One of the main functions in the operating room Windows system 10, data exchange has become possible, but the default security settings leave much to be desired. If you use this operating system on any of your devices, you probably store a huge amount of personal information. And you definitely hope that your account information, pictures and photos, as well as financial data will remain safe.
It is not surprising that after Terry Myerson, vice president of operating systems and head of the Windows & Devices division, announced that the company was collecting a number of information in an effort to “improve the quality and security of the product,” the issue of security and protection of personal information became one of the key topics.
Many of us, when installing this wonderful system on our computer, willingly agree to accept license agreement and check boxes that seem fun and interesting. However, in reality, few people truly understand how much personal information we provide access to. Of course, Windows presents all this in completely innocuous terms such as: “Let Cortana do its job better.” However, since Windows is an extremely flexible and easily customizable system, there is no need to worry too much, because you can always adjust the settings to better protect your privacy.
Privacy Settings
If you want to find out exactly what data Microsoft collects on your device, then in the system settings you need to find the “Privacy” tab. There you can see exactly what data may be shared with the company, such as location, search results, and account information. If Microsoft then reminds you of “Big Brother is watching you,” then this article can help you limit the amount of information it collects.
Hello everyone, today I’ll tell you how to set up Windows 10 privacy and disable spyware windows functions 10. Since release new version OS from Microsoft, a lot of information has appeared on the Internet that Windows 10 spies on its users, inexplicably uses their personal data, and more. The concern is understandable: people think that Windows 10 is collecting their personalized personal data, which is not entirely true. Just like your favorite browsers, sites, and previous version Windows, Microsoft collects anonymous data to improve the OS, search, other system functions... Well, and to show you advertising.
If you are very concerned about the security of your confidential data and want to ensure that it is kept as safe as possible from Microsoft's access, these instructions detailed description Windows 10 settings that allow you to secure this data as much as possible and prevent Windows 10 from spying on you.
You can configure settings for transferring and storing personal data in Windows 10 already in installed system, as well as at the stage of its installation. Below we will discuss first the settings in the installation program, and then in the system already running on the computer.
Setting up personal data security when installing Windows 10
During Windows 10 installation, after copying files, rebooting for the first time, and entering or skipping your product key (and possibly connecting to the Internet), you'll see the Boost your speed screen. If you click “Use standard settings”, then the sending of many personal data will be enabled, but if you click “Customize settings” at the bottom left, then we can change some privacy settings.
Configuring settings takes place on two screens, on the first of which you can disable personalization, sending data about keyboard input and voice input to Microsoft, as well as location tracking. If you need to disable Windows 10 spy features entirely, you can disable all items on this screen.
On the second screen, in order to avoid sending any personal data, I recommend disabling all functions (page load prediction, automatic connection to networks, sending error information to Microsoft), except for “SmartScreen”.
This is everything related to privacy that can be configured when Windows installation 10. Additionally, you don't have to connect account Microsoft (since many of its parameters are synchronized with their server), but use a local account.
Configure Windows 10 privacy settings after installation
IN Windows settings 10 there is a whole “Confidentiality” section for setting the relevant parameters. Press the Win+I keys on your keyboard (or click on the notification icon, and then “All settings”), and then select the desired item.
The privacy settings have a whole set of items, each of which we will consider in order.
- Allow apps to use my ad recipient ID - turn off.
- Enable SmartScreen filter - enable.
- Send my writing information to Microsoft - turn off.
- Allow websites to provide local information by accessing my language list - turn off.
In the “Location” section, you can disable location detection for your computer as a whole (it is also disabled for all applications), as well as for each application that can use such data separately (below in this section).
Speech, handwriting, and text input
In this section, you can disable tracking of your typed characters, speech and handwriting input. If you see a “Meet Me” button in the “Meet Me” section, this means that these functions have already been disabled.
If you see a “Stop learning” button, click it to disable the storage of this personal information.
Camera, microphone, account information, contacts, calendar, radio, messaging and more
All of these sections allow you to turn off the use of relevant hardware and data on your system by applications (the safest option). They can also allow their use for certain applications and prohibit them for others.
Reviews and diagnostics
We put “Never” in the item “Windows should ask for my feedback” and “Basic information” in the item about sending data to Microsoft if you do not want to share information with it.
Background applications
Many Windows applications 10 continue to run even when you're not using them and even if they're not in the Start menu. In chapter " Background applications"You can disable them, which will not only prevent any data from being sent, but also save battery power on your laptop or tablet.
