They Forgot What Happened Last Time: Hacking the Windows 365 Link [video]

Microsoft’s tiny Windows 365 Link box was pitched like the ultimate no-fuss work machine: a little device that does almost nothing on its own and basically exists to connect you to a rented computer in the cloud. The sales pitch was all about safety and control — no full user access, no local files, and all the locks turned on. To critics, though, that translated into one brutally meme-able idea: a pricey box that becomes e-waste if the cloud says no.

That’s why the reaction to this stage talk felt less like polite tech chatter and more like the internet grabbing popcorn. The presenter openly framed it as a rematch with history, pointing out that the last time Microsoft went hard on locked boot rules, it ended badly for them. Community mood? Pure chaos and delight. The standout comment from peebee67 — “I loved everything about this.” — pretty much sums up the vibe: part admiration, part mischief, part long-running grudge against locked-down gadgets.

The strongest feeling here is simple: people hate being told a device they bought isn’t really theirs. Even with only a tiny slice of discussion shown, the energy is obvious — glee at seeing a “can’t be hacked” style promise get challenged, plus dark humor about subscription hardware and corporate control. The joke writes itself: if you sell people a box that only works on your terms, don’t act shocked when someone treats that like a challenge.