Windows 10 privacy and file access?

TenneR · 17 Jan 2018

How secure is Windows 10?

Is it just the telemetry which people have concerns with - tracking users anonymously?

Is it enough to disable majority of the stff uder settings / privacy?

I use a local account profile, but probably should change to a standard (from admin) profile?

Some have said your personal files (on desktop, document folders etc) can be snooped on - is that really the case? Or does it only apply to files uploaded to their One Drive for example?

TairikuOkami · 17 Jan 2018

By default Windows monitors everything you are typing, saying, doing (on camera) to enhance your experience.
Most people love it, since it actually helps in some ways, but some hate it, it depends, what level of privacy you want.

Windows scans your one drive for illegal content, Windows Defender and Smartscreen can upload some of your files, Windows compatibility assistant monitors, what software you are running, Windows keylogger (MsCtfMonitor task) monitors, what you are typing for Cortana, but obviously is uploaded online, etc. Most of those can be disabled the normal way, using a firewall blocking outbound helps too. Disabling too much breaks Windows, literally, it expects you to share. :)

Basics: Microsoft Trust Center | Windows Telemetry Privacy

Detailed settings: Manage connections from Windows operating system components to Microsoft services

3rd party tools to manage privacy settings easily: Comparison of Windows 10 Privacy tools - gHacks Tech News

TenneR · 17 Jan 2018

Thanks for your reply TairikuOkami

So personal files on the desktop, storage drive, my documents etc on a local account can still be uploaded to Microsoft? Surely that cannot be legal, can it? Not worried abount one drive as I don't use that.

TairikuOkami · 17 Jan 2018

TenneR said:

Surely that cannot be legal, can it?

By installing Windows, you had to agree to terms, just like people accepting Google' EULA agreed, that Google can read their emails and do whatever it wants with that. Microsoft has actually a better privacy protection than Google.

EULAlyzer is such a nice piece of software. :)

csun · 17 Jan 2018

TenneR said:

So personal files on the desktop, storage drive, my documents etc on a local account can still be uploaded to Microsoft? Surely that cannot be legal, can it? Not worried abount one drive as I don't use that.

https://account.microsoft.com/accoun...trt=home-index

Insure you have turned off desired options under Settings/Privacy.

Also, check the link above and sign in to verify what MSN states they have collected.

MikeMecanic · 26 Jan 2018

The third link in post#2 does not open here? Seems old anyway.
Edit: adblocker must be disable.