Installing Microsoft Office 2010 and telemetry?

[KublaiKhan]

I had Windows 7 installed, and did not see any of the "updates" that slip tracking tools onto the system, such as KB3068708, KB3022345, KB3075249, and KB3080149.

Then In installed my copy of Windows Office 2010. Doing so set Update to receive those "recommended" updates along with important security updates. It added an option to "Give me updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows"—which does not seem to be an option at all, as if unchecking it disables Windows Update entirely. Finally, KB3068708 and KB3080149 now sit in a very long list of "Important" updates, as if the system no longer distinguishes between security and telemetry.

So what do I do? Stop using Microsoft Office? I'm not finding much advice beyond uninstalling these updates and hoping that stops the telemetry collection.

 

[ss202sl]

Uninstall Microsoft Office, and install OpenOffice

 

[KublaiKhan]

My apologies, but I would prefer an answer less pat.

Is my understanding incorrect? Does installing even an old version of Microsoft Office necessitate installation of Microsoft's telemetry tools? Going forward, is there no way to separate critical security updates from recommended updates? Is there no way to use Windows without the constant collection of private and personally identifying data?

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Clearly, installing the Office suite—even an old version of it—resets the option to receive recommended updates along with important updates. It's a trick Microsoft uses to push those telemetry tools. For now, unchecking the option appears to remove the questionable updates—I'm now down from 90 updates to 17, and these 17 all appear security related.

 

[ss202sl]

disconnect entirely from the internet. Microsoft isn't the only one collecting data.

 

[ss202sl]

You could set up a WSUS server, and select which updates to provision for any machines.

 

[KublaiKhan]

I hope you get the help you need.