Re: Texting via Phone App in Windws 10

[Wally J]

wasbit <was...@nowhere.com> wrote

> How much does an account with Pulse cost?
>
> "Pick your plan to set up an account. The subscription option will
> provide you with a free 7-day trial, through the Play Store."

Good question... I never pay for anything... nor do I create an account.
But most people do both... so it's a perfectly valid question to ask.

Last I had written up a tutorial on Android messengers, it was $20/year.
<https://i.postimg.cc/Qd21dwVw/pulsesms01.jpg> PulseSMS was the best
<https://i.postimg.cc/3RdsFtgX/pulsesms02.jpg> Klinker sold to MapleMedia
<https://i.postimg.cc/1tjcm7KJ/pulsesms03.jpg> 5.4.6.2816 last known good version
<https://i.postimg.cc/nL8052Vj/pulsesms04.jpg> PulseSMS Max Image Size
<https://i.postimg.cc/ZR4jYqdJ/pulsesms05.jpg> PulseSMS last good version

In addition to testing _every_ Android:Windows sharing solution ever
mentioned on these newsgroups over the years, I also tested messaging apps.

I tested _every_ free ad-free SMS/MMS messenger on Android years ago, and
after writing up my results for review on Usenet, I chose PulseSMS as the
best (although there was a close second at the time I ran those tests).

Subsequently PulseSMS has gone over to the dark side, but rest assured I
still use the last known good version of "Klinker" PulseSMS (before they
sold out to Maple Media) which is version 5.4.6.2816 (as far as I know).

The reason I bring up the account on the server is that all the "good
stuff" that the OP "probably" wants with "Link to Windows" _also_ requires
that Microsoft Account (as proven by Andy Burns in his last post above).

It turns out you don't get "all that good stuff" of using any device to
text without connecting to the Internet (which is how Apple does it).

Me?

I use the FOSS screen copy tools which put Android onto Windows for me.
<https://i.postimg.cc/mrz6gJpC/scrcpy23.jpg> Android SMS/MMS on Windows
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

[Wally J]

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote

> Yes, alternative applications are available...but the question presented
> was specific - Testing via the Windows 10 Phone app.
> - The Windows 10/11 Phone app's requirements need to be met to do so.

Agreed. Both Andy Burns and I tested Link to Windows briefly today for the
OP and we both concluded one of those requirements is a Microsoft Account.

These are Andy Burns' screenshots, for example.
<http://andyburns.uk/misc/phonelink1.png>
<http://andyburns.uk/misc/phonelink2.png>

The help pages for what is needed don't seem to make it clear though that
the MSA is required, but I only skimmed them - the OP can look deeper.
<https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-app-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3>

I am still on Windows 10, but if the OP is on Windows 11, maybe the need
for that MSA isn't so onerous as he would already have created it, right?

--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

And to add tribal knowledge to the newsgroup archives for others to find.

[Wally J]

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote

> Ah, BT req. Don't have those on my old custom built desktops.
> Not even wifi. I guess expensive Macs will here.

Hi Ant,
One simple trick to put Wi-Fi onto any desktop that has Ethernet
is to plug any old router into that port and configure that old
router as your Wi-Fi gateway (mine use a client/bridge setup).

Since I live on top of a mountain that has no utilities whatsoever
except for electricity (and landline, if people still use it),
we get our Internet from a few miles away over the air to an
antenna on another hilltop.

Given that situtaion, we always have spare antennas lying around where,
since they can go miles, they make great range extenders inside the house!

<https://i.postimg.cc/MHK8gCFL/wirelessbridge01.jpg> dd-wrt client bridge
<https://i.postimg.cc/k5Hfvmfh/wirelessbridge02.jpg> dd-wrt bridge repeater
<https://i.postimg.cc/65xbPBwk/wirelessbridge03.jpg> run site survey & join
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5KDGVdt/wirelessbridge04.jpg> both SSIDs now work
<https://i.postimg.cc/SKvK2ccJ/wirelessbridge05.jpg> Windows elegant finesse
<https://i.postimg.cc/XJChDCPr/spare-access-points.jpg> Spare powerful APs

All you do is the following:
a. You usually flash the old router with dd-wrt (or equivalent).
b. You usually set up the router as a client bridge (or similar).
c. You usually connect to your home router (or AP hanging off of it).

