Win10 Telemetry


  1. Posts : 1,026
    Win10 Version 21H2 19044.1645
       #1

    Win10 Telemetry


    Good article from ZDNet.


    I want to make it clear that I'm in no way suggesting that Microsoft is doing anything nefarious with telemetry data. The crackpot theories that it's a data backdoor and Microsoft is handing that data to the NSA/FBI/saucer people are just that -- crackpot theories. But Microsoft does need to appreciate and accept that not a week goes by where there isn't some data horror story in the headlines, and that makes people understandably nervous

    Getting out of this mess is easy. Here are three simple steps for Microsoft:

    1. Wind back the ego a few notches. Just because a system is running Windows 10 shouldn't mean that Microsoft feels it is entitled to end user telemetry. Period. Remember whose computer it is. Never lose sight of that.
    2. Build an off switch for the telemetry. This shouldn't be hard to do. Put the decision as to whether telemetry data is sent back to the Microsoft mothership in the hands of the user.
    3. Quit it with the heavy-handedness. What is it with all the "mandatory" stuff in Windows 10? Sheesh
    http://www.zdnet.com/article/microso...on-off-switch/
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 120
    Windows 10 (duh)
       #2

    Good article until the spybot antibeacon promotion - the same piece of crap as all the others.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 376
    Windows 10.0.19043.2006
       #3

    AveYo said:
    Good article until the spybot antibeacon promotion - the same piece of crap as all the others.
    Can you say more about what is wrong with "Spybot Antibeacon and all the others"?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 120
    Windows 10 (duh)
       #4


    In my book, portable means one executable, not their wrap-around only to get the donation button added to your stick.
    In my book, an application should be tested before release. You know, people might have AV's blocking the host file, the app should not simply crash.
    In my book, there is nothing more user friendly and more portable than a freaking reg or batch file that this tool and all the others are "substituting".

    And after all, it's rather pointless since you can never disable telemetry 100%, unless you also cripple windows updates.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 376
    Windows 10.0.19043.2006
       #5

    AveYo said:
    In my book, an application should be tested before release. You know, people might have AV's blocking the host file, the app should not simply crash.
    I agree. I don't use SpybotAntiBeacon so can't comment on its stability, however I do use O&O Shutup10 and it works fine. I mention it because you referred to "all the others".

    AveYo said:
    In my book, there is nothing more user friendly and more portable than a freaking reg or batch file that this tool and all the others are "substituting".
    I believe you're in a small minority when you say you find a reg or batch file more user friendly than an app with a GUI that acts as a front end. A properly designed app is also safer since it only gives access to the specific settings you want to adjust.

    AveYo said:
    And after all, it's rather pointless since you can never disable telemetry 100%, unless you also cripple windows updates.
    Do you feel there is no benefit to turning off 90% of the data mining that occurs with default "express" settings? Privacy is never an all or other proposition.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    Victek said:
    I agree. I don't use SpybotAntiBeacon so can't comment on its stability, however I do use O&O Shutup10 and it works fine. I mention it because you referred to "all the others".
    Read O&O's TOS and privacy agreement.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 376
    Windows 10.0.19043.2006
       #7

    essenbe said:
    Read O&O's TOS and privacy agreement.
    OK, I read this:

    O&O Software’s Privacy Policy

    Privacy

    Was there something specific?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 120
    Windows 10 (duh)
       #8

    Victek said:
    I believe you're in a small minority when you say you find a reg or batch file more user friendly than an app with a GUI that acts as a front end. A properly designed app is also safer since it only gives access to the specific settings you want to adjust.
    Did you just labeled me "small minority" on the very forum providing and/or promoting for years all these reg or batch files, only to be ripped of by (some shaddy) people/companies into (some poor) software gui "front-ends"? And did you just called these "safer"? Safer than right-click - Edit/Open with Notepad?

    I will follow up with the batch-only "alternative" (remember I did post something similar a while back, but was removed without any comment, tx Microsoft).
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,026
    Win10 Version 21H2 19044.1645
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Part of later ZDNet article countering the position of the first article. The telemetry settings are located at Settings/Privacy/Feedback and Diagnosis.


    So there's no on-off switch for this category of data collection. Instead, Windows 10 has three telemetry settings: Basic, Enhanced, and Full. Here's what each of the three settings does:

    Basic. This level includes information about security settings, quality-related info (such as crashes and hangs), and application compatibility. Microsoft considers this information essential for maintaining and improving the quality of Windows 10. It contains only anonymous identifiers and can't be used to identify an individual device or person.

    Enhanced. This level includes the Basic information and adds details about how Windows and Windows apps are used, how they perform, and advanced reliability info.

    Full. This setting, which is the default for Windows 10, includes all information from the previous levels, plus "additional details necessary to identify and help to fix problems." Presumably, this category includes error reports and mini-dump files after serious crashes.

    Look, the only "off switch" that works on modern computing devices is disconnecting from the Internet completely. Any device has to communicate with external servers to look up IP addresses, to receive updates, to synchronize data and settings with cloud services, to send and receive email, to browse the web, and so on and on and on.

    Every one of those connections requires a minimal exchange of data that is typically logged for some periods of time. It is thoroughly reasonable to design Windows 10 in such a way that it can quickly identify defects and allow the engineers responsible for the product to fix those defects.
    Is Windows 10 telemetry a threat to your personal privacy? | ZDNet
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 376
    Windows 10.0.19043.2006
       #10

    AveYo said:
    Did you just labeled me "small minority" on the very forum providing and/or promoting for years all these reg or batch files, only to be ripped of by (some shaddy) people/companies into (some poor) software gui "front-ends"? And did you just called these "safer"? Safer than right-click - Edit/Open with Notepad?
    On a technical forum? no, but in the larger world anyone who knows how to use REG and batch files is in a very small minority. Average users need GUI "front ends" for self protection; the fewer settings unmasked the better. For someone who actually understands the details then it's safer, or at least gratifying, to implement them in their fully revealed glory. As for people being ripped off I don't know what you're referring to.
      My Computer


 

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