Notes
Possible problems when using such privacy software
1) Blocking Windows Update, making updating Windows impossible and preventing you from patching important security updates, making your computer vulnerable.
2) Possible synchronizing problem with backups, Skype and many more apps that uses the ‘Host Files’ feature.
3) Breaking Windows Store, making it impossible to update apps or verify the license.
4) Disabling the Windows Defender antivirus, which helps keep Windows 10 secure, and other system components you may actually want, like OneDrive.
User needs to know that the settings in the software can be changed under the following situations
1) When there’s a major update by Microsoft or any other minor updates that can affect the settings
2) The applied privacy settings can be affected if the system is restored to a point prior to the application of the software’s privacy settings
With those in mind users are required to always lookout for the latest version of the software, re-apply the settings when necessary and be mindful when performing a system restore.
Spybot Anti-Beacon (v3)
Pros
1) Simple GUI and easy to use
2) Provides different levels of immunization e.g. None, Minimal, Recommended & Full.
3) Allow enabling/disabling of individual item(s) in each level of immunization
4) Has a pdf manual to explain what items are being blocked
Cons
1) No provision to remove apps from Windows Store
2) No provision to control Windows updates
3) Not very detail in other blocking aspects as compared to say O&O Shut Up 10, WPD, Win10Privacy etc
4) The program checks the current settings of the system on start and displays its findings in the interface. It won’t show the original settings by the user after using the software.
5) No backup/restore feature for settings by the user
6) Need to install software
A simple, minimalist and safe software useful for beginners. It’s also useful if you have no need to defer or prevent Windows from automatic updating.
O&O Shut Up 10
Pros
1) Suitable for those who want more granular privacy control
2) Has different levels like ‘Apply only Recommended settings’, ‘Recommended and somewhat recommended settings’, ‘Apply all settings’ and Undo all changes (“factory settings”)
3) Provides detailed explanation of each item to be blocked
4) Blocked more items than Spybot Anti-Beacon. This can be shown when you run O&O Shut Up 10 after running Spybot Anti-Beacon with ‘Full’ settings
5) Has provision to defer/not to automatic update Windows
6) Can show original user privacy level settings on start up and with its Undo all changes (“factory settings”)
7) Can import/export the settings
8) No need software installation as its portable
9) Warns on critical settings
Cons
1) No provision to remove apps from Windows Store
2) Cannot use Windows firewall rules to block outgoing traffic
3) It has an ‘Apply all settings’ which, although convenient, can be risky to use. User needs to know what those settings imply.
Win10Privacy
Pros
1) Many more settings than O&O Shut Up 10
2) Provision to uninstall apps from Windows store
3) Can disable outgoing traffic using Windows firewall rules. Great for users using the default Windows firewall
4) Can save/load the settings
5) No need software installation as its portable
6) Warnings (in different colors) on applying the different settings.
7) No ‘Apply all settings’ feature. This is to prevent accidental enabling of all settings and become a risk to the user. Each setting has to be individually enabled/disabled.
Cons
1) Slow to start up
2) Show original user privacy level settings on start up but settings need to be saved as a file and reloaded later, if needed.
3) Not every item comes with an explanation when you mouse over them
This software is for the expert and is very useful for those using the default Windows firewall rules to block outgoing traffic.
Despite turning OFF most of the settings in the Privacy section in Windows there are still many which need to be disabled for a better user privacy against data collection by MS. To prevent 100% data collection by MS is impossible!
Instead of digging deep into Windows (see below link) to disable some features such privacy tool software provide a convenient means of achieving this. Some of the features listed above are not needed or can be accomplished as follows:
1) If you are NOT using the default Windows firewall then the firewall feature is not needed
2) Uninstallation of apps from Windows store can be done through Windows itself
Windows 10 Privacy Guide - Spring Creators Update
Many more of such privacy tools can be found here
Comparison of Windows 10 Privacy tools - gHacks Tech News
Possible problems when using such privacy software
1) Blocking Windows Update, making updating Windows impossible and preventing you from patching important security updates, making your computer vulnerable.