That's it. It works beautifully to add Wi-Fi to a PC that doesn't have it.
<https://i.postimg.cc/Gh22Sb2N/desktop.jpg> Desktop MikroTik pseudobridge
<https://i.postimg.cc/Bv0wZbDh/pbe-m2-400-802-11-wifi-setting.jpg> AP
<https://i.postimg.cc/6QJqK6Cj/desktop02.jpg> Desktop MikroTik WISP radios
<https://i.postimg.cc/DfQJq437/mikrotikrouter.jpg> WISP router transceiver
<https://i.postimg.cc/s2c2L8Wd/mikrotik-router.jpg> Parts cost ~$150 new
<https://i.postimg.cc/yx4CgWYt/mikrotik-router-config.jpg> MikroTik -40dBm
<https://i.postimg.cc/Dzq9Bsjs/pb-m2-400-nanobeam.jpg> PowerBeam M2-400
<https://i.postimg.cc/kg5LKkz9/pbe-m2-400-airmax-setting.jpg> AirMax TDMA
<https://i.postimg.cc/htQ469sQ/pbe-m2-400-ap-station.jpg> AP or Repeater
<https://i.postimg.cc/gcBWpxnV/pbe-m2-400-bridge-router.jpg> Bridge
<https://i.postimg.cc/pLXCzFxC/powerbeam-nanobeam.jpg> Magnetic dishalt.comp.os.windows-10,comp.mobile.android,alt.comp.microsoft.windows

[Wally J]

Big Al <Be...@invalid.com> wrote

>> Ah, BT req. Don't have those on my old custom built desktops. Not even wifi. I guess expensive Macs will here.

> What do you do with a desktop and no wi-fi?
> Besides, usb wi-fi & bluetooth dongles are a dime a dozen.
> I picked up a
> $10 wi-fi dual wi-fi

Personally, I found those USB Wi-Fi dongles to be utter garbage in terms
of range compared to any old router that you already have lying around.
<https://i.postimg.cc/XJChDCPr/spare-access-points.jpg> My home Wi-Fi APs

<https://i.postimg.cc/Gh22Sb2N/desktop.jpg> Desktop MikroTik pseudobridge

Such "range extenders" can go for miles, and they're all free (for me).
<https://i.postimg.cc/D0vfqM3p/horns.jpg> Horns extend laptop Wi-Fi range
<https://i.postimg.cc/25NdBZ7f/horn-to-router.jpg> Laptop horn to router
<https://i.postimg.cc/JhyCRT69/horn-to-switch.jpg> Laptop horn to switch
<https://i.postimg.cc/Hs0NWSKr/laptopnanobeam.jpg> Laptop to dish antenna
<https://i.postimg.cc/vT0Krpfc/laptop-nanobeam-horn.jpg> Laptop to horn
<https://i.postimg.cc/905nFgxX/nanobeamnanobridge.jpg> NanoBeam & NanoBridge

When I tried USB Wi-Fi dongles, I returned them for lack of range.

[...winston]

Wally J wrote:
> "...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote
>
>> Yes, alternative applications are available...but the question presented
>> was specific - Testing via the Windows 10 Phone app.
>> - The Windows 10/11 Phone app's requirements need to be met to do so.
>
> Agreed. Both Andy Burns and I tested Link to Windows briefly today for the
> OP and we both concluded one of those requirements is a Microsoft Account.
>
> These are Andy Burns' screenshots, for example.
> <http://andyburns.uk/misc/phonelink1.png>
> <http://andyburns.uk/misc/phonelink2.png>
>
> The help pages for what is needed don't seem to make it clear though that
> the MSA is required, but I only skimmed them - the OP can look deeper.
> <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-app-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3>
>
> I am still on Windows 10, but if the OP is on Windows 11, maybe the need
> for that MSA isn't so onerous as he would already have created it, right?
>

The docs on the app could have been written better.

