for awhile now DCE/RPC and MSRPC service enumeration. It allows unauthenticated os and hardware disclosure. But if some one is able to read that, you have bigger issues to worry about.

But you then have to live with super nanny mode and opening any program results in an admin pop up. The above is as tested this week, so pretty certain it should be pretty accurate.

Good luck! (sincerely)

I’m keenly interested about details and your experiences with WSL. How it handles your Kali install (I assume) especially. I’m also especially interested in how well the linux (WSL) file system plays with the Windows file system. Around 5 years ago or so, I made a serious WSL effort, and left extremely disappointed: the basic file system access was there, but permission quirks made it impossible (for me) to get work done.

A while back Ben posted some great comments on his PiKVM setup and it’s performance running a remote linux machine. I was so excited I purchased one, but I got sidetracked, and I can’t tell you how it worked out. :frowning: You might check out Ben’s comments from a half year ago or so.

Windows 11 was the straw that broke my back during my employment at Microsoft. When my Microsoft work computer auto booted to windows 11, I informed my manager that I was on my way out. I spent decades (seems like) using windows 10 (forced to because of app availability). There’s a lot of online experience available to troubleshoot Windows 10. With windows 11 came issues I didn’t know how to handle, and Microsoft doesn’t support its products internally.

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Hey @Mat

WSL has been solid for me. No issues, even for launching GUI apps like Remmina. Everything just works.

Ubuntu is probably the most well tested / used WSL available. But yes I’ve been almost exclusively using Kali.

From the timing you mentioned, that sounds like WSL 1. But WSL 2 is a lot better and more stable that the frost version.

I agree with you on Windows 11. I choose to go with Windows 10 also because of the extra 5 years of so of development, updates and improvements.

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"WSL has been solid for me. No issues, even for launching GUI apps like Remmina. Everything just works.

Ubuntu is probably the most well tested / used WSL available. But yes I’ve been almost exclusively using Kali."

I’m happy to hear. :slight_smile: How was the Kali install? Any tricks needed? I vaguely recall WSL assuming Ubuntu.

WSL Kali? It was a one-click install from the App Store:

As far as the PC build, the SSD has not been delivered yet so have not done anything new with the PC since writing article.

Probably in a week or two as time allows.

Update: I was able to install Kali + Gnome with all of i3WM shortcuts.

For example:
super + 1 - (up to 9) takes me instantly to the selected workspace
super + tab - toggles between the most 2 recent workspaces
super + t launches terminal app workspace #3
super + f - launches file manager (nautilus) in workspace #5
super - shows the overview screen, and then I can use the mouse wheel or left or right arrow keys to move between workspaces visually.
double-tapping the super key - opens the applications list where I can use the keyboard (super and arrow keys) or the mouse to launch apps.
– AND a load of others I used with i3wm that I will continue to use with whatever WM or in this case DE that will support these time-saving shortcuts.

I tried first with Xfce4 + i3 first but with the PC specs, it was really a waste, with Gnome everything is still insanely fast, I’ve turned everything I can think of on, including a loaded-up blur my shell.

I will be using this for a month or 2 and then update the article.

Pending issues:

  • No printing or scanning yet.
  • Audio only works via HDMI for now.
  • Bluetooth didn’t work until manually solved.

Some screenshots:

I like the current setup because it does not take a ton of time to custom configure. Also, really prefer being on a rolling release, the latest Gnome 44 is a major improvment over the previous which I’ve also been happy with on my laptop.

I havn’t loaded it up with many of my apps yet. I usually wait to do that until certain I won’t wipe and fresh install, which would be #5. Kinda OCD i know.

For those who prefer dark wallpapers:

It’s ironic that now both Windows and Kali Linux are being used with i3wm keyboard shortcuts heavily integrated. i3 (and similar workflow-centric WMs) is the real winner so far.

@hydn
“What is the desktop environment or theme being used in this?”

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Hi @Nasredine welcome.

You mean the theme for the text editor? This was the default setup for Kali + Gnome 44. I didn’t change the text editor theme and still using the default gnome text editor package.

I’ll edit this comment and add a screenshot of the settings page later today. Gnome 44 + Kali, has such a lovely default overall. They extensions installed and configured by default are really great choices.

Will update.

Thank for answering @hydn.
I am referring to the top bar, and I would like to know how did you make it transparent while still displaying (apps) text, without any icons
2023-04-21_11-17

You should try compiling the cosmic shell extension, it pretty nice :slight_smile:

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@Nasredine I used blur-my-shell: Extension that adds a blur look to different parts of the GNOME Shell, including the top panel, dash and overview. There’s more screenshots of it in this article.

Here are my panel settings:


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Thanks for sharing this!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and recommendations. I understand that you have some concerns and suggestions regarding operating systems, specifically Windows and Linux distributions like Debian. Each operating system has its own strengths and considerations, and it ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences when choosing an operating system for specific use cases. Users should consider factors such as stability, compatibility, software availability, hardware requirements, and personal preferences when making their decision.

Regards,

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Are you still running Windows? How are you finding it?

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HI @andreas

Right this minute, I’m on Windows 10 + GlazeWM: A tiling window manager for Windows inspired by i3 and Polybar.

However, I do have dual boot now with Kali Linux as well. Enjoying both. Keyboard shortcuts are all the same, so it does not matter if I log in to Windows or Kali Linux.

Very nice! Do you noticeably spend more time in one OS or the other?

Not really. I would say a little more windows the last week. But I’m gonna reboot and switch because when I came to my office this morning the PC was not in sleep mode, so all the fans were on the entire night.

This problem happens on and off with my Windows install. Of course, did all the power manage settings and tons of other settings changes, even reinstalled Windows. Then had Windows IT guru who has worked with Microsoft before, work on it remotely, he’s at a loss also why its random. I’m suspecting that it’s to do with the AMD drivers or software. Who knows.

But that is usually the difference for me between Windows vs Linux. I have been able to fix 99% of Linux issues no matter the severity, and for that 1% I always know exactly what’s wrong and maybe have to wait for a patch or feature. Able to follow or report a bug.

Anyway, no more rant lol.

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That’s quite recognisable for me. I may have slightly more problems with Linux, but at least usually they can be solved or a patch is underway. With Windows, it seems slightly random sometimes why things do or do not work.

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I’m still mostly on Window’s 10. With Kali Linux dual boot. No crashes or issues with Windows, thus not tempted for the free Win 11 upgrade. :grin:

My Windows 10 VM (which I rarely use) auto-updated to Windows 11. I don’t know if I care, but I also didn’t know how to prevent it. :man_shrugging:

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