Poll Telemetry and Spy Features: Windows 10 vs Windows 11

[Zorro]

When Windows 10 was released, interested users wrote a lot of articles on the topic of surveillance, telemetry, etc., and concluded that there were much more telemetry and spy functions in 10 than there were in 7. Now the question is whether there are more spy functions and telemetry in 11 than in 10 or not? Are you struggling with telemetry? Do you use specialized programs for this?
Today I looked at the DNS server statistics, and saw that in a month my Windows 10 sends about 4,500 requests to various domains and Microsoft servers, taking into account the computer's Internet time, this is equivalent to 1 request every 5 minutes. At the same time, after looking at where exactly the most requests are sent, I saw that these are update servers and servers that are responsible for the so-called "family security", that is, they collect information about all work on the computer and on the Internet. Although I did not connect any functions for parental control, for tracking children, etc., since I do not need it, I do not understand why Microsoft collects it. I also don't understand why the system accesses the update servers EVERY 5 minutes (and almost every 3-5 minutes accesses the "family security" servers). Is 1 update check per day not enough?
And how are things in Windows 11?

 

[Digmor Crusher]

I turn off what I can in "Settings", that's about it, I really don't worry about it. I would not use a program specifically made for this such as O &O Shutup as imo these will eventually break your Windows if you tweak too much.

 

[ScandinavianFish]

I block everything that's not related to Windows Defender or updates.

 

[Marko :)]

I turn off what I can in "Settings", that's about it, I really don't worry about it. I would not use a program specifically made for this such as O &O Shutup as imo these will eventually break your Windows if you tweak too much.

Exactly! I used to be control freak when it came to Windows and telemetry. Nowadays, I just disable what I can through settings and maybe Group Policy Editor. Why did I stop messing with telemetry?

First of all, no matter what you block, Windows will always find a way to communicate with Microsoft servers. You may block one domain or IP, it will connect to another. Second, as Windows constantly makes requests in the background, every time you block a Microsoft's domain or IP, Windows will continue to send requests until they reach the destination. This entire process makes Windows slower because Windows components then have massive delays as they wait for the answer from server. I experienced this myself; Windows would literally sometimes hang as well as Microsoft related software. Those issues weren't present when I deactivated telemetry blockade.
And third, every few Windows Updates I had to run program for blocking telemetry again, because updates would sometimes mess the settings up and enable it again. So, I just gave up.

 

[plat]

I block Microsoft's advertising in Windows 10 via Winaero's firewall rules, which still seem to work somewhat. I enable full telemetry in Windows 11 due to Insider channel's requirements but I haven't been plagued with much of anything since I removed Edge browser from both systems.

 

[Shadowra]

I block what I can with O&O ShutUp and fine-tune as I wish with Win11 Privacy (I test on VM before applying, I'm crazy I know )

 

[I Walk MY Way]

I use hellzerg/optimizer it works, I did use Winaero's firewall rules but hellzerg is better I think.

Releases · hellzerg/optimizer

The finest Windows Optimizer. Contribute to hellzerg/optimizer development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[oldschool]

I use Windows Spy Blocker firewall rules and available OS settings, then call it a day.

 

[Nevi]

I dont think so much about it anymore, although it irritate me. I think they ,more or less, will get the info they want. So although I have been through a period with 0&0 Shut up, I stopped again. Damn Micro$oft.

 

[Nautilus]

I did some extensive tweaking to my windows 10 installation , to prevent microsoft from spying on me , and yes it is a huge utopia thinking that you cann stop all , but atleast I can rest assure , That I did my best :

- Deboated windows 10 with :

sycnex script
xtoolbox
o&o shutup 10
appbuster
various tweaks in settings etc. following the tech yes city guide

completely uninstalled windows defender from the system and registry
completely uninstalled windows edge from system and added prompts in the registry to prevent edge from installing again with future upgrades

use this tool :

Stop Windows 10 spying on you using just Windows Firewall

How to make telemetry servers to be blocked in Windows Firewall using the included script. This will stop Windows 10 from spying on you.

winaero.com

to add block rules to windows firewall to block windows / microsoft sending telemetry

 

[Ink]

Microsoft only put the “keylogger" in the Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO, which was removed in the general public release of Windows 10.

What I would do:

• Block the telemetry settings that can be accessed by the user through Windows settings.
• Utilise Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

What I would avoid:

• Use of 3rd-party anti-spy tool (misconfigurations can cause more damage)
• Being paranoid

Note: At the time of this post, I was not using Windows 11.

Today I looked at the DNS server statistics, and saw that in a month my Windows 10 sends about 4,500 requests to various domains and Microsoft servers, taking into account the computer's Internet time, this is equivalent to 1 request every 5 minutes. At the same time, after looking at where exactly the most requests are sent, I saw that these are update servers and servers that are responsible for the so-called "family security", that is, they collect information about all work on the computer and on the Internet.

Take a look at Hot Take - Windows 11 connection endpoints for non-Enterprise editions (Informational)

 

[Zorro]

Take a look at Hot Take - Windows 11 connection endpoints for non-Enterprise editions (Informational)

An interesting article, I looked through all of it, but I thought that getting into the registry so much would be just the same paranoia. I use the windows firewall in advanced security mode, disabling the settings in the available Privacy Settings in Windows and the Windows Spy Blocker list on the DNS server, where you can see all Windows connections in the statistics.

 

[jackuars]

So, I have a confession to make. Turns out, I've been playing a hilarious game of 'Spy vs. Spy' with Windows! They thought they were sneaky, spying on me all the time. But little did they know, I sometimes take a peek out of the window to catch a glimpse of the outside world. It's like a secret agent showdown happening right in my own living room! Shh, don't tell Windows, they might get jealous!

 

[TairikuOkami]

Not sure, what kind of discomfort/problems are you talking about? Disabling telemetry only makes it impossible to use Insider Beta/Dev. Insider RP channel works just fine.

P.S.: Though I have disabled Telemetry, I use MSA, OneDrive, Outlook email, Edge, Bing with Rewards.

 

[Spartan]

I use Windows Spy Blocker firewall rules and available OS settings, then call it a day.

do you think it still works? hasn't been updated in 3 years

 

[SpyNetGirl]

The fact that you are using Internet means some entity is spying on you.

 

[Alexai]

If someone wanna test, I add to the list windows decrapifier and privacysexy.

These tools show you the code they are modifying