For the most part(for Win10) if the app requires an MSA to download from
the MSFT store or a feature included app in Windows, there's a good
chance an MSA is required for use.

For Win11, which is more closely designed(and expected) to be used with
an MSA, it seems reasonably logical that the MSA logon used for Windows
11 having already signed on - meets the Phone Link's MSA requirement.



--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ

[Andy Burns]

Wally J wrote:

> Andy Burns and I tested Link to Windows briefly today for the OP and we
> both concluded one of those requirements is a Microsoft Account.

I stopped at that point.

Also I don't think any of this helps the O/P's brother since he only has
a landline, no mobile.

[Wally J]

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote

>> The help pages for what is needed don't seem to make it clear though that
>> the MSA is required, but I only skimmed them - the OP can look deeper.
>> <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-app-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3>
>>
>> I am still on Windows 10, but if the OP is on Windows 11, maybe the need
>> for that MSA isn't so onerous as he would already have created it, right?
>>
>
> The docs on the app could have been written better.
>
> For the most part(for Win10) if the app requires an MSA to download from
> the MSFT store or a feature included app in Windows, there's a good
> chance an MSA is required for use.
>
> For Win11, which is more closely designed(and expected) to be used with
> an MSA, it seems reasonably logical that the MSA logon used for Windows
> 11 having already signed on - meets the Phone Link's MSA requirement.

I think we agree (you, me and Andy Burns at least) that the MSA is a
requirement, even it's not explicitly spelled out at the "beginning".

Now... what about Ant's objection that Bluetooth is also required?

When I grep for bluetooth in the document, the word "bluetooth" shows up 14
times, but tellingly, first only under the "setup for Instant Hotspot"...
<https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-app-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3>
How to setup Instant Hotspot?
... stuff ...
What are the requirements for using this feature?
... stuff ...
A PC with Bluetooth support and Wi-Fi adapter
... stuff ...

But then "bluetooth" shows up 13 more times after that, where I'm not sure
if BT is needed or not for the typical normal Link to Windows requirements.

[Wally J]

Andy Burns <use...@andyburns.uk> wrote

>> Andy Burns and I tested Link to Windows briefly today for the OP and we
>> both concluded one of those requirements is a Microsoft Account.
>
> I stopped at that point.

I did also as I have tested every free and account free and ad free
solution for linking the PC and Android together in the past.

For most, I would think the link-to-windows alternative is KDE-Connect.
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kde.kdeconnect_tp>

Here are my screenshots from when I had tested KDE Connect with Windows.
<https://i.postimg.cc/qqcHvN6T/kdeconnect01.jpg> KDEConnect setup
<https://i.postimg.cc/ZYHf4PCq/kdeconnect02.jpg> KDEConnect pairing
<https://i.postimg.cc/cJ39SVnq/kdeconnect03.jpg> KDEConnect sharing

But personally, I mostly mirror my phone onto the PC over Wi-Fi and act on
it using the PC keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers and clipboard(s).
<https://i.postimg.cc/pr8NPNKs/scrcpy33.jpg>

[...winston]

At this end, not actually agreeing. Just stating what I know is
true(required).
- MSA required

Bluetooth
- requirement is Android and iOS based for their smartphones.
i.e. not a MSFT or Windows requirment per se. It's the connectivity
required by Android and iOS to sync the phone for the Windows app.


--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ

[Wally J]

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote

> At this end, not actually agreeing. Just stating what I know is
> true(required).
> - MSA required
>
> Bluetooth
> - requirement is Android and iOS based for their smartphones.
> i.e. not a MSFT or Windows requirment per se. It's the connectivity
> required by Android and iOS to sync the phone for the Windows app.

Leave it to Microsoft to be so sneaky as to not be explicit that the MSA is
required for things that it should NOT need to have an MSA to do.

An example is I just tried to install this "To Do" app from Microsoft.
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.todos>

Nowhere does it say (that I could find) that you need an MSA account.
So I install it.

Guess what the first thing is that it requires just to open up the app.....

