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I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Wind

I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install". I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that I turned off (all on by default) before I felt comfortable using the OS. (Examples: send all search words back to MS, tie advertising info to your Windows account, etc etc) I'm assuming most users would chose the "Express Install" without even wondering about what data they were sending back to MS.

tedunangst 11y ago
Ironic that your other choice is Ubuntu. They pioneered sending back all your search terms (to Amazon).
- samspenc 11y ago
  Yes, I make sure to turn off that first thing when I run Ubuntu. :)
- ekianjo 11y ago
  > They pioneered sending back all your search terms (to Amazon). You don't have to use Unity to use Ubuntu. There is an abundant choice of WMs on Linux. And besides, even if you had this turned on, it's about nothing compared to what Microsoft does.
electic 11y ago
I agree. I was quite shocked myself and I also found the descriptions vague. I wasn't even sure what programs are accessing the data. I really think iOS is the only OS has really done permissions right on the 3rd party level and on the OS level.
- anonbanker 11y ago
  A linux distro with sane defaults, robust wine scripts, and no personal information compromises, that is easy to install, could take over the world. I vote KaOS as the base: http://kaosx.us http://kaosx.us
  - electic 11y ago
    This looks really good, will give it a spin. Thanks for the heads up!
  - dublinben 11y ago
    In my experience, Debian is easier to install than a recent version of Windows. I think it's an excellent choice for almost everyone.
    - anonbanker 11y ago
      I would have said Debian up to the whole Jessie debacle with systemd and abandoning core precepts. Now I have to recommend a different base. I've never done a graphical debian install. how does it compare to KaOS?
jerrac 11y ago
Have you run into any articles that detail exactly what is captured and sent off of your computer? Has Microsoft release more than just a little bit of information on what they use that info for? Not just what the setting screen and privacy policy say.
- jlgaddis 11y ago
  It will be impossible to know and/or verify what they're actually sending. Even if they told us exactly what the data contains, though, who will believe them? Besides, we already know what they'll say: they'll use it for debugging and troubleshooting, to make the products better, and to enhance your user experience. In certain circumstances, they may share the data -- but only with their trusted partners, of course. In no way, however, will they use it for anything "evil".
  - ams6110 11y ago
    For that matter, it's really just a matter of faith that the settings completely disable the sending of this information (or disable it at all).
    - jerrac 11y ago
      Yep. Sadly, the only way to be one hundred percent sure your data is private is to keep it in your head. Even building your own chipsets and other components doesn't protect from physical access. So we have to choose who to trust. Currently, that's not Microsoft. If they open sourced, or at least made the code visible, Windows, I'd be a lot happier. 'Course, then I'd have to trust that the people reviewing the code knew what they were doing. Since I'd not spend the time to review the code myself....
  - jerrac 11y ago
    I don't think it's impossible. Can't you intercept the traffic via a router or something to see what's in it? "...what they'll say..." They already said that in their privacy policy. I was wondering if they had released more details. Like "We record your voice commands and add them to a database of millions of other people making the same command so Cortana can understand people better." And, "Our voice interpretation service is provided by a trusted partner. They signed a contract that requires they take this step and this step to keep your data secure."
PaulKeeble 11y ago
It is actually a very similar list to that seen in Windows 8. Windows 8 was a little bit more sneaky however, when you chose custom they were all disabled but if you select express they were enabled. You haven't done all the things necessary to defend your privacy yet, Windows 10 has spread this stuff all over the operating system, its all enabled by default and you need to find it all.
- sdrinf 11y ago
  Is there a checklist available on the settings people might perceive as privacy violation, their operational implication, and howto disable it?
  - broham 11y ago
    This is one of the better ones I've seen: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-privacy-settings/ http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-privac...
  - mendelk 11y ago
    I've seen this posted before, though I can't vouch for its quality: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how_to_disable_data_logging_in_w10/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how...
captainmuon 11y ago
Most of these settings are probably related to Cortana (the new Siri/Google Now like feature in Windows 10). These kind of tools that suggest information to you only really work if they have your search and location information. If you turn those options off, I guess the only thing that will be affected will be Cortana. Also, the thing where apps may share a common advertising ID? Sounds invasive, but is actually a tiny step towards more privacy: before, apps (i.e. desktop programs) could access basically any information on your PC: Your name, your address if you entered it anywhere, your contact list, possibly your position. Nowadays, "Modern" apps can only identify you via an pseudonymous ID (if you allow it), unless they have the proper permissions. What does annoy me is that they still obscure these settings, and fail to explain what exactly they are for. At least they made it a bit more obvious in Windows 10 that you can use it without creating a Microsoft account (using a local account). There is a saying in Germany: Nothing is eaten as hot as it is cooked.

