Windows spying on me...

Wonderclam

Distinguished
Jul 24, 2012
178
4
18,685
It's been floating around that Windows 10 is extremely privacy invasive. Is there a way to get around this? I like the OS so far, but I don't like them snooping around my computer.

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JoeMomma

Distinguished
Nov 17, 2010
860
1
19,360
Turning off everything in Windows Privacy Settings kills most of the spying.
It's all on by default is the problem and most people don't know about the Advanced link in the Privacy settings.
It's okay to put it on minimum sharing data for bug reporting.

Turn off Cortana.
Turn off share my location, camera, microphone.
Turn off share updates with others over the internet.

Every time you get a Windows Update (usually Tuesday or Wednesday) check it again.
Some updates turn stuff back on.
Some new apps will be added that spy by default.

I have gotten the "These setting are controlled by your Administrator" notification at the top of the Window in red.
That means you are locked out and it's a major pain to use RegEdit to unlock that message.