New
#21
Yep, just forget about Jimbo's Linux fixation, it's not what you are looking for and just muddying the water.
VPNs for Windows 10?
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New #22
Excellent point. (Although I thought linux provides a free server)
Using a linux VM would obviously also slow things compared to the native Windows host. So that is a point against it. I was leaning towards linux because of its reputation of being more 'secure' than Windows. Perhaps I'm wrong. Windows, on the other hand has the reputation of sending information to Microsoft even if you opt out of many of its helpful 'features'. Again, perhaps I'm wrong. I'm no security wonk but I know that Windows 10 sends a lot of information about your apps and activities through channels a typical enduser would know little about and even an expert could not prevent without a vpn. That is apparently why Windows is rarely used in security sensitive activities. Linux, based on unix, is apparently designed not to leak information that essily that but that probably is obviated if the user is not knowledgeable enough to configure it correctly.
In a world where storing your data in the cloud (not mine) is routine, and Facebook is your home, the kind of simple privacy I'm seeking is probably quaint and outmoded. But I prefer it if I can achieve it without huge hurdles. Hence my looking at vpns.
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New #23
Windows relies on Telemetry for the implementation of some technologies that are beyond the capabilities of the processors in the regular desktop or laptop. This telemetry allows the high powered systems available to Microsoft to quickly calculate the results that would take much longer for the local system to do - often this allows the local system to perform tasks way beyond those it could do itself.
This data is mostly used to drive AI based processes such as Cortana, and is not achieved by some tech sitting in a room reading everything you type, or hearing everything you say, as some commentators in the press would have you believe. and is optional (not always obvious but under user control)
Telemetry has been used in everything we do in our lives for many years, it keeps your home at the temperature that you decide, The thermostat reads the temperature set and the actual temperature and send commands to the heater to adjust it's output accordingly, The additional telemetry control available today also allows you to check the settings and the temperature from your office or in the Car on the way home. It also make the car safe to drive, controls the traffic signal, it allows the trains run safely and the aircraft to stay in the sky.
Microsoft, and others, do not want to know your private thoughts they want to know if you use software the way they believe you do, and have designed it to work. If they are wrong they can then adjust the software to work how you need it to to get the job done that you have decided to do.
Sellers do want to know what is selling well at the moment, but need to know what will be selling in the future, they have always taken telemetry, (even if it's just a note of cash receipts from the register), even the old Mom & Pop stores want to know what is likely to sell next month or next week or next year - so they can plan their cash flow to stock what they need to meet demand. they do not need to know what individual will buy an item, just an idea of how many individuals will buy what and when.
THis is the type of telemetry that Microsoft collects - that most people do not use Edge or Internet explorer, because they find Firefox or Chrome easier to do what they want, they also note the small group who use "more secure " browsers and, if practical will, attempt to get Edge to appeal to all of them
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New #24
You have been very helpful and I have no wish to antagonize you. Please accept what I write in that light.
But, how do I opt out of all the telemetry that is helping me whether I want it to or not? I've already turned off all I can.
How do I really get rid of Cortana, which I don't use but its code remains there?
How do I ask Microsoft (and others) to delete all the data they've stored about me?
Again, these are not meant as antagonist lines. Just exasperation with all the information gathered on me whether I want it or not. Windows is not the worst offender. Google, Amazon, etc are just as bad in that respect. So I'm not attacking Microsoft but rather the pervasive loss of privacy and being transformed into a commodity rather than a respected client.
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New #25
I personally find Winaero Tweaker Winaero - Free small and useful software for Windows as a fallback where things are a little too hidden, what I like about it is that it gives you the detail of the method used to achieve their "One click" solutions
Cortana can be fully disabled using this and even the search on the taskbar can be hidden. Windows is an intertwined set of subroutines by design so disabling is always better than deletion, as windows can "bite back" by trying to use a removed routine to perform an unrelated task
Edit
There is another reason that the telemitry can be difficult to control, although better than it was back in 2015 the Home Versions of Windows 10 are missing a lot of the control built into the Pro and above versions, This is I think due to the home version being even more aimed at a not technical user than the previous Windows 7 and Windows 8 versions,
Windows 7 was more often sold as Home Premium but also had a tied down Starter Edition that had very little control, I think that Windows 10 Home sits at a level between the two and is certainly designed to attract the modern Smart Phone User ..
Winaero gives back a lot of this lost control
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