what do i need to turn off on windows 10 for privacy

You've been told over and over that Windows x is the best affair since MS-DOS v, and you've finally broken down and updated your PC from Windows 8. I take to admit that the interface and overall experience of Windows 10 is much improved over eight.

Just what about privacy in Windows 10? What's changed?

It turns out that there are enough of "convenience" features in Microsoft's latest Windows release that wait to monitor your every move on the Windows desktop in social club to "meliorate the Windows feel."

I don't know nearly you, but I don't fifty-fifty like my boss looking over my shoulder while I'1000 working. I sure as heck don't want consummate strangers monitoring and saving information about my every move.

Here'southward a overnice bit of info from the Microsoft "Privacy" website:

Finally, we will access, transfer, disclose, and preserve personal data, including your content (such equally the content of your emails in Outlook.com, or files in private folders on OneDrive), when we take a good faith conventionalities that doing so is necessary to: protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the apply of the services – however, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property of Microsoft, we will not inspect a client's private content ourselves, simply we may refer the thing to constabulary enforcement.

The Windows 10 default privacy settings leave a lot to be desired when information technology comes to protecting you and your individual data. Whenever I set a new calculator or update a current setup for my family or job, I ever advisedly get through the full general privacy settings for each install, making certain to lock information technology down to make it as private as possible.

In this commodity, I'll have you on a tour of those settings and show you which settings to change and how to practice and so to all-time protect your personal info. This information is upwardly to date as of the May 27, 2020 Windows 10 – Update Version 2004 (Build 19041.264). All information and screenshots will exist related to this build.

In some cases, you lot will take to make a decision about whether to err on the side of privacy or lean toward letting Microsoft monitor some of your deportment in favor of a more convenient calculating experience.

Note: Before we begin going through the settings you can change to reclaim your privacy, I'd like to mention a VPN-related consequence that a recent version of Windows was stricken with. Windows ten – Update 1903 (Build 18362.207) independent a bug that could touch on the operation of VPN-added services.

It should be noted that the bug simply affected certain enterprise installations of the operating arrangement, "when the diagnostic data level setting is manually configured to the non-default setting of 0."

Afterwards updates for Windows 10 fix the effect, so brand sure your enterprise machines are updated to the most recent build of Windows 10 if your machine is experiencing whatever VPN problems.

#1 – Don't Use the Limited Settings When Installing Windows 10

If yous haven't all the same installed Windows 10, or if y'all're planning on buying a PC with Windows 10 already installed, practice NOT use the "Express Settings" option when yous do your initial setup.

Instead, select "Custom Settings" so you can take charge of locking downwards your privacy from the get-go.

Selecting Custom Settings during setup of Windows 10 will let you to adjust the settings that control how your individual information is accessed by Microsoft.

Quick Tip: If y'all're not existent hot on the idea of keeping a lot of your personal information and other data "in the deject," consider creating a local login account instead of using a connected Microsoft account.

Go along in heed that this will prevent you from accessing whatever files and such that you might take already stored in Microsoft'southward OneDrive cloud storage.

Equally of the Fall Creators Windows Update, Windows 10 users tin can at present go direct access to the full privacy argument during installation. While I don't expect many users will actually read the entire statement, I mention it in society to point out that Microsoft has included "Acquire More" links in the text.

The "Learn More" links allow users to jump to relevant parts of the argument that might interest them. The sections include such information equally to how Windows 10 handles speech recognitions, location services, diagnostics and more.

#2 – Restrain Cortana

Cortana is Microsoft's entry into the virtual-assistant sweepstakes.

Much like Apple'southward Siri and Google's imaginatively-named Google Assistant, Cortana is a vox-activated intelligent personal assistant. It recognizes natural voice commands and tin can reply questions past accessing Microsoft's Bing search engine.

In addition to performing searches, Cortana can besides store and access personal information such as reminders, contacts, calendar dates and more.

A major drawback of the Cortana banana is that it indexes and stores your information, both on the local estimator and in the deject. (This allows Cortana to synchronize data across all of your Microsoft devices.)

Every bit of the release of the Windows 10 1903 Update, Microsoft carve up Windows Search and Cortana in the taskbar.

Yous'll now find Cortana as a divide icon next to the desktop search bar, every bit seen beneath. Clicking the search box in the taskbar at present offers search functionality, while clicking the Cortana icon will activate a voice-first digital assistant experience.

Privacy advocates accept long been concerned about the style Cortana gathers and stores personal user data. This has led Microsoft to permit users to somewhat control what Cortana accesses and stores.

However, what Microsoft giveth, Microsoft also taketh away.

As of the latest version of Windows 10 (the Creators Update is the latest as of this writing), the company has taken away the ability to toggle Cortana on and off.

Luckily, there is still a way to plough Cortana off, only it requires editing the registry and rebooting your computer.

For those not comfortable with dallying around in the Windows Registry, at that place are however means to get Cortana to dorsum off a chip from accessing everything you say or practise on your PC.

