Basically, I need a minimalist, no BS, no autoupdate, no auto-turn-back-bad-settings-weekly version of windows specifically for the purpose of running windows occasionally and only connecting my phone to it to run this one specific application https://www.samsung.com/uk/apps/samsung-dex/

Scrcpy does not trigger Samsung Dex (or Android Desktop for non-Samsung devices), otherwise I'd just use that on my Garuda MATE Linux installation. I will be tinking with wine later but I doubt it will work.

Any option that involves spending money will probably not be worth it because if I am spending money on this, I'd rather get a portable monitor (they're not that expensive).

Know of any specifically good windows ISO or what the gold standard of keeping a rogue OS like windows in check?

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[–] FuckyWucky@hexbear.net 27 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Windows 10 LTSC. It's made exactly for this.

[–] manapropos@lemmy.basedcount.com 3 points 2 years ago

Great choice. If you go specifically with the IoT LTSC version you’re also supported until 2032

[–] Oka@lemmy.ml 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Windows Ghost Spectre
Windows LTSC

[–] theshatterstone54@feddit.uk 9 points 2 years ago

Windows 10 LTSC with ctt's winutil. Link: https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil

[–] raven@hexbear.net 8 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Atlas is my favorite version. Even LTT did a video about it. You just install a normal Windows 10 or 11 iso then run the atlas installer and it does a pretty good job making Windows minimal bullshit by replacing edge with Firefox, disabling countless anti features, and installing openshell.

If it's just for that one purpose have you considered running windows in a VM and passing though that one usb device? Gnome boxes makes that pretty easy.

[–] nudnyekscentryk@szmer.info 5 points 2 years ago

Windows 10 Ameliorated

[–] WeLoveCastingSpellz@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I think you should try to make the Samsung dex thing work on linux live boot environment and if it does go linux don't turn back. If it doesn't try atlas

[–] Morgikan@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I believe Tiny10 is still the smallest footprint Windows 10 OS available. Everything is stripped out (media player, photo viewer, etc). It gives you Microsoft edge and that's pretty much it. No updates, no one drive, no windows defender. Nothing.

[–] No_Huckleberry_2023@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

You say minimalist, no bs... I'd actually give that crown to Server 2019 or Server 2022.

Even Windows 10 LTSC (2019 / 2021) comes with more bs than the previous LTSB 2015 / 2016 versions.

[–] FluffyPotato@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

If you want manual updates then windows 8 is the only option. You can turn off auto updates on Windows 10 pro with a GPO but it's still install all or nothing then. You could also try running it as a virtual machine if you just need it for one program.

[–] WarmApplePieShrek@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 2 years ago

Linux

[–] Lotsen@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 2 years ago

I whould use windows 8.1 but iyhbwont receive updates anymore. Otherwise good. Use openshell for a real start menu