These Windows apps required an internet account, so I switched to offline variations that respect my privateness

Everything is a subscription now. All the apps appear to need you to join an account. They need your identify, e mail, and blood sort. Even when there isn’t any motive for it that advantages you as a person in any manner.

Why? It’s all about cash. Remember, “if you happen to’re not paying, you are the product.” Well, now you might be the product even if you end up paying. Your private data is value one thing, no matter your standing as a paying buyer. Either manner, I’ve had sufficient. Slowly, however absolutely, I’m attempting to interchange apps I’ve been utilizing that depend on an internet account with those who do not. That’s tougher than it sounds, however to this point I’ve locked down just a few.

I changed Microsoft 365 with LibreOffice

It’s fairly liberating

My predominant workplace apps are literally all in Google Drive, due to how a lot collaborative work I’ve to do with purchasers, and it is all however assured they’re going to have a Google account. However, now and again, I have to work with Office information offline, so I’ve been utilizing the Microsoft 365 suite.

It was once that you just purchased your Office apps as soon as, after which paid for an improve when the following main model landed, however for a very long time the one method to get these apps was to get a paid subscription. I did this for fairly some time as a result of it was low-cost, and the deal included some free OneDrive house. However, I finished utilizing OneDrive and realized that there isn’t any motive to pay for Office when LibreOffice exists.

I had really began utilizing LibreOffice again in my postgraduate days, however as soon as I obtained a job, my employers all used Microsoft Office. Coming again to it in spite of everything these years actually reveals how far the suite has come. I solely want it now to learn and edit paperwork now and again. So far, it is carried out completely with out an account or any cloud service.

I changed Adobe Photoshop with GIMP

It’s time to de-Adobe ourselves

My spouse has labored as knowledgeable video editor for years now, however sadly, the international stage financial system and, I think, the rise of AI video instruments have dried up that earnings stream. Which means we are able to now not justify paying a month-to-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

I haven’t got to do heavy picture modifying typically, however after I did, I used our shared copy of Photoshop. Now I’ve gone again to a different college-years favourite of mine: The GIMP. Again, coming again to it years later, the contributors have carried out an ideal job making it extra user-friendly. I’m discovering my toes once more, however it’s not nearly as unpolished as I remember most open-source apps being again then.

Bye Clipchamp, howdy Kdenlive

We had a great factor

After I upgraded to Windows 11 on launch day, I found the Clipchamp app, which was good for modifying display screen captures and online game clips. I had already switched to a Mac as my every day driver for critical work, and so I used iMovie there. Clipchamp is nowhere close to as refined as iMovie, however I did not want it to be.

Then, sooner or later, I attempted opening Clipchamp, and it demanded that I log in. This obligatory Microsoft account requirement took impact on August 23, 2025. That’s after I deleted it and switched to the open-source Kdenlive. It’s a extra full-featured video editor, however nonetheless easy sufficient for me to do the identical primary edits I did with Clipchamp. Since Kdenlive additionally works on macOS, I even have the choice of engaged on initiatives throughout all my computer systems.

Take notes, Evernote. I take advantage of Joplin now

As it’s written

This is a newer factor I’m attempting, since I’ve been getting together with Windows and Mac default notes apps. But my colleagues all use platforms like Obsidian and Notion, which made me understand that I most likely want a greater note-taking system.

Thinking again to the times I had an actual job, I used to be utilizing Evernote, so I attempted beginning there once more. But Evernote requires an account and login to make use of the desktop app. Also, the free model of the service is just a little restricted, which is why I’m experimenting with Joplin. It’s early days, and I simply wish to apply it to a pc with native observe storage, however it does provide the choice to sync to cloud providers you already use, however sadly not Google Drive. However, you possibly can simply use the Google Drive desktop app.

It’s good to be rather less “on-line” on a regular basis

I’ve to emphasise that not one of the apps I’ve stopped utilizing are dangerous. In truth, in some circumstances they’re extra polished and practical. It’s simply that the fixed account fatigue is value a small downgrade in comfort. These apps do not strictly want an internet account, or to collect details about me, however they do anyway.

I’ve gone from being OK with that to eager to change into an internet recluse. It’s the identical motive I’ve deleted my social media accounts, aside from the necessary evil of LinkedIn, after all.