Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Digital Prepping, Part 2 - Preparing your Operating Systems to be Off-Line
Because Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Linux... are addicted to the Internet.
August 05, 2023
post photo preview

This is Part 2 in a series of articles on “Digital Prepping” — preparing your computers and smartphones for the possibility of any number of events… which could leave you without Internet or power for an extended period of time.

As we work to prepare our computers for the eventuality of a total loss of Internet access — be it temporary or permanent… planned or unplanned — there is one key aspect that often gets overlooked: Your Operating System.

Think about the various Operating Systems you use (both on your PCs and Smartphones). Then ask yourself these questions:

  • When you are setting up your Operating System, does it use the Internet for some things (including activation)?

  • Does your OS fetch drivers, which you need for your computer to fully function, from the Internet?

  • How about updates? Security patches? Installing new software? Does that come via the Internet as well?

Odds are you answered “Yes” to the majority of those questions.

For better or worse, that’s simply how most computer systems are designed nowadays — a tight reliance upon a regular Internet connection.

What happens when that connection goes away? Or, even if your personal Internet connection is available… what happens when the servers your Operating System expects to exist... are no longer there (either because the server lost access… or because the company went out of business entirely)?

No drivers. No activations. No updates, patches, or new software. In short: Your Operating System is all but crippled.

Let’s see what we can do to prepare ourselves for this unavoidable eventuality... so that our computers and smartphones continue to function (for both existing and new installations).

Let’s do this one platform at a time. Feel free to scroll down to the Operating System (including smartphones) that you are interested in prepping for a loss of Internet.

General Advice for all Systems

All of the major Operating Systems — Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, & Android — make heavy usage of On-Line software stores (and/or repositories).

Using those systems is (in general) best avoided if you want to be able to re-install your software in the future. Google Play Store, iOS App Store, Microsoft Store… all of them will break (in some way) if you lose Internet access.

In some cases this means that some applications (even if you have “purchased” and installed them already) will eventually stop working (especially common on Android and iOS). And it definitely means that installing new software is out of the question.

Suggestions for alternatives are included in each OS-specific section below.

Spoiler: If you want your computer and smartphone to be the most functional during an “Internet is gone” scenario… use Linux and Android. Windows, macOS, and iOS can all be a bit of a nightmare.

Microsoft Windows

If you are running Microsoft Windows… I have some bad news for you:

New installations of recent versions of Windows require an activation in order to fully function. The good news is that activation process can be done one of two ways: On-Line and Off-Line.

Obviously the On-Line process is out of the question. Because… no Internet. So let’s take a look at the Off-Line activation… which has you call a phone number.

While this removes the dependency on an active Internet connection… it does assume that Microsoft is still in business, still provides phone support at that same number, and that the phones systems are all working.

Which… is a lot of assumptions.

One other hiccup: In previous versions of Windows (up through version 8), Microsoft allowed you to backup your “Activation” file. That is no longer an option in modern (10 and 11) versions of Windows.

Once activated, Windows 10/11 will stay activated even without an Internet connection… so just pray you never need to reinstall your OS.

Putting that aside, there are two rules for using Windows in an Off-Line environment which you should follow religiously:

  • Make a backup of the installers of every possible hardware driver you might need. Download those driver installers from the manufacturer, and put those on a USB thumb drive (as well as at least one other storage device) to make sure you have access to them. You won’t be able to use On-Line driver installation (such as Windows Update)… so you’ll need these. Desperately.

  • Only use software which allows you to do Off-Line installations with absolutely no Internet activation (such as games purchased from GoG.com). Backup those installer files. In multiple places.

One bit of good news is that the Windows software ecosystem still tends to offer installers for most applications (even if Microsoft has been pushing their On-Line software store). This makes things much easier for us.

Recommendation: Use an older version of Microsoft Windows. Either a version that allows backing up of Activation files (version 8 or older) or a version that does not require any such Activation (such as Windows 2000). If you wish to use Microsoft Office, I recommend using Office 97 as it is the last version that does not require product Activation.

