Downloading Software From the Web on a Clean Install and Edge

I finally began working on installing programs on my machine after a clean install of Windows 10 only to discover the sweet talk from Microsoft, "Let's make the web work for you." Agree that we can track your every move and use it to your (and our) mutual benefit. Oh, and by the way, the Edge browser is a keystone to Windows 10. You must agree to this or install an alternative operating system. You have a choice.

Ugh. All I wanted to do was to install my Mozilla browser of choice and download ZTreeWin and perhaps Libre Office if time permitted. Instead I'm writing this and contemplating calling my senators to encourage another Congressional investigation of Microsoft.

thanks
baumgrenze

baumgrenze said:

I finally began working on installing programs on my machine after a clean install of Windows 10 only to discover the sweet talk from Microsoft, "Let's make the web work for you." Agree that we can track your every move and use it to your (and our) mutual benefit. Oh, and by the way, the Edge browser is a keystone to Windows 10. You must agree to this or install an alternative operating system. You have a choice.

Ugh. All I wanted to do was to install my Mozilla browser of choice and download ZTreeWin and perhaps Libre Office if time permitted. Instead I'm writing this and contemplating calling my senators to encourage another Congressional investigation of Microsoft.

thanks
baumgrenze

You don't have to accept or say yes to every popup MS throws in your face. The best is to close/reject/ignore EVERY one of them, for greater user preference control. You don't even have to sign in to your MS account, despite Edge's intimidation.

Whilst Edge is an "embedded" component of Windows (10/11) you can install any other browser you want - Firefox, Opera, Brave, safari, Tor, etc etc. Best way is to use Edge to download your first/favourite browser, ignoring/rejecting/closing all Edge's threats about the sky falling, etc. Then just forget about Edge and use that favoured browser, set as your default.

Also, most common software is avaiable directily from the website, you don't have to use the MS Store (In fact, I never do, for anything)

EDIT : Going back a few steps, even during installation, I disable (slide buttons OFF) EVERY one of MS's offers about system bells and whistles bloatware, despite the warning lie that MS displays about an incomplete installation/system. Best installation result
- no license code (do on completion)
- no internet connection (right to the very end, even if prompted)
- no MS sign in account
- all offers/extras/extra : slide switch off, or answer no!

You did not identify any problem.
What are you unable to do?

Denis