HarryTri

I have Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x64) - 14.0.23026 and Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86) - 14.30.30704 on Windows 8, I had no problem in installing them.

And remember that Windows 8 has no telemetry.

There are also the well known Avast, AVG and TotalAV, with their free versions.

I'm not sure but I have the impression that RW DL discs don't really exist.

O&O Shutup Windows 10 helps with the telemetry as far as it can (with Windows 11 doesn't help much due to the lack of telemetry options, which of course doesn't mean the lack of telemetry itself).

You can also try installing with an unmodded ISO to check if the same thing happens.

Firstly you must check which is the maximum RAM that your processor supports (usually 32 or 64 GB). You can use HWiNFO for this (look at Central Processors>your processor>Memory Ranges>Maximum Physical Address Size.

In the task scheduler go to \Microsoft\Windows\Setup and deactivate everything there.

Opera still works on Windows 8 (the latest version). Isn't Opera chrome-based too?

The only sure way is to not use them at all. There are ways to fight telemetry (e.g. O&O shutup Windows 10 - a helpful program) but you can never be sure that your system isn't "leaking".

Why not? on Windows 8 you can do it with disc manager or Diskpart (I don't take an oath for the OP OS, but he should have a look at it).

Which editor?

Maybe it has to do with the Android version, the newer the version the harder to have something working on it.

Don't forget that there is always the option of using a virtual machine for Windows 8 or any other legacy OS.

Doesn't Windows 10 have VSS enabled by default?