7 ms·

The extremetech link[0] given in the answer is probably more generally interesting. That article also explains how to access the MS Diagnostic Dataviewer which

The extremetech link[0] given in the answer is probably more generally interesting. That article also explains how to access the MS Diagnostic Dataviewer which allows you to explore the collected data after you switch it on (from the Settings app go to Privacy -> Diagnostic & feedback). It also links to Microsoft's explicit listing of everything that they might collect for basic diagnostics[1]. Of course Microsoft could be lying but in that case you shouldn't be using their OS. To borrow a phrase: They have root. If you don't trust them then you don't trust your PC. [0] https://www.extremetech.com/computing/247311-microsoft-finally-reveals-exactly-telemetry-windows-10-collects-pc https://www.extremetech.com/computing/247311-microsoft-final... [1] https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/privacy/basic-level-windows-diagnostic-events-and-fields-1809 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/privacy/basic-level...

bjpbakker 8y ago
That _long_ list is limited to the "basic level" telemetry data and does not include e.g. automatic sample documents that Defender sends by default (those include you actual documents). Microsoft proves over and over again that they are not trust worthy. I agree you shouldn't be using their OS, but sadly many people don't consider this a choice since it comes pre-installed on most PCs.
- ChrisSD 8y ago
  As far as I'm aware Defender will not send documents without prompting you first.
- honestoHeminway 8y ago
  Its definatly not the installation. Its simply that linux is not a competetive offer - yes, even for free. My mum got linux pre installed on a laptop. She was not happy. As in- her software did not run, the user-experience she had was worthless and it all boiled down to reducing a laptop to a doorstopper. So off it went, and windows 10 came back. Maybe, just maybe, making a good desktop is really hard and microsoft set the standards, that all those amateurs cant adhere too. And thats why they get away with it.
Wowfunhappy 8y ago
> but in that case you shouldn't be using their OS. To borrow a phrase: They have root. If you don't trust them then you don't trust your PC. Is this really an option? I'd posit that even many hardcore Linux folk keep a Windows partition, VM, or secondary PC around.
- tachyonbeam 8y ago
  I’ve been windows-free for 10 years. It’s really not so hard if you use a common distro like Ubuntu. Yes there are occasional glitches but, I’ve had to install windows 8 for my mom recently, and windows update was broken out of the box...
  - Wowfunhappy 8y ago
    Note I said "many", I know there are exceptions! It also largely depends on what you use your computer for. If you need even occasional access to Photoshop, for example, you're going to need Windows or macOS (or maybe iOS, I guess). GIMP might work sometimes, but not always.
    - EngineerBetter 8y ago
      Anecdata point: I managed to make a commercial 2D platform game with GIMP. It's pretty powerful, even if the usability is not as good.
  - martin_a 8y ago
    > It’s really not so hard if you use a common distro like Ubuntu. I hate this "argument". I am running Ubuntu myself for half a year now but there is no chance to get Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud to run smoothly on Ubuntu. You will absolutely need macOS or Windows for that. And lots of people need professional applications like those to earn money. Not everybody can be happy and good to go with $texteditor and a bash.
    - larrik 8y ago
      It's funny, Adobe's Suite is so bad for your computer. Every time I build a computer for my wife, it runs amazing until I install that shit on there. Then, nothing ever works quite right on it again.
lawnchair_larry 8y ago
That isn’t a list of everything. “Basic” telemetry sends up everything in the “Security” list, plus the things on this page. They don’t publish what’s in the “Security” level or why they send it.
mnm1 8y ago
> If you don't trust them then you don't trust your PC. This is absolutely the core of the problem with windows and Microsoft. Of course I don't trust Microsoft or any other third party. In addition, I don't trust any government, including our own. Even if I trust Microsoft, once the info is on their servers, any government agency can easily access it. Same thing with third party companies that Microsoft might sell the data to. So to clarify, if you don't trust Microsoft, or you don't trust any of their partners, or you don't trust your government or any government in the world that Microsoft is subject to the jurisdiction thereof, then you don't trust your windows pc. That's a lot of trust that no logical person would ever have. Incredible how Microsoft managed to pull this off and convince millions to just open up their computers to so many untrustworthy organizations in the world. It goes without saying that a company like this is untrustworthy, hiding behind legalese and lies.

bjpbakker 8y ago

That _long_ list is limited to the "basic level" telemetry data and does not include e.g. automatic sample documents that Defender sends by default (those include you actual documents). Microsoft proves over and over again that they are not trust worthy. I agree you shouldn't be using their OS, but sadly many people don't consider this a choice since it comes pre-installed on most PCs.

ChrisSD 8y ago
As far as I'm aware Defender will not send documents without prompting you first.
honestoHeminway 8y ago
Its definatly not the installation. Its simply that linux is not a competetive offer - yes, even for free. My mum got linux pre installed on a laptop. She was not happy. As in- her software did not run, the user-experience she had was worthless and it all boiled down to reducing a laptop to a doorstopper. So off it went, and windows 10 came back. Maybe, just maybe, making a good desktop is really hard and microsoft set the standards, that all those amateurs cant adhere too. And thats why they get away with it.

Wowfunhappy 8y ago

> but in that case you shouldn't be using their OS. To borrow a phrase: They have root. If you don't trust them then you don't trust your PC. Is this really an option? I'd posit that even many hardcore Linux folk keep a Windows partition, VM, or secondary PC around.

tachyonbeam 8y ago
I’ve been windows-free for 10 years. It’s really not so hard if you use a common distro like Ubuntu. Yes there are occasional glitches but, I’ve had to install windows 8 for my mom recently, and windows update was broken out of the box...
- Wowfunhappy 8y ago
  Note I said "many", I know there are exceptions! It also largely depends on what you use your computer for. If you need even occasional access to Photoshop, for example, you're going to need Windows or macOS (or maybe iOS, I guess). GIMP might work sometimes, but not always.
  - EngineerBetter 8y ago
    Anecdata point: I managed to make a commercial 2D platform game with GIMP. It's pretty powerful, even if the usability is not as good.
- martin_a 8y ago
  > It’s really not so hard if you use a common distro like Ubuntu. I hate this "argument". I am running Ubuntu myself for half a year now but there is no chance to get Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud to run smoothly on Ubuntu. You will absolutely need macOS or Windows for that. And lots of people need professional applications like those to earn money. Not everybody can be happy and good to go with $texteditor and a bash.
  - larrik 8y ago
    It's funny, Adobe's Suite is so bad for your computer. Every time I build a computer for my wife, it runs amazing until I install that shit on there. Then, nothing ever works quite right on it again.

lawnchair_larry 8y ago

That isn’t a list of everything. “Basic” telemetry sends up everything in the “Security” list, plus the things on this page. They don’t publish what’s in the “Security” level or why they send it.

mnm1 8y ago

> If you don't trust them then you don't trust your PC. This is absolutely the core of the problem with windows and Microsoft. Of course I don't trust Microsoft or any other third party. In addition, I don't trust any government, including our own. Even if I trust Microsoft, once the info is on their servers, any government agency can easily access it. Same thing with third party companies that Microsoft might sell the data to. So to clarify, if you don't trust Microsoft, or you don't trust any of their partners, or you don't trust your government or any government in the world that Microsoft is subject to the jurisdiction thereof, then you don't trust your windows pc. That's a lot of trust that no logical person would ever have. Incredible how Microsoft managed to pull this off and convince millions to just open up their computers to so many untrustworthy organizations in the world. It goes without saying that a company like this is untrustworthy, hiding behind legalese and lies.