[...winston]

:)
I believe I mentioned(earlier)...
- if it's an app from MSFT, good chance in every instance an MSA is
required. While some included apps can be run without an MSA(or a notice
to sign on with an MSA), the design intent since Windows 8.0 has been to
use an MSA.
- pretty much strengthened further since Win10 was released

Lol...its not much different when design intent using a Microsoft
Account(fka as Live account) in 2008 first appeared with the release of
the Windows Essentials suite(Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker)
- while not necessary the design intent was to use these programs with
an MSA(Live Account - Outlook/Hotmail/Live/Msn.com, Passport.net or any
third party email registered as an MSA/Microsoft account).

Sneaky? No...an MSA use has been the norm for years with the initial
direction over 15 yrs ago.

--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ

[Wally J]

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote

> I believe I mentioned(earlier)...

Ah. You did. My bad. I'm just slowly coming to that realization.
Empirically.

> - if it's an app from MSFT, good chance in every instance an MSA is
> required. While some included apps can be run without an MSA(or a notice
> to sign on with an MSA), the design intent since Windows 8.0 has been to
> use an MSA.

You have a better handle on Microsoft's MSA-lockin strategy than I do.

There is no doubt the always-logged-into-the-mothership-servers model has
worked beautifully for Apple where I'd wager 98% of Apple users don't even
realize they're sheep kept in the slaughterhouse surrounded by the garden.

But I thought Windows users were smarter than that in that we've all
rebelled against, oh, say, Windows 10 S which at first "seemed to" require
a MSA but in reality, it was very easily worked around (turning Windows 10
S into Windows 10 Home rather easily).

The requirement for the MS Store account also was easily circumvented
simply by not getting anything from the MS Store (which, to my knowledge,
doesn't contain anything of any worth). Even Paint.NET (my favorite free
PhotoShop editor on Windows) is obtained outside of the MS Store (although
inside the MS Store they charge people dumb enough to pay for it there).

> - pretty much strengthened further since Win10 was released

You're ahead of me on understanding Microsoft's MSA strategy as I have no
account still - and yet - I've tried to remove my Apple account from my
iPads and everything stops working.

While temporarily creating a MSA account for my first Windows 10 S
conversion was "fixed" by requesting a deletion from MS (which they did
some time later), I hear that only in Windows 11 is the damn thing
required.

If that's true, then it took Microsoft from Windows 8 to now to make it a
reality. Luckily there's nothing Windows 11 does that all the other
Windows versions don't (or won't) do, so I'm safe for another few years.

[Graham J]

Wally J wrote:

[snip]

> While temporarily creating a MSA account for my first Windows 10 S
> conversion was "fixed" by requesting a deletion from MS (which they did
> some time later), I hear that only in Windows 11 is the damn thing
> required.

It's not required. It is possible to install Windows 11 Pro without a
MSA. Not sure about Windows 11 Home.

This is for a Dell Vostro 5620 with W11Pro pre-installed.

Power up
Agree language and keyboard settings
It wants a network connection

Key Shift + Fn + F10 to get a command window.

(The Fn key is becasye it's a small keyboard, so the Function keys are
shared with the number keys alon the top row.)

Then type:
oobe\bypassnro
machine restarts

Then repeat steps until given the option:

... I don't have internet ...

Continue limited setup, which allows you to create a Local Administrator
account.










--
Graham J

[Paul]

A way to install a Metro App, might be to use "winget".
I don't know what dependencies that has.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/

Paul

[Andy Burns]

Graham J wrote:

> It is possible to install Windows 11 Pro without a MSA.  Not sure about
> Windows 11 Home

I used shift-F10 then
taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe

[...winston]

Wally J wrote:
> "...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote
>
>> I believe I mentioned(earlier)...
>
> Ah. You did. My bad. I'm just slowly coming to that realization.
> Empirically.
>
>> - if it's an app from MSFT, good chance in every instance an MSA is
>> required. While some included apps can be run without an MSA(or a notice
>> to sign on with an MSA), the design intent since Windows 8.0 has been to
>> use an MSA.
>
> You have a better handle on Microsoft's MSA-lockin strategy than I do.
>
> There is no doubt the always-logged-into-the-mothership-servers model has
> worked beautifully for Apple where I'd wager 98% of Apple users don't even
> realize they're sheep kept in the slaughterhouse surrounded by the garden.
>
> But I thought Windows users were smarter than that in that we've all
> rebelled against, oh, say, Windows 10 S which at first "seemed to" require
> a MSA but in reality, it was very easily worked around (turning Windows 10
> S into Windows 10 Home rather easily).
>

