Many new PCs (generally the cheaper priced ones) come in S mode now, where you can only install Microsoft store apps. You can turn this off to allow regular PC programs too, but they require you to set up the Microsoft store before you can disable it.

If you're trying to set up a new PC without a Microsoft account (which is getting increasingly hard), you can't disable S mode. There was a workaround that involved booting into recovery mode and running some commands/registry edits, but I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft has blocked that too by now.

This is also the biggest reason Valve supports Linux and ChromeOS. Microsoft really wants full control over what software people can use on Windows, and Valve is worried about getting pushed off the platform.

[–] Mushroomm@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

And they actually wonder why tech literate people shit all over them every chance they get. This is some trash human behavior.

It'd be like if you sprayed fart spray all over your neighbors table at a flea market because they also have a few pokemon cards for sale but they're in better condition than yours.

"Rather than improve myself I'm going to block others from doing better than me" is the corporate worlds motto ATM. Race to the bottom