memes

A while back, I was actually okay with MS being semi forcible about Windows Update.

Most people overestimate their antivirus, and don’t realize that frequent updates are generally the most important way of keeping their system safe. And, to avoid turning computers into zombies for botnets, to keep the whole internet safe. Windows is the world’s most popular OS - it’s good for the world to keep systems secure.

And then MS had the gall to betray that responsibility of only shipping critical security patches by forceful methods. They started forcing people to Windows 11, pushing Edge back in as their browser, pushing popups and Start menu changes, and so on. For a thousand reasons, Windows Update has more notoriety in common with malware than the malware it’s meant to protect you from.

I googled a definition of a word today. it took me two minutes to get chrome to not use the "AI mode" search when searching via the address bar

tomorrow I'm switching to Firefox at work. after I spend an hour trying to figure out how to remove the copilot overlay from Excel, anyways

Uninstall and use another browser. Easy peasy.

Your first mistake was voluntarily using any Google software, especially chrome.

Software updates have gotten so fucked up in general these days.

It's so rare that changelogs are published to actually educate the end user about what an update will do. Most of the time it's just "Bug fixes and feature updates" with no further detail. What bugs? What features? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Then you update (or, more likely, you left auto-update on) because they guilt you into thinking that you'll immediately fall victim to a zero-day vulnerability if you don't. And suddenly everything just gets slightly worse and worse.

It should be more accepted to follow the mentality of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with software, precluding the need to install new updates unless something stops working or there is a vulnerability to patch. On my phone at least, I have auto updates turned off and will generally let audience consensus determine if it's something I want. But it's still a coin toss if I decide to take an update, because no one bothers to tell you what they really do anymore.

Well your first mistake was using Chrome in 2026

Leopards ate my face moment. Stop using that trash.

Everyone who still uses chrome after this insane breach of trust (if there was any before) should seriously think about why he enjoys corporate boot on his neck that much.

Stop using Chrome

Without asking

When has Google ever asked anybody before updating Chrome?

or notifying*.

*Except for the

• Announcement video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56b9uHAcHYc

• Blog post: https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/ai-mode-chrome/

• Developer documentation: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/ai/built-in

• And product page: https://gemini.google/overview/gemini-in-chrome/

Just stop updates.