Additional privacy and security settings
For greater security, you should also perform a few more steps. Return to the All Settings window and go to the Network and Internet section. In the Wi-Fi section, scroll down and click Manage Settings Wi-Fi networks».
Disable the options “Connect to suggested open hotspots” and “Connect to networks shared by my contacts.”
Setting up privacy in windows 10 - Disabling spying features in windows 10-12
One way or another, it transfers some (including personal) data to Microsoft servers. If these are just logs with errors, then this is quite useful for programmers. But now Windows, especially version 10, can send absolutely everything from the computer - location data and user preferences, and even personal files. However, the developers reserve the right to view all this at any time. Many people do not like such total control, and the question arises of setting up privacy settings in Windows 10 in order to protect yourself and your personal information from unnecessary attention from strangers.
Features of setting privacy settings in Windows.
When the system is first installed, at the end of this process you can immediately set up privacy in Windows 10. This step is usually skipped, since the settings are not clearly shown. To do this, on the “Increase speed” screen, click the “Settings parameters” link at the bottom. A new screen will appear where you can use the sliders to turn it on and off. different possibilities. By default, they are all enabled and will remain enabled unless you disable them manually here and continue the installation using the “Use standard settings” button.
This includes permission to send bug reports to developers, connect to available Wi-Fi networks, send personal data and location, and much more. If you care about at least minimal anonymity, then all this should be prohibited. Privacy settings in Windows 10 don't end there. On the screen where you are asked to enter information to use a Microsoft account, you do not need to enter it - click the “Skip this step” link. If you use an account, your system will use cloud storage on Microsoft servers, where many of your personal files will be sent.
This is convenient if you log in using this account with different devices– all files are at hand. But at the same time they are stored on other people’s servers, where someone will definitely view them! Therefore, it is better to use a regular, local account, and the documents will not leave your computer. Configuring your privacy settings when installing Windows 10 will ensure that none of your personal data leaves your computer once the process is complete.
Privacy (or confidentiality) settings in Windows 10 can be made on an already installed system. To do this, go to “Start” – “System Settings” – “Privacy”.
The window that appears has many tabs - “General”, “Location”, “Camera”, etc. Go through all the tabs and disable everything unnecessary. So, you can turn off the webcam, prohibit the use of a microphone, control messages and much more. Among the privacy settings in this window, on the Synchronization tab, you can turn off synchronization so that personal files are not sent to the OneDrive cloud storage.
Safety
From the Windows 10 privacy settings window, go back to Settings and then Update & Security. There is a tab "Center" Windows updates" - click on the link "Advanced options", and then "Choose how and when to receive updates." Disable the ability to receive updates from multiple places.
The fact is that the system can download updates or parts thereof from other computers as in local network, and on the Internet using P2P technologies, like torrents. It can also distribute existing updates to other computers. This may pose a security risk. The system has a built-in defender - standard antivirus. It is disabled when installing any third-party antivirus, but you can also turn it off manually in the Windows Defender tab.
IMPORTANT. It is not recommended to disable built-in protection without installing another antivirus - this way you expose your computer to great risk!
However, “Cloud Protection” and “Sample Sending” can be disabled, this will not cause harm.
Cortana
This is a voice assistant that, on command, can control a computer - launch programs, search for information, change settings and much more. But this program, running in the background, collects and sends a lot of information to the cloud - voice and handwriting samples, tracks the user's interests, addresses and events. Opening Cortana's settings is simple - you need to click on the search field in the taskbar, and in the window that opens, on the gear-shaped icon. There is a switch that turns Cortana off. Keep in mind that Cortana does not yet work with the Russian language, so if you have a Russian-language interface installed, then the voice assistant is already turned off. But on the English-language interface it is enabled by default.
Have you ever had to disable any settings that might compromise the security of your personal data? Share your experience, it will be interesting to our other readers.
Even before the release of Windows 10, disputes began to appear on the Internet about sending various information to Microsoft servers and about. In part, heated discussions on the topic of “dozens of spying” have been going on since the release of the version of Windows 10 for preliminary user testing, which sent statistics to developers, as was reported in the corresponding agreement.
As a result, a large number of tweakers have appeared that change the system services responsible for collecting data. Let's look at how to change Windows 10 privacy settings using standard methods.
Click “Start” - “Settings”, then “Privacy”. A section opens with the ability to change privacy settings.
