Advice Request Favourite tool to block Telemetry and disable Tracking in Windows 10? [Poll]

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Microsoft. Google. Amazon. Apple all use telemetry for diagnostics and subtle in-OS ads to sell their products. Open-source does not give it the legal status.

But not every telemetry is bad by default. Like in Windows 10 where some telemetry is needed or Microsoft can't fix random user configuration setups.
A lot depends on privacy policy's and company behaviour.

Also OpenSource doesn't mean it's telemetry-free nor better. OpenSouce mostly switch the owner (fork) or just dies and get problem with man power/ maintaining the code and keep it up2date & secure and of course that's harder without telemetry - if possible at all

 

[SeriousHoax]

From my understanding it's Microsoft turning off Defender if another AV is detected, not the vendor. -- Please correct if wrong.

I think it's not so easy like that. The vendors needs to gain a certification or something like that to disable the WD and integrate it into Windows Security. It costs money also I guess. Without that, any tool that tries to disable WD is likely to be flagged by WD as malware or blocked by tamper protection from modification.

 

[show-Zi]

I used to use a spybot. I have only adjusted it in the setting since I moved to 10. I don't think it's completely blocked, but I think it's a price to get updates.
I think we should consider the possibility that vendors of software that blocks telemetry can collect information. It simply results in increasing the number of vendors gathering information.

 

[stefanos]

I used to use a spybot. I have only adjusted it in the setting since I moved to 10. I don't think it's completely blocked, but I think it's a price to get updates.
I think we should consider the possibility that vendors of software that blocks telemetry can collect information. It simply results in increasing the number of vendors gathering information.

And i use it. Is the best for windows 8.1

 

[Evjl's Rain]

I think the safest tool to use is OOshutup. When I used WPD or the customized scripts (by me to tweak previous windows versions), windows 10 2004 was incredibly unstable with many functions unusable
I reverted back to 1909 with OOshutup, it is much more stable now

 

[Marko :)]

"Other":
using Windows internal privacy settings

I used W10Privacy. However, I plan on just using Windows built-in settings whenever I make a clean install of 2004.

Same here. You can't change things regarding telemetry (it's being sent either way), but you can mess up entire OS with these programs.

But not every telemetry is bad by default. Like in Windows 10 where some telemetry is needed or Microsoft can't fix random user configuration setups.
A lot depends on privacy policy's and company behaviour.

Also OpenSource doesn't mean it's telemetry-free nor better. OpenSouce mostly switch the owner (fork) or just dies and get problem with man power/ maintaining the code and keep it up2date & secure and of course that's harder without telemetry - if possible at all

Exactly! But IMHO Microsoft should provide an option to opt-out of data collection. Looking back at all scandals Microsoft had regarding privacy, I don't find them trustworthy company.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Microsoft should provide an option to opt-out of data collection. Looking back at all scandals Microsoft had regarding privacy, I don't find them trustworthy company.

Well they provide a option..for enterprise.

I agree that they do some bad steps but most scandals are only misinformation and media hype.
That's why now such many anti-telemetry programs exist

 

[Marko :)]

Well they provide a option..for enterprise.

I agree that they do some bad steps but most scandals are only misinformation and media hype.
That's why now such many anti-telemetry programs exist

I wouldn't call all of them misinformation and media hype. For example, when Chromium Edge came, a security researcher found out that SmartScreen isn't as private as they claim because, along with the URL, UUID was collected too. That was actually serious security and the privacy issue.

Regarding "anti-telemetry" software, these are not just for privacy. Some of them, like O&O ShutUp10, offer a lot of things; from disabling web search in Start to disabling ads.

 

[show-Zi]

Well they provide a option..for enterprise.

I agree that they do some bad steps but most scandals are only misinformation and media hype.
That's why now such many anti-telemetry programs exist

I understand.
Fueling anxiety is effective in increasing demand, as can be seen in the Corona turmoil.

 

[bribon77]

I am using, O&O ShutUp10.
But this Windons telemetry thing, I think it has no solution, it's like a forest fire, it goes out on one side and lights up on another site.

 

[oldschool]

I am using, O&O ShutUp10.
But this Windons telemetry thing, I think it has no solution, it's like a forest fire, it goes out on one side and lights up on another site.

This is the truth. Windows keeps changing processes, settings, everything internal and these apps can barely keep up with them.

 

[show-Zi]

But this Windons telemetry thing, I think it has no solution, it's like a forest fire, it goes out on one side and lights up on another site.

This is the truth. Windows keeps changing processes, settings, everything internal and these apps can barely keep up with them.

It's an endurance battle. MS will continue to do so until the user is tired of the measures and gives up. And I guess it's working reasonably well.🏳

 

[oldschool]

MS will continue to do so until the user is tired of the measures and gives up.

There must be millions, maybe billions, of users who never even venture deep into settings. They are in so many nooks and crannies, like these

 

[bribon77]

We have to understand that Windows is closed source, nobody knows what is cooked there.

 

[South Park]

I just use the built-in settings, Telemetry set to Basic, everything else toggled off (handwriting recognition, etc.).

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

But this Windons telemetry thing, I think it has no solution, it's like a forest fire, it goes out on one side and lights up on another site.

Just read Microsoft privacy policy and config your settings like you want.
Microsoft list every used domain in their docs

 

[TairikuOkami]

Microsoft list every used domain in their docs

Indeed, I have even seen somewhere the list of all domains used for windows updates.

Manage connections from Windows 10 and Windows 11 Server/Enterprise editions operating system components to Microsoft services - Windows Privacy

Learn how to minimize connections from Windows to Microsoft services, and configure particular privacy settings related to these connections.

docs.microsoft.com

Policy CSP

Learn more about the Policy CSP.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[Marko :)]

Microsoft list every used domain in their docs

Can I get a link? I tried to find them, but I couldn't.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Can I get a link? I tried to find them, but I couldn't.

• Manage connections from Windows 10 operating system components to Microsoft services - Windows Privacy
• Connection endpoints for Windows 10 Enterprise, version 2004 - Windows Privacy
• https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-feedback-diagnostics-and-privacy
• Windows 10, version 2004 required diagnostic events and fields (Windows 10) - Windows Privacy
• Windows Privacy - Windows Privacy

 

[9724anon7537]

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O&O ShutUp10 and WPD are also good IMO