tedunangst 11y ago

Ironic that your other choice is Ubuntu. They pioneered sending back all your search terms (to Amazon).

samspenc 11y ago
Yes, I make sure to turn off that first thing when I run Ubuntu. :)
ekianjo 11y ago
> They pioneered sending back all your search terms (to Amazon). You don't have to use Unity to use Ubuntu. There is an abundant choice of WMs on Linux. And besides, even if you had this turned on, it's about nothing compared to what Microsoft does.

electic 11y ago

I agree. I was quite shocked myself and I also found the descriptions vague. I wasn't even sure what programs are accessing the data. I really think iOS is the only OS has really done permissions right on the 3rd party level and on the OS level.

anonbanker 11y ago
A linux distro with sane defaults, robust wine scripts, and no personal information compromises, that is easy to install, could take over the world. I vote KaOS as the base: http://kaosx.us http://kaosx.us
- electic 11y ago
  This looks really good, will give it a spin. Thanks for the heads up!
- dublinben 11y ago
  In my experience, Debian is easier to install than a recent version of Windows. I think it's an excellent choice for almost everyone.
  - anonbanker 11y ago
    I would have said Debian up to the whole Jessie debacle with systemd and abandoning core precepts. Now I have to recommend a different base. I've never done a graphical debian install. how does it compare to KaOS?

jerrac 11y ago

Have you run into any articles that detail exactly what is captured and sent off of your computer? Has Microsoft release more than just a little bit of information on what they use that info for? Not just what the setting screen and privacy policy say.

jlgaddis 11y ago
It will be impossible to know and/or verify what they're actually sending. Even if they told us exactly what the data contains, though, who will believe them? Besides, we already know what they'll say: they'll use it for debugging and troubleshooting, to make the products better, and to enhance your user experience. In certain circumstances, they may share the data -- but only with their trusted partners, of course. In no way, however, will they use it for anything "evil".
- ams6110 11y ago
  For that matter, it's really just a matter of faith that the settings completely disable the sending of this information (or disable it at all).
  - jerrac 11y ago
    Yep. Sadly, the only way to be one hundred percent sure your data is private is to keep it in your head. Even building your own chipsets and other components doesn't protect from physical access. So we have to choose who to trust. Currently, that's not Microsoft. If they open sourced, or at least made the code visible, Windows, I'd be a lot happier. 'Course, then I'd have to trust that the people reviewing the code knew what they were doing. Since I'd not spend the time to review the code myself....
- jerrac 11y ago
  I don't think it's impossible. Can't you intercept the traffic via a router or something to see what's in it? "...what they'll say..." They already said that in their privacy policy. I was wondering if they had released more details. Like "We record your voice commands and add them to a database of millions of other people making the same command so Cortana can understand people better." And, "Our voice interpretation service is provided by a trusted partner. They signed a contract that requires they take this step and this step to keep your data secure."

PaulKeeble 11y ago

It is actually a very similar list to that seen in Windows 8. Windows 8 was a little bit more sneaky however, when you chose custom they were all disabled but if you select express they were enabled. You haven't done all the things necessary to defend your privacy yet, Windows 10 has spread this stuff all over the operating system, its all enabled by default and you need to find it all.

sdrinf 11y ago
Is there a checklist available on the settings people might perceive as privacy violation, their operational implication, and howto disable it?
- broham 11y ago
  This is one of the better ones I've seen: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-privacy-settings/ http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-privac...
- mendelk 11y ago
  I've seen this posted before, though I can't vouch for its quality: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how_to_disable_data_logging_in_w10/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how...

captainmuon 11y ago

Most of these settings are probably related to Cortana (the new Siri/Google Now like feature in Windows 10). These kind of tools that suggest information to you only really work if they have your search and location information. If you turn those options off, I guess the only thing that will be affected will be Cortana. Also, the thing where apps may share a common advertising ID? Sounds invasive, but is actually a tiny step towards more privacy: before, apps (i.e. desktop programs) could access basically any information on your PC: Your name, your address if you entered it anywhere, your contact list, possibly your position. Nowadays, "Modern" apps can only identify you via an pseudonymous ID (if you allow it), unless they have the proper permissions. What does annoy me is that they still obscure these settings, and fail to explain what exactly they are for. At least they made it a bit more obvious in Windows 10 that you can use it without creating a Microsoft account (using a local account). There is a saying in Germany: Nothing is eaten as hot as it is cooked.