1. Controlling What Cortana Can Do

It's easy to limit how much admission Cortana has to your personal data and make it perform more than similar the Windows search box of old.

You lot can prevent information technology from collecting information about your spoken communication and handwriting patterns, also equally your text entry history. In improver, you can end the banana from sharing your usage history across all of your Windows devices.

The Cortana settings are available in the Cortana app, every bit seen below. To admission the Cortana settings, start the Cortana app past clicking the Cortana icon in the task bar, and then clicking the menu push button in the upper left-hand corner of the Cortana window (information technology looks like this: "…").

In the Settings screen, you'll encounter a "Privacy" carte option in the "Account" department. Click that.

The next screen yous'll see is the Privacy settings. Here you lot tin can view what Cortana knows about yous, control Cortana's access to your Calendar and Email, clear all Cortana information and clear your Cortana Conversation History.

Talking to Cortana

Also in the Settings department of Cortana is the "Talking to Cortana" option, equally seen below.

When you click this menu option, you'll see the screen beneath, where you tin control whether or not Cortana is continually listening for its summoning phrase, "Cortana." If you turn it on, you can gear up Cortana to respond when anyone says "Cortana."

If this is toggled to "Off," it won't monitor your speech, possibly lowering the chance of your voice existence monitored. Equally a overnice side benefit, your Windows laptop will last a bit longer when information technology'due south running on battery ability.

If this ane is toggled to "on," yous tin can press the Windows logo key + C to tell Cortana to listen to your commands. If you decide to let Cortana hang effectually, this might be the way to go. It won't listen for anything until you printing the shortcut key combo.

Permissions & History

In the Permissions & History section of the Cortana settings, you can review the activity from all of your Cortana devices, change what the personal assistant knows about y'all in the cloud, manage the data Cortana has access to and manage what she can access from other services.

• Deject Content Search

When this is turned on, Cortana will include your content saved in the cloud, such as on your OneDrive storage, when providing search results. If yous desire to have access to all of your files, no matter where yous saved them, yo​u'll want to accept this set to "On." If y'all're more concerned with security, toggle it to "Off."

(Note: As of the Windows 10 1903 Update, you lot'll find this toggle in the "Search" department of the Settings app. In before versions of Windows 10, yous'll notwithstanding find it in Cortana's settings.)

• History

By default, Cortana saves the searches you perform in apps, settings and other histories from any devices that you sign in on with your Microsoft account. You can disable the device history in this area and clear the history on your device. You tin disable "My search history" past toggling it to "Off."

(Annotation: As of the Windows 10 1903 Update, you'll discover this toggle in the "Search" section of the Settings app. In before versions of Windows 10, yous'll still find it in Cortana'due south settings.)

2. Plough Off Cortana Personalization

To disable Cortana's personalization, to stop data collection and to clear all of the data Cortana has associated with a detail device, do the following:

Click your mouse pointer on the Cortana search icon, found in the toolbar of your Windows 10 desktop. In one case the Cortana display appears, click the bill of fare icon and and then the "Sign out" icon, every bit shown above.

When the Account window appears, click the "Sign out" link for your Microsoft business relationship.

When y'all sign out of Cortana on your computer, the information nerveless by Cortana associated with that PC is automatically cleared. Data collected by Cortana on other devices remains intact until you sign out of Cortana on those devices.

3. Hide Cortana

If you lot'd like to continue Cortana completely out of your style, brusk of excavation into the Windows registry, practice the following:

1. Right-click anywhere on the taskbar.
2. Click the "Prove Cortana button" option to toggle showing the Cortana button in the taskbar.

4. Cortana Speakers

With the release of the Windows ten Fall Creators Update, the operating system now supports dedicated Cortana speakers, which tin be fix from your PC and used around the house.

The speakers operate much like Amazon's lineup of Echo Alexa-powered speakers and Google'south Habitation speakers. The first available speaker to make use of Cortana is the Harman Kardon Invoke.

The Cortana speakers, in addition to being able to play music from streaming services or from your PC or mobile device, will be "e'er on," listening for questions and commands from users. The privacy risks of these new speakers are comparable to those presented past the Alexa and Google Home speakers, and should be considered before purchasing and using the speakers.

#3 – Turn Off Ad Tracking

If y'all decided to go with "Express Settings" when yous installed Windows 10, you can exist sure the operating system is tracking your every move and mining your personal data for everything it is worth.

This includes supplying data to its advert partners, who then apply that info to evidence ads targeted at you, online and within Windows itself.

When advertisement tracking is enabled, Windows generates a unique advertising ID for each user, which is intended for utilize by app developers and ad network to "provide more relevant ad in apps." Apps tin can access the ID and use information technology in much the aforementioned fashion websites access and use a unique identifier included in a cookie.

I should note that such tracking is cipher new, as Google and other search providers take been doing the same thing with cookies and information they collect from your web searches. (Which is why those foot fungus ointment ads are following y'all effectually wherever y'all proceed the internet. You really should consult with your medico virtually that.)

