4 ms·

It just got closer to the other leading operating systems (iOS and Android). They claim that they need telemetry, which I find reasonable from a technical stand

It just got closer to the other leading operating systems (iOS and Android). They claim that they need telemetry, which I find reasonable from a technical standpoint. The lack of opt-out is annoying, however, given Microsoft's bad public image I think people would opt out in masses if they provided this option. So I don't think the data they send back is 'spyware' in the sense that they want to know more about you and then sell it or use it to sell other stuff to you. But I don't have proof. :)

restalis 11y ago
"The lack of opt-out is annoying" No, the lack of opt-out is suspect, and in this context the claimed "need for telemetry" is plain intelligence-insulting! What really is sought in this sadistic game from their part is the option of having greater power/control over the devices installed with their product. Stop giving them the benefit of the doubt about that!
criddell 11y ago
They need all that information for things like Cortana to do it's magic. For those of us that don't need or want Cortana (or Siri or OK Google) on the desktop, they shouldn't need my data. Telemetry after a crash or with regards to OS function usage seems OK to me, but I don't want my calendar, phone book, or email sent to the cloud for analysis. I don't see how small medical offices can use Windows anymore (big ones will use Enterprise Windows and shut all that stuff off). If the calendar and email are being sent to the cloud, then that sounds like a potential HIPAA violation. I don't understand why consumers can't easily disable all data sharing with Microsoft. I don't think Apple is as bad and now I'm thinking about buying my first Mac in a long time and running a VM for the few Windows applications I absolutely need.
- yuhong 11y ago
  I recommend that you read this: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt577208(v=vs.85).aspx https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt577208(v=vs.85...
  - criddell 11y ago
    That's pretty comprehensive. Thanks! I only have access to Windows 10 Pro and would like to turn off all personalization options. All I want my operating system to do is support the applications I want to run. I've found some of the Powershell scripts that do things like uninstall the XBox music app (or whatever it's called), but after an update it just reappears. It's very frustrating.
Silhouette 11y ago
So I don't think the data they send back is 'spyware' in the sense that they want to know more about you and then sell it or use it to sell other stuff to you. Unfortunately, given that the other sting in Windows 10 is automatic, compulsory updates, even if your hypothesis is true today there is no guarantee it will remain true tomorrow. I'm a little sad about the whole Windows 10 situation, really. From the more credible commentary I've read now that the dust has settled, it seems like a reasonable OS under the hood. It also seems like with enough effort you could mitigate or work around the worst of what is there, maybe even in some of the non-Enterprise versions. However, those privacy and control issues are complete deal-breakers for me. Recent behaviour by Microsoft has abused the Windows update mechanism for earlier versions that I do use, and it has also included a disturbing number of outright broken updates. Unlike a surprising number of professional reviewers, I am therefore not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt any longer. If I can't turn things off reliably on my own computer if I don't want them to happen, and I can't trust that questionable things will be opt-in instead of opt-out, then unfortunately none of the rest matters very much for either my own personal or my businesses' professional purchasing decisions.
- at-fates-hands 11y ago
  >> If I can't turn things off reliably on my own computer if I don't want them to happen, and I can't trust that questionable things will be opt-in instead of opt-out It seems to me MS is simply going to the "let us take care of your system, we know what's best for you" approach - which is not only insulting, but highly suspect. When you make using an OS compulsory on several fronts (many of which I can't control), I really have to ask myself if I should try making a move to a more open, more secure OS.
  - yuhong 11y ago
    Yea, I think it is called "Windows as a service".
  - Silhouette 11y ago
    In the case of updates, I wouldn't mind so much if they had them on-by-default for security and stability updates, because that will usually be the best choice for users who don't know any better. However, preventing power users and small businesses from controlling their own systems even if they want to is quite a different thing, and of course it makes a difference only if Microsoft want you to have something that you actively do not want.

restalis 11y ago

"The lack of opt-out is annoying" No, the lack of opt-out is suspect, and in this context the claimed "need for telemetry" is plain intelligence-insulting! What really is sought in this sadistic game from their part is the option of having greater power/control over the devices installed with their product. Stop giving them the benefit of the doubt about that!

criddell 11y ago

They need all that information for things like Cortana to do it's magic. For those of us that don't need or want Cortana (or Siri or OK Google) on the desktop, they shouldn't need my data. Telemetry after a crash or with regards to OS function usage seems OK to me, but I don't want my calendar, phone book, or email sent to the cloud for analysis. I don't see how small medical offices can use Windows anymore (big ones will use Enterprise Windows and shut all that stuff off). If the calendar and email are being sent to the cloud, then that sounds like a potential HIPAA violation. I don't understand why consumers can't easily disable all data sharing with Microsoft. I don't think Apple is as bad and now I'm thinking about buying my first Mac in a long time and running a VM for the few Windows applications I absolutely need.

yuhong 11y ago
I recommend that you read this: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt577208(v=vs.85).aspx https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt577208(v=vs.85...
- criddell 11y ago
  That's pretty comprehensive. Thanks! I only have access to Windows 10 Pro and would like to turn off all personalization options. All I want my operating system to do is support the applications I want to run. I've found some of the Powershell scripts that do things like uninstall the XBox music app (or whatever it's called), but after an update it just reappears. It's very frustrating.

Silhouette 11y ago

So I don't think the data they send back is 'spyware' in the sense that they want to know more about you and then sell it or use it to sell other stuff to you. Unfortunately, given that the other sting in Windows 10 is automatic, compulsory updates, even if your hypothesis is true today there is no guarantee it will remain true tomorrow. I'm a little sad about the whole Windows 10 situation, really. From the more credible commentary I've read now that the dust has settled, it seems like a reasonable OS under the hood. It also seems like with enough effort you could mitigate or work around the worst of what is there, maybe even in some of the non-Enterprise versions. However, those privacy and control issues are complete deal-breakers for me. Recent behaviour by Microsoft has abused the Windows update mechanism for earlier versions that I do use, and it has also included a disturbing number of outright broken updates. Unlike a surprising number of professional reviewers, I am therefore not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt any longer. If I can't turn things off reliably on my own computer if I don't want them to happen, and I can't trust that questionable things will be opt-in instead of opt-out, then unfortunately none of the rest matters very much for either my own personal or my businesses' professional purchasing decisions.

at-fates-hands 11y ago
>> If I can't turn things off reliably on my own computer if I don't want them to happen, and I can't trust that questionable things will be opt-in instead of opt-out It seems to me MS is simply going to the "let us take care of your system, we know what's best for you" approach - which is not only insulting, but highly suspect. When you make using an OS compulsory on several fronts (many of which I can't control), I really have to ask myself if I should try making a move to a more open, more secure OS.
- yuhong 11y ago
  Yea, I think it is called "Windows as a service".
- Silhouette 11y ago
  In the case of updates, I wouldn't mind so much if they had them on-by-default for security and stability updates, because that will usually be the best choice for users who don't know any better. However, preventing power users and small businesses from controlling their own systems even if they want to is quite a different thing, and of course it makes a difference only if Microsoft want you to have something that you actively do not want.