Slimdown10_v2.0.2 (continued)

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by SunLion, Sep 1, 2024.

  1. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
  2. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
    Logon I think you should read my post, and what I'm responding to more carefully... You're projecting...
     
  3. Logon

    Logon MDL Member

    May 31, 2008
    181
    121
    10
    It does work, thanks. :D
     
  4. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
  5. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
  6. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
  7. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    610
    1,722
    30
    Thank you gutentaghallo! I think using AI for this kind of research is brilliant! I would caution: every AI has built-in bias that may include and is certainly not limited commercial bias. There's very interesting prompts written to analyze money trails for funding and bias. So, I'd recommend you dump the same prompt into at least Grock and Gemini as you often get three very different responses. As it won't be the same prompt you used -- I've probably over-simplified, just pasting what I did here with Grock for fun:

    What's the best Mozilla based browser that allows for account sync across multiple computers that offers the most default privacy and security?

    The best Mozilla-based browser (meaning built on Firefox's Gecko engine) that balances strong default privacy and security with functional account sync across multiple computers is LibreWolf.

    LibreWolf stands out as a hardened fork of Firefox that removes all Mozilla telemetry, Pocket integration, sponsored content, and other potential tracking elements right out of the box. It applies strict Enhanced Tracking Protection (often at the strictest level), better resists fingerprinting through various tweaks (like RFP — Resist Fingerprinting — enabled or closely approximated), disables unnecessary features that could leak data, and ships with uBlock Origin pre-installed in many builds for ad/tracker blocking. This makes its defaults significantly more privacy-focused than stock Firefox, while still being very close to upstream Firefox in compatibility and performance.

    Crucially, LibreWolf supports Firefox Sync (Mozilla's end-to-end encrypted sync for bookmarks, passwords, history, tabs, add-ons, etc.). It's disabled by default for maximum privacy, but you can easily enable it in settings (or via about:config / overrides) without major downsides — the sync data is encrypted locally before leaving your device, so Mozilla can't access it meaningfully. This allows seamless cross-device sync across computers (Windows, macOS, Linux), and it works with Firefox on mobile if needed.

    Comparison to Close Alternatives
    • Stock Mozilla Firefox — Excellent overall, with built-in sync by default, strong tracking protection (Total Cookie Protection, etc.), frequent security updates, and E2EE sync. But it includes some telemetry (which you can disable), Pocket, and other Mozilla services that reduce its "default" privacy compared to forks. It's a very close second if you prefer official support and don't mind tweaking settings.
    • Waterfox — Supports sync, has good privacy defaults (e.g., Oblivious DNS, tracking protection), and focuses on legacy extension support/performance. It's solid but generally seen as less aggressively privacy-hardened out of the box than LibreWolf.
    • Floorp or Zen Browser — These add UI/customization features on top of Firefox ESR or regular code. They can be privacy-respecting (no heavy telemetry in many cases) and support sync, but their defaults aren't as stripped/tightened as LibreWolf's for pure privacy/security.
    • Mullvad Browser — Offers the strongest out-of-the-box privacy and anti-fingerprinting (built with Tor Project tech, like letterboxing, RFP enabled, etc.), making it arguably the most secure against advanced tracking. However, it does not support Firefox Sync (or any built-in account sync) — it's designed around private browsing defaults with no persistent data/sync, so it fails your cross-computer account sync requirement.
    If maximum privacy is the absolute priority and you're willing to forgo native sync (using something like self-hosted alternatives for bookmarks/passwords instead), Mullvad Browser edges out as the "most private" Mozilla-based option. But since you specifically need account sync across computers, LibreWolf delivers the best combination without requiring heavy manual hardening.

    You can download LibreWolf from its official site (librewolf.net). After install, go to Settings → search for "sync" to enable and sign in with your Mozilla account. For even stronger setup, pair it with a good VPN or DNS (like NextDNS with strict filtering). If your needs evolve (e.g., more UI tweaks), switching to Floorp or back to Firefox is straightforward since extensions and sync data transfer easily.

    Thanks for some great inspiration here, going to do this with some very specific and technical details for Linux Distros, and Windows slimming and anti-telemetry projects. I'd bet there's also some good information that can be gleaned regarding how badly Windows leaks...
     
  8. SunLion

    SunLion MDL Expert

    May 11, 2011
    1,591
    5,908
    60
  9. Mavericks Choice

    Mavericks Choice MDL Guru

    Aug 5, 2015
    4,257
    16,615
    150
    @SunLion ran script & tested in a VM, minor issue I selected the following:
    ===========================================================
    SD10_Renewed_1.50
    Configured Options at Thu 12/02/2026, 18:11:20.21
    ===========================================================
    Running in NORMAL mode
    Selected Other ISO, not related
    DISABLE Windows Store
    Don't REMOVE ClickToDo - GetStarted - WindowsBackup
    Don't DISABLE Windows Search
    REMOVE Windows Defender
    REMOVE Edge
    NetFx3 is Enabled
    Enable Modern Calculator
    Remove WinRE.wim
    Don't Integrate DaRT
    Enable MediaPlayer
    Enable Subsystem-Linux
    Show ThisPC + Bin + User + ControlPanel Icons on Desktop
    Apply PersonalTweaks

    Though "Show ThisPC + Bin + User + ControlPanel Icons on Desktop" is not working.
     
  10. SunLion

    SunLion MDL Expert

    May 11, 2011
    1,591
    5,908
    60
    #1255 SunLion, Feb 12, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2026
    (OP)
    I will check.

    OK

    Tested here and it's working without errors.

    See the attached image.

    Could you please post the log file?
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Mavericks Choice

    Mavericks Choice MDL Guru

    Aug 5, 2015
    4,257
    16,615
    150
    #1256 Mavericks Choice, Feb 12, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2026
    I must say this is the best SD10 so far producing one of the smallest wims yet!
    Yes see attached
     

    Attached Files:

  12. SunLion

    SunLion MDL Expert

    May 11, 2011
    1,591
    5,908
    60
    I didn't see any errors in the log file.

    Could you check if the file "ThisPC-Bin-User-ControlPanel.reg" is located in the folder "$OEM$\$$\Setup\REG"?

    Please attach a screenshot of your desktop.
     
  13. Mavericks Choice

    Mavericks Choice MDL Guru

    Aug 5, 2015
    4,257
    16,615
    150
    ok I will do a further test, yes the ThisPC-Bin-User-ControlPanel.reg was present in the in the folder $OEM$\$$\Setup\REG
     
  14. bendeyar

    bendeyar MDL Member

    Mar 14, 2019
    235
    492
    10
    I have no problem either.
    ThisPC-Bin-User
     
  15. anonimus666

    anonimus666 MDL Novice

    Feb 12, 2026
    1
    1
    0
    i have an ipad. ✌️