2) Possible synchronizing problem with backups, Skype and many more apps that uses the ‘Host Files’ feature.
3) Breaking Windows Store, making it impossible to update apps or verify the license.
4) Disabling the Windows Defender antivirus, which helps keep Windows 10 secure, and other system components you may actually want, like OneDrive.
User needs to know that the settings in the software can be changed under the following situations
1) When there’s a major update by Microsoft or any other minor updates that can affect the settings
2) The applied privacy settings can be affected if the system is restored to a point prior to the application of the software’s privacy settings
With those in mind users are required to always lookout for the latest version of the software, re-apply the settings when necessary and be mindful when performing a system restore.
Spybot Anti-Beacon (v3)
Pros
1) Simple GUI and easy to use
2) Provides different levels of immunization e.g. None, Minimal, Recommended & Full.
3) Allow enabling/disabling of individual item(s) in each level of immunization
4) Has a pdf manual to explain what items are being blocked
Cons
1) No provision to remove apps from Windows Store
2) No provision to control Windows updates
3) Not very detail in other blocking aspects as compared to say O&O Shut Up 10, WPD, Win10Privacy etc
4) The program checks the current settings of the system on start and displays its findings in the interface. It won’t show the original settings by the user after using the software.
5) No backup/restore feature for settings by the user
6) Need to install software
A simple, minimalist and safe software useful for beginners. It’s also useful if you have no need to defer or prevent Windows from automatic updating.
O&O Shut Up 10
Pros
1) Suitable for those who want more granular privacy control
2) Has different levels like ‘Apply only Recommended settings’, ‘Recommended and somewhat recommended settings’, ‘Apply all settings’ and Undo all changes (“factory settings”)
3) Provides detailed explanation of each item to be blocked
4) Blocked more items than Spybot Anti-Beacon. This can be shown when you run O&O Shut Up 10 after running Spybot Anti-Beacon with ‘Full’ settings
5) Has provision to defer/not to automatic update Windows
6) Can show original user privacy level settings on start up and with its Undo all changes (“factory settings”)
7) Can import/export the settings
8) No need software installation as its portable
9) Warns on critical settings
Cons
1) No provision to remove apps from Windows Store
2) Cannot use Windows firewall rules to block outgoing traffic
3) It has an ‘Apply all settings’ which, although convenient, can be risky to use. User needs to know what those settings imply.
Win10Privacy
Pros
1) Many more settings than O&O Shut Up 10
2) Provision to uninstall apps from Windows store
3) Can disable outgoing traffic using Windows firewall rules. Great for users using the default Windows firewall
4) Can save/load the settings
5) No need software installation as its portable
6) Warnings (in different colors) on applying the different settings.
7) No ‘Apply all settings’ feature. This is to prevent accidental enabling of all settings and become a risk to the user. Each setting has to be individually enabled/disabled.
Cons
1) Slow to start up
2) Show original user privacy level settings on start up but settings need to be saved as a file and reloaded later, if needed.
3) Not every item comes with an explanation when you mouse over them
This software is for the expert and is very useful for those using the default Windows firewall rules to block outgoing traffic.
Despite turning OFF most of the settings in the Privacy section in Windows there are still many which need to be disabled for a better user privacy against data collection by MS. To prevent 100% data collection by MS is impossible!
Instead of digging deep into Windows (see below link) to disable some features such privacy tool software provide a convenient means of achieving this. Some of the features listed above are not needed or can be accomplished as follows:
1) If you are NOT using the default Windows firewall then the firewall feature is not needed
2) Uninstallation of apps from Windows store can be done through Windows itself
Windows 10 Privacy Guide - Spring Creators Update
Many more of such privacy tools can be found here
Comparison of Windows 10 Privacy tools - gHacks Tech News
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