 

Consider this: If you have no Internet connection, there is no need to worry about being hacked or impacted by a virus received On-Line. So using slightly older versions of software is not as much of a security concern.

Apple macOS

Up until recently, Apple did not require any sort of Activation system for macOS (or “Mac OS”, as it used to be called). Unfortunately, starting with macOS “Ventura" — released in late 2022 — Apple now requires an active Internet connection to complete a full installation of macOS.

What does this mean? It means that using the most recent version of macOS (and any Macintosh computer released after that version came out) is out of the question in an Internet-free environment.

The problems don’t stop there.

The macOS software ecosystem has become almost entirely reliant on their On-Line-only store (the Mac App Store). While the traditional “shareware” model was popular with Mac OS users (thus providing Off-Line, easily backed up software)… that has changed in recent years as the Mac App Store has all but dominated the ecosystem.

The Mac App Store welcomes Office 365 - Apple

Want to use a modern Mac? You need the Internet. Full stop. Both in order to install the Operating System and install new applications.

The news isn’t all bad.

You can backup your Mac once installed (including currently installed applications) — and restore those backups. Unfortunately some apps will stop working after being disconnected from the Internet for an extended period of time.

Recommendation: Do not use a newer Macintosh if you expect to be Off-Line. Use a version of macOS -- prior to the "Ventura" release -- that does not require a connection to install. Also stick to much older versions of MacOS — prior to the advent of the Mac App Store — in order to maximize the availability of easily backed up software.

Linux

The good news with Linux, right off the bat, is that there is no product activation. Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Linux Mint… whatever distribution of Linux you opt to go with… installing has no hard requirement of Internet access.

Huzzah!

However (you knew there was going to be a down-side)…

Modern Linux has a deep, practical reliance on an active Internet connection in order to download and install packages — including hardware support — and software.

Luckily… with a little work… we can make a backup copy of those software “repositories” — either all of them, or part of them — for usage in an Off-Line scenario.

Depending on what variant of Linux you are using, there are multiple options available. In fact… there’s almost more ways to create Off-Line backups of Linux software repositories than you could ever imagine. Here are a few popular options:

  • Debian (& Ubuntu): apt-clone - Makes a snapshot of all of the packages which you currently have installed on your system and archives them for later installation (on this system or another one).

  • Make a Local Debian Repository Mirror - A little secret of Linux package repositories… is that they’re simply basic web servers with specific files in them. All you need to do is follow the steps to make a “mirror” of that repository… and place all of the files on a local storage drive. You will then have full access to all of those packages entirely Off-Line. This can be done for other systems like Fedora and Arch just as easily.

For whatever Linux-based system you use, simply do a search for that distribution name plus “how to mirror repository” or “clone repository” and you are likely to find numerous tutorials on how to accomplish exactly that task. Some will be easy, some will be more challenging and lengthy.

Recommendation: Pick your favorite Linux distribution and create a complete and total mirror of the package repositories. Place this on a backup drive which you can use to install software locally. This may take a fair bit of space — and quite a bit of time even on a fast Internet connection — but it will provide you with maximum flexibility in installing new software (and re-installing your systems) in an Internet-free future.

 

Bonus Recommendation: You can also place that local repository on your own personal (local) server, allowing multiple computers to use the same, non-Internet-connected, repository at the same time. We’ll talk more about how to do that in an upcoming installment of the Digital Prepping series.

Apple iOS

When it comes to being Off-Line, iOS is an absolute nightmare.

The ability to install software via any mechanism other than the iOS App Store is (for practical purposes) simply not functional. Certainly when the Internet connection is gone.

If you have an iOS device that is currently functioning when the Internet goes down… the best you can do it hope that nothing goes wrong (and that none of the software you rely upon are set, by the publisher, to disable after not gaining access to the iOS store for a long period of time).

The good news? Many applications will continue to function. So… hope for the best.

Recommendation: Do not use iOS if you anticipate being Off-Line for extended periods of time. There are some excellent iOS application with strong Off-Line capabilities (including Kiwix, which we covered in Part 1) — so all is not lost if you have an iOS device… especially if you anticipate only losing Internet for short periods of time. But for an “Internet is gone” scenario… iOS is simply a bad option. Possibly the worst. And that is by design.

