Enhanced Privacy Options in Windows 10

The issue of online privacy continues to be a hot topic in the world of technology. Many apps today collect various types of data to function effectively. The act of data gathering has long been a growing concern for many mobile and PC users. Windows, in particular, has come under fire for sending large amounts of user data back to Microsoft.

In the Windows 10 April 2018 update (version 1803), new privacy options have been added in an attempt to give you more control over your data and account.

In this tutorial, we will go through the three newly introduced privacy settings and explain how you can use them to optimize your online and offline security.
 
1. MANAGE APP PERMISSIONS
Use app permissions to control what information your installed apps can access. This includes your camera, microphone, location, contacts, etc.

a) Open the Apps and Features Settings
Go to Settings -> Apps -> Click Apps and Features in the left pane.


b) Set App Permissions
Under the Apps and Features section, select an app from the list -> click Advanced Options. A new window should open displaying the various app permission settings. Toggle the switches On or Off for each of the permissions as required.



2. DELETE DATA COLLECTED BY MICROSOFT
Use this setting to erase all diagnostic data Windows has collected from your system.

a) Open the Diagnostics and Feedback Settings
Go to Settings -> Privacy -> Click Diagnostics and Feedback in the left pane.


b) Delete Diagnostic Data
Scroll down to the Delete Diagnostic Data section -> Click Delete. All data collected by Microsoft should be deleted immediately.


3. SET RECOVERY OPTIONS FOR LOCAL ACCOUNTS
Previously, password recovery was only available if you were signed into your PC with a Microsoft account. Now you are able to set security questions to recover passwords from local accounts.

a) Open Sign-in Options
Go to Settings -> Accounts -> Click Sign-in Options in the left pane.


b) Update Security Questions
Under the Password section, click the Update Your Security Questions link. You will be presented with a form to choose and fill three different security questions. Click Finish to save or update your security questions. Now, if you ever forget your password, you can recover it from the lock screen by correctly answering the security questions.