That doesn't change much. The Windows apps in Win10/11 S are the same
apps in Windows 10/11 Home/Pro.
S mode is a Windows Store app only mode requiring Edge for browsing
- i.e. not able to install programs from other sources(e.g.3rd party)

> The requirement for the MS Store account also was easily circumvented
> simply by not getting anything from the MS Store (which, to my knowledge,
> doesn't contain anything of any worth). Even Paint.NET (my favorite free
> PhotoShop editor on Windows) is obtained outside of the MS Store (although
> inside the MS Store they charge people dumb enough to pay for it there).

There are two releases of Paint.net - one free, one paid
iirc, the Store version has auto version updating

Paint.net does appreciate donations for using the free version, the paid
version meets that intent.

>
>> - pretty much strengthened further since Win10 was released
>
> You're ahead of me on understanding Microsoft's MSA strategy as I have no
> account still - and yet - I've tried to remove my Apple account from my
> iPads and everything stops working.

Design intent. That been the same for years, even before iPads, iPods
and iTouch devices used iTunes and an Apple ID to sync.

>
> While temporarily creating a MSA account for my first Windows 10 S
> conversion was "fixed" by requesting a deletion from MS (which they did
> some time later), I hear that only in Windows 11 is the damn thing
> required.

Not necessarily true. A Local account can still be created in Windows 11
If upgraded to Win11 from Win10, all Windows logon accounts(MSA and
Local) by default/design will be retained.

>
> If that's true, then it took Microsoft from Windows 8 to now to make it a
> reality. Luckily there's nothing Windows 11 does that all the other
> Windows versions don't (or won't) do, so I'm safe for another few years.
>

See above, not entirely true.
Nothing wrong with staying on Windows 10 at least until EOL in 2025

--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ

[Wally J]

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote

>> But I thought Windows users were smarter than that in that we've all
>> rebelled against, oh, say, Windows 10 S which at first "seemed to" require
>> a MSA but in reality, it was very easily worked around (turning Windows 10
>> S into Windows 10 Home rather easily).
>>
> That doesn't change much. The Windows apps in Win10/11 S are the same
> apps in Windows 10/11 Home/Pro.

The power of any operating system, particularly Windows, isn't in the
programs that come with it - but in the programs you can add to it later.

To that end, Windows S, to me, is no different than iOS or Chrome as a
locked-down operating system, where I grew up in the freedom of the fifties
and sixties and seventies and eighties and nineties - so I rebelled against
the attempts in the past decade to lock me into a walled garden in Redmond.

> S mode is a Windows Store app only mode requiring Edge for browsing
> - i.e. not able to install programs from other sources(e.g.3rd party)

My first (of three) Windows S to Windows 10 Home conversions required the
MSA (as I recall - but only because I allowed it to go too far at first, as
I recall). The other two did NOT require me to make an MSA and then ask for
deletion of the MSA (which Microsoft did, after a lengthy span of time).

While my wife unthinkingly moved her laptop to Windows 11, none of my
desktops have the requisite hardware so I'm stuck on Windows 10 for now.

If/when I do migrate to Windows 11, it will likely be on a laptop that
already has it installed where I saw the posts from Andy Burns & Graham J
that Windows 11 doesn't necessarily require teh MSA account.

I should probably try it first on my wife's migrated laptop - but she'll
kill me if something goes wrong. :)

>> The requirement for the MS Store account also was easily circumvented
>> simply by not getting anything from the MS Store (which, to my knowledge,
>> doesn't contain anything of any worth). Even Paint.NET (my favorite free
>> PhotoShop editor on Windows) is obtained outside of the MS Store (although
>> inside the MS Store they charge people dumb enough to pay for it there).
>
> There are two releases of Paint.net - one free, one paid
> iirc, the Store version has auto version updating

Funny thing is that FOSS Pinta is supposed to replace the FOSS Paint.NET,
but I tested them both over the years (albeit not recently) and it had not.

