Trying to find out if this topic is okay to talk about here

[UKTone]

Moderator edit to delete referenced YouTube link.

I don't want to say the word and get banned, apparently it's a legal grey area so go here

LINK DELETED


and hold ctrl+f, type spongeross, click replies, buzdalys5524 mention a word that starts with a d i want to ask about. Google says you can still legally activate Windows. I wouldn't be distributing it, so shouldn't be violating that part of the EULA. The other thing is i guess the main reason for the grey area that i won't mention just in case. Never heard of this process until reading that comment, and came at a time i was already planning on doing a clean install, so was thinking of making a post about it, but thought to check here first. Thanks.

 

[Ralston18]

Yes - there are legal grey areas and yes this Forum very much will not support piracy, hacks, security workarounds etc..

There is no need to provide a link which may only get free "hits" for the benefit of the link owner.

Or go through some combination of key presses etc. for some unknown, unclear end.

Just simply ask if "d" (whatever that is) is a permissable discussion topic.

That all said, if there is concern that a topic is not to be talked about then that topic is probably out of bounds with respect to Forum rules.

 

[UKTone]

Yes - there are legal grey areas and yes this Forum very much will not support piracy, hacks, security workarounds etc..

There is no need to provide a link which may only get free "hits" for the benefit of the link owner.

Or go through some combination of key presses etc. for some unknown, unclear end.

Just simply ask if "d" (whatever that is) is a permissable discussion topic.

That all said, if there is concern that a topic is not to be talked about then that topic is probably out of bounds with respect to Forum rules.

Ok, was trying to be on the safe side, debloat is the d i was referencing, but not for piracy, or anything knowingly illegal.

 

[Ralston18]

I believe that "debloating" is a fair topic for discussion.

However, that is simply my belief and I will defer to the Community Managers regarding the specific discussion boundaries.

= = = =

As for debloating per se:

General consensus being that debloating Windows (for example) to remove unneeded features and functions is risky.

Likewise for any application, OS, or utility.

There are often many dependencies involved meaning that removing "X" means that "Y" no longer works.

The proverbial "side effects" may not be immediately or obviously apparent.

 

[COLGeek]

Agreed. Debloating, as a topic, is okay.

I would suggest that some debloat tools/methods be viewed with skepticism. There are all sorts of claims of things that provide little/no benefit as well as more than a little malware to go along with said tools.

The FUD associated with this topic is somewhat concerning and amusing.