I hate this response but it was my first thought this time.

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called Linux, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called Linux distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux!

But seriously: another comment here points out some tool

Came here to make this (half)joke.

Sadly, it's not just a joke, it's also the only way to actually do this.

I recently moved to Linux mint after years of thinking it would be hard or wouldn't offer the tools I needed. I've been extremely pleasantly surprised! I've moved over fully, working in CAD, spreadsheets, all the normal stuff without any hassle. And none of these pop ups anymore.

You must switch back to English (US) after installation if you want access to Microsoft Store (and even if you don't, you probably should because most apps are now there).

I've seen a few tools to suppress most telemetry such as ChrisTitusTech's winutil or O&O ShutUp, maybe you could give that a try. Microsoft is really pushing hard Bing & Edge...

Also, as a Linux user, I must obliged to the rules and say there's alternatives out there if you want to try something new. :-) !linux@lemmy.ml

It's definitely a US thing, I'm on English (Singapore) and have not seen an ad, ever. I was perplexed by all the complaints of ads in the start menu and wherever, until someone pointed to me that it was a US thing.

Akshually Linus Torvalds is a prophet, Richard Stallman is our lord

Yeah you could probably just install Linux on your car and bypass that light instead of buying a truck.

Yeah but if the truck is free and better than your current car...