Using Windows 10? Microsoft Is Watching—and Collecting Data

One thing I noticed in all those news about Windows 10 privacy is that they mix the Service Agreement for all Microsoft services (like Bing, MSN or OneDrive) with the Windows 10 agreement. I did read the Windows 10 agreement, accepted it and turned off all the things I am not interested in. I also use a local account, so no MS account that falls under the general Service Agreement.

1. It's not a secret.
2. You can turn it off any time you want.
3. It came with an update if the user clicked that he wants W10 after the last update (one month ago).
4. W10 is free because Microsoft will analyze data and sell Ads.

It's a win-win and finally Windows that I like a lot.

to turn off windows 10 update and get rid of annoying icon in the bottom right of the screen...

Go to Windows Update. Click on Installed Updates. Search for and find (KB303583). Right click on it. Choose uninstall. Confirm. Restart.

Microsoft will keep pushing it as an Important Update. Your computer probably has been set to install important updates automatically. Change this. Go to Windows update. Change settings. Choose Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them. Uncheck KB3035583 so it is not installed every time they try and send it to you.

this may have been posted already I admittedly didn't read thru all the reply's

originally posted by: SgtHamsandwich

I mean really? Who gives a crap. I use my computer to surf facebook, ats, and porn. If Microsoft want's to send me some suggestions for some new porn based on my preferences then I'm cool with that.

Only thing that erks me really, is I wish I was getting a small check cut my way for some of that data. I would like a piece of that pie since I put the time in to provide it.

it's people like you who encourage companies like fb, google and microsoft to legally spy on people.
if you want your private data in the hands of someone else, fine, go on.
but those companies should stay the hell out of my privacy and any other's who cares and sees the dangerous implications that comes with it!

originally posted by: Nyiah
a reply to: bananashooter

Pretty much agree here, they're more than likely going to make a killing off selling the info. If you're going to keep using Windows and don't want your info to be a commodity, then you need to be a proactive user and learn how to prevent that.
Others will switch & use other OSs, that's fine. I might give Linux another shake someday, but I was less than impressed with it the last time I tried it -- too much stuff broke or had compatibility problems for me. I understand it's improved a great deal, but I'm not yet confident enough that it's fully compatible with everything I have installed.

It is not possible to turn off all the data collection functions. The EULA says as much,

"Privacy; Consent to Use of Data. Your privacy is important to us. Some of the software features send or receive information when using those features. Many of these features can be switched off in the user interface, or you can choose not to use them. By accepting this agreement and using the software you agree that Microsoft may collect, use, and disclose the information as described in the Microsoft Privacy Statement (aka.ms/privacy), and as may be described in the user interface associated with the software features."

It says "Many of these features can be switched off". It does not say all. If Microsoft are using that word in a legal document it will mean exactly that.

I tried Linux, but had too many issues with it. As a Windows 10 user I switched off all I could regarding data collection and sharing during install. The rest I will have to make do with. I am no fan of this being forced on me with no opt out as they make money out of it. If it was used to better the software or as algorithms for advancing future technology I would not mind.

"Your privacy is important to us". LMAO! I bet it is. Like $$$$$$$ important.

The Windows 10 update can be reverted back to the previous version in the first 30 days after being installed.

a reply to: Revolution9

After install go to privacy settings and turn off the all of the options that weren't showed during the instalation.

Without a doubt Linux is the way.
to flya reply to: LunaticPandora

originally posted by: baburak
a reply to: Revolution9

After install go to privacy settings and turn off the all of the options that weren't showed during the instalation.

Thank you very much. I found loads of functions there in the "on" position even though I opted out of everything when installed.

Cheers!

a reply to: SgtHamsandwich

snap.
i love it.
that simple pic made me literally lol

chiggity check yoself before you wreck yoself
i come real stealth
im bad for yo health
i drop bombs on yo moms
F car alarms

hahahahahahahaha

remember that?

language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

originally posted by: gimcrackery
Without a doubt Linux is the way.
to flya reply to: LunaticPandora

Just waiting for everyone else to catch up.

You can run Windows games in Linux. Beyond gaming, Linux does everything Windows does, except faster, more secure, and more efficiently. The OS is stable. I have been running several programs for 17 days straight on my Debian laptop, to include a media server for my home.

Windows can't do that without crashing. I'm confident that I can run my system for a few years and only shut it down to clean out the dust.

originally posted by: LunaticPandora
Windows can't do that without crashing. I'm confident that I can run my system for a few years and only shut it down to clean out the dust.

It can, I haven't had a software-caused crash for several years, and my home computer and the two at work are never shut down.