Android

If iOS simply is not a viable smartphone operating system for being Off-Line for extended periods of time… how about Android?

The short answer is: Android is actually quite good in this scenario. Not perfect… but functional.

The Android OS can be re-flashed onto Android smartphones and tablets (including non-Google versions of Android ROMs that remove the Play Store, amid other changes) and software can be installed outside of the Google Play Store (they call that “Sideloading”)

One of the third party “software stores” — which takes advantage of this “Sideloading” — is known as F-Droid. Think of it, essentially, as a Linux package manager… but for Android.

Now, here’s where this helps us: You can setup your own F-Droid repository — and even mirror the contents of the main F-Droid repository — which you can store locally (or host on a local, non-Internet connected server).

In addition: You can backup APK files (which are the installation archives that Android applications use) — for applications you already have installed — and re-install those APKs (even when Off-Line) using a variety of applications like APK Extractor (and many others that allow backing up and extracting of APKs).

While this may not work in the future — as Google is currently in the process of further locking down Android in an effort to prevent “Sideloading” (the act of installing software outside of an On-Line store) — it works at the moment. So, that’s a good thing.

Recommendation: Backup the APKs of the Google Play Store applications you own and would like access to when offline. Download the Android Flashing tools, and images for your smartphones. That way you are prepared to completely re-setup your smartphone, from scratch, without the Internet. If you really want to get fancy, make a clone of the F-Droid repository.

Your Homework for Part 2

Let’s put this knowledge into practice. Because what’s the point of knowing how to be prepared for a total loss of Internet… if we don’t actually get prepared?

  • Pick one operating system above. Any of them (except iOS… because… well… there’s just not a lot you can do there.).

  • Identify software you have installed, that you will want to have access to, that you have installed via an On-Line software store (Google Play, Microsoft Store, or via a Linux repository).

  • Make a local backup copy of either the installer or the package. If there is no Installer available for the software you want to use… see if you can find an alternative (or older version) that allows Off-Line installation and usage.

Extra Credit: Make a local clone of a Linux or F-Droid repository using the links provided above. Be extra prepared for whatever the Universe throws at you.

See you in Part 3 of “Digital Prepping” — We’ll be talking about how to handle effective (and affordable) local backups… including how to safeguard those local backups (and your electronics) against disaster (such as floods or EMPs).

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
8
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Internet Archive Reaches Secret Settlement with Universal Music

Internet Archive Founder, Brewster Kahle, was the final hold-out in reaching a settlement. Which is being kept confidential.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:10:54
September 16, 2025
CTO of Microsoft Azure: "USA is Fascist Regime"

Microsoft employees chanting "Go away, Jews!" Then Microsoft employees praising the murder of Charlie Kirk. Now the Microsoft Chief Technical Officer of Azure attacks the USA & Trump.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:09:50
September 16, 2025
New Lunduke Journal Sub Perks, Lifetime Price Increase Next Week

DRM-Free PDF eBooks, games, an Exclusive Forum, and other goodies for Lunduke Journal Subscribers.

The details:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/7279764/new-lunduke-journal-sub-perks-lifetime-price-increase-next-week

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:06:16
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

You all, I think, will be very proud of me. All of my computers in the house, other than my desktop are now running Omarchy or Open Mandriva Linux.

Microsoft is so disgusting right now that I just can't not be using Linux.

I mean I am probably one of the most hardcore Windows developers on here. I still think a lot of my points are valid, but Microsoft is just so ethically bad that I can't support them willingly. I have to use Windows at work and development focuses on it in some cases.

BUT, I have already released 3 Linux based applications of my own, and that is something I NEVER thought I would do.

It is a crazy world.

https://github.com/2disbetter/

DHH backing Omarchy is the kind of support I was hoping would come to a desktop Linux distro. That it is Arch and uses Hyprland just makes me smile. I of course support xlibre, but I just really like Hyprland.

Anyway, figured this crowd would find all of this as ironic as I do. Hope you all are having a rad day!