Maybe it's time to test the two of them again for the 3 things I do most.


Another funny thing is if you act innocent and just google for how to
install Paint.NET for free, it's not easy to find the correct URLs for it.
<https://duckduckgo.com/?&q=download+paint.net+freeware>

To help others, these are the "correct" URLs if anyone here wants them.
<https://www.dotpdn.com/downloads/pdn.html>
<https://github.com/paintdotnet/release/releases/tag/v5.0.11>

> Paint.net does appreciate donations for using the free version, the paid
> version meets that intent.

I'm helping a very small number of developers on XDA improve their apps,
where the way I "donate" is I test their software for them, in detail.

I suggest to every one of them to add a button to ask for donations.

An example is this free app which is the best engine for what it does.
<https://xdaforums.com/t/app-6-0-app-finder-the-most-advanced-search-engine-for-android-apps.4578809/page-10#post-89024201>

>>> - pretty much strengthened further since Win10 was released
>>
>> You're ahead of me on understanding Microsoft's MSA strategy as I have no
>> account still - and yet - I've tried to remove my Apple account from my
>> iPads and everything stops working.
>
> Design intent. That been the same for years, even before iPads, iPods
> and iTouch devices used iTunes and an Apple ID to sync.

I see the inherent advantage to the mothership of having everyone do all
that neat 'garden' stuff on mothership servers, but I rebel against it.

Currently I have no MSA and I can do whatever I need to do.
Likewise I have no Google Account on my Androids & I do just fine w/o it.
It's on the iPads that removing the mothership account caused all to fail.

I don't blame Microsoft for wanting to get everyone on their servers.
I'm happy that on Windows 11 Home, we can avoid it when I get there.

I'm of the opinion that nothing changes but the paint when Microsoft shifts
to a new operating system, although the bugfix support is a necessary item.

>> While temporarily creating a MSA account for my first Windows 10 S
>> conversion was "fixed" by requesting a deletion from MS (which they did
>> some time later), I hear that only in Windows 11 is the damn thing
>> required.
>
> Not necessarily true. A Local account can still be created in Windows 11
> If upgraded to Win11 from Win10, all Windows logon accounts(MSA and
> Local) by default/design will be retained.

Hmmmm.... oh... wow... that may be how my wife upgraded her laptop as she
punched the buttons without even telling me (as I don't open her laptop
unless it's the only laptop around & I need to do a search or whatever).

I was actually surprised she was on Windows 11, so I had simply _assumed_
she had created the MSA. I didn't even ask her as I assumed it was needed.

Since I set up her laptop (years ago) when I had bought it for her, and
since it came as S, I know she had only a local account on Windows 10 Home.

How would I run a test on her laptop to see if she has an MSA?

(She probably wouldn't even know herself as I assigned the local laptop
username and password, although none of my computers or phones have them).

>> If that's true, then it took Microsoft from Windows 8 to now to make it a
>> reality. Luckily there's nothing Windows 11 does that all the other
>> Windows versions don't (or won't) do, so I'm safe for another few years.
>>
> See above, not entirely true.
> Nothing wrong with staying on Windows 10 at least until EOL in 2025

I have asked, in the past, what we can do on Windows 10 that we couldn't do
on the previous versions and the answer is pretty much nothing is new.

Having been on Windows since the 95/XP days, I'm willing to bet the trend
is similar with Windows 11, although as you're well aware, I had to pull my
WinXP 1/2 GB RAM Dell laptop off the net which still runs my USB printer.

About the only issue is the loss of hotfix support for Windows 10.

I'm hoping by then they will have workarounds for my older circa 2009 (but
powerful at the time) 16 GB RAM Windows Pro desktops.

In summary, thank you for your insight, which exceeds that of mine.

[Oscar Mayer]

On Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:35:06 -0400, Paul wrote:

> A way to install a Metro App, might be to use "winget".
> I don't know what dependencies that has.
>
> https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/

This app says it fives SMS/MMS directly to the Windows PC.

Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS on Windows Pc
https://appsonwindows.com/apk/2426789/
https://download.appsonwindows.com/download/hazar.studio.privatecontacts-v1.2.9-appsonwindows.com.apk

About this app
On this page you can download Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS and
install on Windows PC. Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS is free
Communication app, developed by Hazar Studio. Latest version of Private
Contacts - Private Call & SMS is 1.2.9, was released on 2018-08-01 (updated
on 2019-07-06).

Technical details
File Name: hazar.studio.privatecontacts-v1.2.9-appsonwindows.com.apk
Version: 1.2.9 (Release Date August 01, 2018)
File Size: 11.5 MB
File MD5: 284522C8C0F9D8445AD5FD14C8324488
Developed By: Hazar Studio

Step By Step Guide To Install Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS using
BlueStacks

Download and Install BlueStacks at: https://www.bluestacks.com. The
installation procedure is quite simple. After successful installation, open
the Bluestacks emulator. It may take some time to load the Bluestacks app
initially. Once it is opened, you should be able to see the Home screen of
Bluestacks.
Open the APK/XAPK file: Double-click the APK/XAPK file to launch BlueStacks
and install the application. If your APK/XAPK file doesn't automatically
open BlueStacks, right-click on it and select Open with... Browse to the
BlueStacks. You can also drag-and-drop the APK/XAPK file onto the
BlueStacks home screen
Once installed, click "Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS" icon on the
home screen to start using, it'll work like a charm :D
[Note 1] For better performance and compatibility, choose BlueStacks 5
Nougat 64-bit read more
[Note 2] about Bluetooth: At the moment, support for Bluetooth is not
available on BlueStacks. Hence, apps that require control of Bluetooth may
not work on BlueStacks.

How to install Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS on Windows PC using
NoxPlayer

Download & Install NoxPlayer at: https://www.bignox.com. The installation
is easy to carry out.
Drag the APK/XAPK file to the NoxPlayer interface and drop it to install
The installation process will take place quickly. After successful
installation, you can find "Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS" on the
home screen of NoxPlayer, just click to open it.

[VanguardLH]

Oscar Mayer <nob...@oscarmayer.com> wrote:

> On Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:35:06 -0400, Paul wrote:
>
>> A way to install a Metro App, might be to use "winget".
>> I don't know what dependencies that has.
>>
>> https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/
>
> This app says it fives SMS/MMS directly to the Windows PC.

^^^^^___ fives?

>
> Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS on Windows Pc
> https://appsonwindows.com/apk/2426789/
> https://download.appsonwindows.com/download/hazar.studio.privatecontacts-v1.2.9-appsonwindows.com.apk
>

> Step By Step Guide To Install Private Contacts - Private Call & SMS using
> BlueStacks
>

> Download and Install BlueStacks ...

That use the Bluestacks emulator for Android on a Windows host. Lots of
Android apps can run under Bluestacks, including:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.abwesend.privatecontacts

Looks the same as the one you mention. However, your software download
site says the app owner is Hazar Studio, but the one on the Play Store
says its owner is 2Gusoft. There is no info on the author at the
appsonwindows.com site. The 2Gusoft one has the Github project and
contact e-mail for the author. The Play Store will require you have a
Google account. No idea from where the other came from.

I wanted more info on the Hazar Studio. So I did a search:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=5877175006043432224&hl=en_US&gl=US

That lists a web site for Hazar at:

https://www.hazarsoft.net/

That doesn't list specific apps. Just mentions they do app coding per
contract. While the Play Store hit is for Hazar, it doesn't list any
apps by that author at the Play Store.

Still no idea where the app at appsonwindows.com came from. In
addition, the instructions say to get the .apk from somewhere else.

[Oscar Mayer]

On Sun, 15 Oct 2023 19:04:10 -0500, VanguardLH wrote:

> The Play Store will require you have a Google account.

Just a minor correction, you only need that Google account to download from
the Google Play Store repository if you don't know about the FOSS skins.

All the FOSS skins already have an anonymous Google account which is what
they automatically use to download apps directly off the Google Play repo.