I think MS competing with Google with Windows 10 update, they are giving away free software in return for Ad revenue. The problem is majority of the people who uses windows 10 doesn't know how to turn off all these adware/spyware. My main issue is that local files are not yours anymore.

Advertisers will know exactly who you are - Windows 10 generates a unique advertising ID for each user on each device. That can be used by developers and ad networks to profile you. Again, you can turn this off in settings,

Windows 10: Here are the privacy issues you should know about

originally posted by: VimanaExplorer
My main issue is that local files are not yours anymore.

Where did you saw that?

a reply to: ArMaP

We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.

It is from this link -> Windows 10: Here are the privacy issues you should know about. See the bold text.

a reply to: VimanaExplorer

yeah. great. yet another stinkin' pile of FUD.

www.microsoft.com...

that's from there - general microsoft privacy policy, so it governs ALL microsoft software and services, including earlier windows versions - at least that's how it looks for me.

it has nothing to do with windows 10 directly, but lets throw some crap and see what sticks, right?

outright panic because for example microsoft dares to inform you that some of the software may connect to their servers and send some data, is even more silly. how is an email client supposed to work for example? skype? ever used windows phone? figured already what all that synchronization is for? you know that when they're talking about accessing your email, they mean their own email service, for example like your @outlook.com account, right? how is doing that to keep your email working at all, or to comply with the law, worse than for example google scanning your email contents to throw ads at you?

people, just get some break. go read apple's policies, google's policies, then scratch your head and think twice before repeating nonsense.

and no, for almost any regular (non-technical) user, linux is NOT an option. as a server admin and programmer with years of experience with all popular and some less known operating systems, i can guarantee you that. you may do some web browsing, media playback and document editing, some more advanced stuff - if the software you need exists, even gaming looks better and better under linux, but unless you're someone that never, ever, does something new, there's always that inevitable moment when you'll need some piece of software or hardware working and linux just won't cut it. if it wouldn't be the case, i would be using linux myself - unfortunately it's sooner or later leading to a moment where, instead of getting the work done, you're wasting your time solving some problem that you wouldn't even have if you wouldn't be using linux in the first place. it's, sadly, just not popular enough, otherwise such problems wouldn't exist.

so no, i don't trust microsoft. i just happen to trust google and apple even less.
and on the other hand, i need to get my work done. if all you're using your computer for is browsing conspiracy sites, go ahead, linux awaits. otherwise, well. thinking what you're doing usually helps.

and a sidenote about bitlocker and its key being uploaded to onedrive - one has to be an idiot to use bitlocker as a secure solution. only truecrypt, the last working version before it was shut down.

a reply to: Nyiah

Windows is closed source, alot of things are not in the registry and are built inside the code itself. Nothing you can do about it.

edit - there is something you can do about it and that is not to use Windows as your operating system.

a reply to: jedi_hamster

The issue is that, data is synced by default -( Sign into Windows with your Microsoft account and the operating system immediately syncs settings and data to the company’s server), you can turn it off , but out of billions of users, how many you think will know to turn off this features ?

and if you read windows specific privacy policy, it is even more scary -> Privacy & Cookies

Microsoft collects and uses data about your speech, inking (handwriting), and typing on Windows devices to help improve and personalize our ability to correctly recognize your input.

originally posted by: VimanaExplorer
a reply to: jedi_hamster

The issue is that, data is synced by default -( Sign into Windows with your Microsoft account and the operating system immediately syncs settings and data to the company’s server), you can turn it off , but out of billions of users, how many you think will know to turn off this features ?

Why would you? Your data and info is encrypted. They don't need to sync your settings and personal data to get info on you. We've been giving it to them for years since hotmail launched. You've already been profiled by ms and also google. Years ago already.

originally posted by: RMFX1

originally posted by: VimanaExplorer
a reply to: jedi_hamster

The issue is that, data is synced by default -( Sign into Windows with your Microsoft account and the operating system immediately syncs settings and data to the company’s server), you can turn it off , but out of billions of users, how many you think will know to turn off this features ?

Why would you? Your data and info is encrypted. They don't need to sync your settings and personal data to get info on you. We've been giving it to them for years since hotmail launched. You've already been profiled by ms and also google. Years ago already.

Sorry I was editing when you replied, I added following. The issue is that, Windows collects every input you make in device (via voice, keyboard, camera etc) not just saved text files. I agreed, they have been doing it forever, but since most of us are agreeing to this 'new' terms, you have no protection in court.

Microsoft collects and uses data about your speech, inking (handwriting), and typing on Windows devices to help improve and personalize our ability to correctly recognize your input.