Let's note two sections:
- "Speech, handwriting and text input" — turn off data collection performed by Cortana.
- “Reviews and diagnostics” - Changes the level of telemetry data sent to Microsoft from basic to full.
Synchronization settings
If you work under the account Microsoft entry, the “Synchronizing your settings” subsection, located in the “Accounts” section, will be able to block access to the following data on your main PC:
- Desktop theme;
- Browser settings;
- Saved passwords.
If desired, synchronization can be disabled completely.
System antivirus
Windows 10 finally has a built-in antivirus utility, Windows Defender, which is disabled when installing another compatible antivirus. Its settings are located in “Settings” - “Update and Security”.
We disable some items and accordingly reduce the amount of information sent to Microsoft.
SmartScreen
The Windows SmartScreen utility is used to notify the user about the launch new program. The principle of its operation is to check files using a “cloud” system. The filter is controlled from the “Control Panel” - “Security and Maintenance”.
How to get updates
By which you can receive system updates, it also provides outgoing traffic from your computer. If you do not want to distribute “tens” updates to other users for security reasons, turn it off.
Now there are many Windows users 10 are concerned about the safety of their confidential data. After all, it has already been mentioned in many sources as a system that sends all collected information to Microsoft and other partners of the corporation, not to mention the many cloud functions that the user may not even be aware of.
Those who do not agree with this corporate policy can disable the data collection feature on their system using the instructions in this article.
Note! This article will only consider standard features disable the sending of user data provided in Windows 10. Methods for removing related services will not be discussed here. This is due to the fact that such actions can disrupt the stable operation of your system.
We also hasten to warn you not to use third-party software that allows you to increase the privacy of Windows 10. Many scammers quickly realized that they can take advantage of users’ concern for their data and now, under the guise of programs for setting up the system, they distribute various viruses.
Confidentiality
From the Start menu, open System Settings and go to the Privacy section. Here you can manage various settings associated with private data on the computer. You can disable geolocation, turn off the camera, and block access to the microphone. Here you can turn off sending contact information, turn off calendar synchronization and message tracking, and much more. Dig through all the tabs and disable everything unnecessary. For example, you can turn off the following options:
- Open the Speech, Handwriting, and Text tab and deactivate sending information to voice assistant Cortana;
- Open the Feedback and Diagnostics tab and set the appropriate level for sending your statistics to Microsoft. Here you can choose from complete data to only the most basic. Unfortunately, standard means It is impossible to disable this feature. There is only the option to disable telemetry through the AllowTelemetry policy, but this is only available for enterprise Windows versions 10.
Synchronization
Synchronization works through the OneDrive service integrated into the system, which works with the Microsoft cloud. This service allows you to store various files and documents in the cloud, as well as account settings. By logging into your account on any computer or device, you'll be able to access your documents, settings, browser settings, and more. Those who do not want to store their documents and personal data in the cloud can disable this feature.
Go to the account settings and open the settings synchronization tab, then, next to the “Synchronization Settings” item, move the switch to the “off” position. 
This is a standard antivirus program that is built into the system. The main purpose of which is protection against various malicious software. If you install any other third-party antivirus, the standard defender will simply turn off, allowing its “colleague” to do all the work.
Attention! Disabling windows defender and without installing additional antivirus program, you can seriously reduce the security of your system.
Here you can turn off the “Cloud Protection” function, as well as “Sending detected malware for study.” In addition, it is possible to add files to exceptions that will not be scanned by Defender. 
SmartScreen
For more information on how you can change the settings for this service and even disable it completely, read this article: 
In this operating system appeared new opportunity receiving updates via P2P technology. For example, having received an update on your computer, you can distribute it all to devices that are on the same local network or to those located on the Internet.
Some people may not like this method of receiving updates. If you think that this is far from the best The best decision for the security of your computer, you can change the settings to receive updates.
To do this, open System Settings through the Start menu. In the next window, click on “Update and Security” and then go to “Windows Update”. In Update Center, select “Advanced settings” and open the “Choose how and when to receive updates” section. 
Wi-Fi control
With this feature, the device can connect to all Wi-Fi networks that are open and within range wireless adapter. Connection occurs in automatic mode, without having to manually enter passwords or perform any additional steps. With standard settings this function will be activated.
If you need to disable it, open System Settings and select the “Network and Internet” section, then expand the “Wi-Fi” tab and click on “Manage Wi-Fi network settings.” Next, you can select the appropriate settings for wireless networks. 
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