21 hours ago

Tech Writers and Their Horrible Reviews

Its review season as Apple’s new iPhones and AirPods Pro Gen 3 are out in the wild. So many reviewers vying to get their content out there. And I appreciate the effort most of the time. Ok, SOME of the time.

First annoyance are “first look” reviews that add nothing of value above what was put out by Apple PR. But if “First Look” or “Unboxing” is in the title, you know what you are in for.

I save most of my ire for tech reviewers writing about photo, video or sound. These are the worst quality reviews IMNSHO. So much time wasted on technical detail and testing…by people who don’t know beans about photography, video or music.

I pay attention to photographers who take the time to use a smartphone in the field, for their work. Some talentless shutter clicker who takes the same uninspired photo using 5 different cameras, then pixel peeping to declare which one was “the winner” is useless.

Austin Mann has year in and out created some of the ...

September 17, 2025

Hey @Lunduke , I pinged you on X but not sure if you'll see it, so I'll share here.

There seems to be a small uprising on Bluesky to get DHH disassociated from Ruby on Rails, if you just go on BlueCry and search DHH you'll see the discussions. Don't know if it actually has legs.

Final Reminder: Lifetime Price Increase in 24 hours

This is just a super quick reminder (so no body misses out):

This Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300.

Which means: If you want to pick up a new Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th). That’s roughly 24 hours from the moment I am writing these words.

Obviously, once you have a Lifetime Subscription you’re set. You know. For life.

I wanted to give all of you some notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

Also worth noting: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

This will be the final reminder before the change goes into effect.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 15, 2025
post photo preview
Lunduke Livestream: Tue, Sep 16 at 1pm Eastern

The Lunduke Journal regular live-streaming is back! The next show is Tuesday, September 16th (tomorrow) at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific, 5pm UTC).

You can catch the live video, for free, on X, Rumble, YouTube, & Locals.

We’ve got a lot of Tech News to cover — and who knows what stories will pop up between now and then!

Time permitting, we’ll also be doing a little Nerdy Q & A. So, if you’ve got something you’d like to ask, join us in one of the chat rooms!

Also, quick reminder that the price of new Lifetime Subscription is going up this Friday. If you want one at the lower price, now’s your moment. We’ve also added some new perks for subscribers worth checking out.

See you nerd tomorrow!

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 14, 2025
New Lunduke Journal Sub Perks, Lifetime Price Increase Next Week

A quick update: There are some new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers, and an upcoming price increase for new Lifetime Subscriptions (if you want one of those at the lower price, you have a couple days).

All the details below.

Lifetime Subscription Price Increase

This coming Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300. I wanted to give all of you a few days notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

If you want to pick up a Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th).

The prices for new Yearly and Monthly subscriptions will remain the same. No changes.

Reminder: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

New Perks for Lunduke Journal Subscribers

I am working on adding a few new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers — a way of saying “Thank You” for making this work possible (while still keeping all of the articles and shows free for the world).

Here are the perks as of today.

Perks for all Subscribers (Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime):

Note: The eBooks & Games are currently only available on Locals & Substack (due to platform features). Those perks will also become available to subscribers on X, YouTube, & Patreon next week. Stay tuned for access details.

Additional (Optional) Perks only for Lifetime Subscribers:

  • The Lunduke Journal will follow your account on X.

  • Your name (real, or internet handle) listed in a special thanks slide at the end of new Lunduke Journal videos.

Both of these perks are 100% optional.

If you are a Lifetime Subscriber, and would like to take advantage of either (or both), simply email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the subject line “Lifetime Perk” (that part is important, I get so many emails this will help me see yours) and include a link to your X profile and/or the way you want your name to appear at the end of videos.

One of the nice parts of having Lunduke Journal follow your X account… is it will make it far easier (and more likely) for me to see your comments.

Thank You

I am working to expand all of the regular perks (books, etc.) to subscribers across all platforms (which was a little tricky, considering the differences in each platform, but I managed to figure out how to do it) — while adding a few new ones as well.

Nothing crazy, just a way of saying “Thank You”.

Seriously.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. The Lunduke Journal is only possible thanks to each and every one of you.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals