[SOLVED] Security and privacy on pre-installed Windows ?

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troyer1234567

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Dec 31, 2020
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Hi I've bought a new HP G8 255 laptop from a local store with Windows 11 pre-installed & pre-activated.
Is there any security or privacy setting which I'd be better to change?
I've turned off Location but I don't know if there is anything else which i should turn off or change to have my privacy protected.
If there is anything i should turn off or change, please tell me and also if it doesn't bother u, tell me how to find that specific setting
Thanks for the help
 
Solution
USAFRet
troyer1234567 said:
I'm afraid that after a full reinstall i lose the activation of windows as it is activated now (I'm not sure if it is licensed or cracked, they told me that the laptop has lifetime licensed win 11)
Click to expand...
No.

A reinstall on that same hardware incurs NO licensing issues.
No different than if you had to reinstall after a nasty virus or hard drive replacement.

That is, of course, if it is a real valid OS license.

But the fact that you were not presented with the OOBE screen and choices means that they did the FULL install, and made those choices for you. Almost certainly they just clicked next, accepting the defaults of ON.

And who knows what else they installed.

You should have seen the word "Hi". And then, "Getting things ready for...
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What are you specifically trying to avoid?

Tracking? General Microsoft "nosiness"? A cluttered installation even if you have plenty of drive space?

Type "privacy" into a search box and look at the choices it offers.

There's a bunch of choices (on/off switches) in Windows 10. I've got most of them set to off.

I'd imagine Windows 11 is similar.

You might also consider doing a clean install of Windows rather than living with the HP installation unless HP threw in some extras you just have to have.

I generally turn off anything related to tracking or Microsoft "gadgets". If you have a serious interest in the gadgets (weather, cameras, etc) or in The Store, you may have to leave certain things in the on position.
 
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Lafong said:
What are you specifically trying to avoid?

Tracking? General Microsoft "nosiness"? A cluttered installation even if you have plenty of drive space?

Type "privacy" into a search box and look at the choices it offers.

There's a bunch of choices (on/off switches) in Windows 10. I've got most of them set to off.

I'd imagine Windows 11 is similar.

You might also consider doing a clean install of Windows rather than living with the HP installation unless HP threw in some extras you just have to have.

I generally turn off anything related to tracking or Microsoft "gadgets". If you have a serious interest in the gadgets (weather, cameras, etc) or in The Store, you may have to leave certain things in the on position.
Click to expand...
No i want everything to be off
 
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USAFRet said:
ahhhh.....

Then this was a full install by the "local store".
You should have been presented with the OOBE screens. (Out Of Box Experience).

That would have given you all the options to disable what you do not want.

I would seriously consider a full OS reinstall.
(if it were me, not 'consider'...do)
Click to expand...
I'm afraid that after a full reinstall i lose the activation of windows as it is activated now (I'm not sure if it is licensed or cracked, they told me that the laptop has lifetime licensed win 11)
 
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troyer1234567 said:
I'm afraid that after a full reinstall i lose the activation of windows as it is activated now (I'm not sure if it is licensed or cracked, they told me that the laptop has lifetime licensed win 11)
Click to expand...
No.

A reinstall on that same hardware incurs NO licensing issues.
No different than if you had to reinstall after a nasty virus or hard drive replacement.

That is, of course, if it is a real valid OS license.

But the fact that you were not presented with the OOBE screen and choices means that they did the FULL install, and made those choices for you. Almost certainly they just clicked next, accepting the defaults of ON.

And who knows what else they installed.

You should have seen the word "Hi". And then, "Getting things ready for you".
And then, all the Yes/No choices about Location and Advertising....
If you did not, this NEEDS a full wipe and reinstall.


If it is discovered it is NOT a valid license, then you go back to the shop and force them to make it right.
 
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Solution
USAFRet said:
No.

A reinstall on that same hardware incurs NO licensing issues.
No different than if you had to reinstall after a nasty virus or hard drive replacement.

That is, of course, if it is a real valid OS license.

But the fact that you were not presented with the OOBE screen and choices means that they did the FULL install, and made those choices for you. Almost certainly they just clicked next, accepting the defaults of ON.

And who knows what else they installed.

You should have seen the word "Hi". And then, "Getting things ready for you".
And then, all the Yes/No choices about Location and Advertising....
If you did not, this NEEDS a full wipe and reinstall.


If it is discovered it is NOT a valid license, then you go back to the shop and force them to make it right.
Click to expand...
Yeah thats right
 
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