Serious Discussion Stop Microsoft Windows Spying in 1 Minute

[Nevi]

Here is a video I could imagine some people would appreciate.

 

[Bot]

Thanks for sharing! This video could indeed be useful for users wanting to enhance their privacy settings on Windows. Remember, always double-check information from various sources for accuracy.

 

[brambedkar59]

You can also do this without editing the host files by using 3rd party DNS like NextDNS. They have similar lists inside Native Tracking for several companies like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi etc.

Spoiler

 

[Moonhorse]

Adguard can also block windows telemetry with stealth mode

 

[Marko :)]

And, I'll once again advise everyone against doing so. I did it in past and eventually gave up. Why? You can try to block it, but you'll never succeed. Microsoft has gazillion domains which are used for telemetry, as well, as gazillion IP addresses which might not only be used for telemetry, but for other websites and services too. Block one IP, you might unknowingly blocked something else and then you'll spend hours of figuring out why something isn't working.

Windows is made to have constant connection to Microsoft's servers and no app can change that. When I blocked telemetry, I noticed Windows taking longer time to do some simple jobs like opening apps, searching etc. And the reason for that is really simple; when you block x domain, Windows tries over the y one, if that doesn't succeed it goes to z one and so on. Sometimes Windows might hang entirely if it doesn't find a way to communicate with Microsoft's servers, happened to me multiple times. This was the last straw for me.

Just install Windows 10/11 Enterprise, Education or LTSC version as they allow you to completely disable telemetry. These are made for businesses, schools and other institutions where they need a total control what Windows does and what not. You can buy the key from various sites, or you can use some other, open source, ways of activation for free.

 

[jlino]

I had the same thought when I was editing my hosts file to block telemetry and ads. Windows started behaving strangely, which caused more problems.

 

[Marko :)]

I had the same thought when I was editing my hosts file to block telemetry and ads. Windows started behaving strangely, which caused more problems.

Fun fact: Microsoft hard coded some of their domains so they can't be blocked with hosts file. If I remember correctly, bing.com is one of them. I used to have a list saved somewhere, but I lost it.

 

[oldschool]

You can also do this without editing the host files by using 3rd party DNS like NextDNS. They have similar lists inside Native Tracking for several companies like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi etc.

I think NextDNS uses WindowsSpyBlocker rules which are woefully outdated.
WindowsSpyBlocker - Changelog

 

[lokamoka820]

And, I'll once again advise everyone against doing so. I did it in past and eventually gave up. Why? You can try to block it, but you'll never succeed. Microsoft has gazillion domains which are used for telemetry, as well, as gazillion IP addresses which might not only be used for telemetry, but for other websites and services too. Block one IP, you might unknowingly blocked something else and then you'll spend hours of figuring out why something isn't working.

Windows is made to have constant connection to Microsoft's servers and no app can change that. When I blocked telemetry, I noticed Windows taking longer time to do some simple jobs like opening apps, searching etc. And the reason for that is really simple; when you block x domain, Windows tries over the y one, if that doesn't succeed it goes to z one and so on. Sometimes Windows might hang entirely if it doesn't find a way to communicate with Microsoft's servers, happened to me multiple times. This was the last straw for me.

Just install Windows 10/11 Enterprise, Education or LTSC version as they allow you to completely disable telemetry. These are made for businesses, schools and other institutions where they need a total control what Windows does and what not. You can buy the key from various sites, or you can use some other, open source, ways of activation for free.

I stopped using O&O ShutUp10++ for the same reasons, even with "Apply only recommended settings" I start to get strange things like 3 keyboard layouts on my taskbar.

 

[TairikuOkami]

I think NextDNS uses WindowsSpyBlocker rules which are woefully outdated.

Indeed, adguard and my manual denylist seem to block the most. One can also add some resolved domains like data.microsoft.com risking breaking several MS services.

Connection endpoints for Windows 11 Enterprise - Windows Privacy

Explains what Windows 11 endpoints are used for, how to turn off traffic to them, and the impact. Specific to Windows 11.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[brambedkar59]

I think NextDNS uses WindowsSpyBlocker rules which are woefully outdated.
WindowsSpyBlocker - Changelog

Didn't know that. I don't use the Native Tracking feature because of the risk it might break something. I only use the single default list from NextDNS.