To plough off advertisement tracking, do the following:

1. Click or tap the Windows Outset button in the lower left-paw corner of your Windows desktop.
2. Click or tap the "Settings" icon. (Information technology's that piddling gear only above the "power" button icon.)
3. Click or tap the "Privacy" icon in the Settings menu.
4. In the Privacy bill of fare, click or tap the "General" menu option if it isn't already selected.
5. Plough off "Allow apps use my advertizement ID for experiences beyond apps," as shown below.

If you're interested in protecting your privacy while using Windows ten, this is a bang-up place to start. I would toggle all four settings shown in the screenshot to a higher place to the "Off" position.

These four options are:

• "Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more than interesting to you lot based on your app activity." (If y'all turn this off, it resets your ID – which is a good matter.)

A annotation from Microsoft about this option: Turning the advertising ID off volition not reduce the number of ads you run into, but it may mean that ads are less interesting and relevant to you. Turning it back on will reset the advertizing ID.

• "Let websites provide locally-relevant content by accessing my language list."
• "Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results."​
• "Prove me suggested content in the Settings app."

#iv – Disable Location Tracking

When Location Tracking is turned on, Windows and its apps are allowed to detect the current location of your calculator or device. This tin can be used to pinpoint your exact location.

This is especially handy for mobile devices, such every bit Windows tablets or Surface devices, due to location-based apps such as restaurant finders and navigation apps.

While it is a handy feature, it'due south also a privacy-leaking characteristic that should likely be turned off if you truly desire to protect your identity on the web.

Shutting off this characteristic on your laptop is probable to have less impact than turning it off on a mobile device, due to the latter's mobile nature and heavier utilize of location services.

I generally keep Location Tracking turned off on my desktop and fifty-fifty laptop devices. I apply an iPhone for my daily calling and texting needs, and I exit location tracking turned on for my handset (but only for things similar "Detect My iPhone" and "Find My Friends.")

Past leaving both turned on for my iPhone, my wife knows where I am at all times in example of an emergency. And I, of course, know their whereabouts for the same reasons.

Location for a device can be either set for a device or merely a particular user.

To turn off Location Services for a device, go to the "Privacy" department of the Settings app and click "Location." Once in that location, toggle the "Location for this device" switch to "Off" to disable Location Services for all users of the device.

If the "Location for this device" switch is left to the "On" position, it volition be left upwards to yous whether or not Location Services are enabled for your login on the device, as shown below.

When the Location Service is turned on, as seen above, any app that is making use of the device's location will display a unique icon, which looks like a dot with a circle around it.

Default Location

If location is turned off completely, skip to the side by side relevant section.

If desired, y'all can also gear up a default location for those times when Windows tin can't find a more precise location. If you are leaving location settings enabled, and you're on a desktop computer, this could be helpful.

Location History

If Location is on, Windows will store your location history "for a limited time" on the device, and whatsoever apps that use the Windows location information can access the history.

If you're sensitive nigh sharing where you've gone in the past, press the "Clear" button as seen below to erase the location history stored on the device.

Note: Pressing the "Clear" button gets rid of the location history stored locally, just not in the cloud.
To clear the location info that may take been stored in the deject, you'll need to click or tap the "Manage my location info that's stored in the cloud" link, equally seen below. Windows will open a browser window where you can then erase your cloud location info.

Users can also specify which apps can access and make use of your location data. Whatever installed app that can take reward of that information will be displayed in a list. Users tin then toggle the app's location access off or on, as they want.

Geofencing

Geofencing uses GPS information, or local radio frequency information such as Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth beacons, to create a virtual boundary around a location.

This enables devices and apps to offer yous information, such equally a special at a nearby restaurant, or a reminder to pick up your dry cleaning when you're most the cleaners.

While geofencing tin be a valuable tool in twenty-four hour period-to-day activities, it too uses your device'due south location, which means it knows where you are and where yous've been.

An app tin employ geofencing if Location Services are turned on for that app. So, suit permissions accordingly.

#5 – Control Camera Access

Have you ever felt similar someone was watching you? (And you had no privacy? Woh-oh-oh.)

My mother in law actually puts tape over the built-in camera on both her laptop and her tablet. (I guess I shouldn't mock her – the word is that Marking Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, also puts tape over his webcams.)

Camera access in Windows 10 can be easily controlled. Using the "Camera" menu in the "Privacy" section of the Settings app, you can completely turn off access to your reckoner or tablet's built-in or connected photographic camera. You can also fix camera admission on an app-by-app ground.

Full general access by the system is controlled past the now-familiar toggle switch located just under the "Let apps use my camera hardware" label, as seen higher up.

For those of you lot who may accept just skimmed the article, toggling a switch like this to "On" allows Windows apps access to that particular feature. Toggling information technology to "Off" disallows any access.

While photographic camera access is a genuine privacy business concern, I usually leave mine on for my business relationship and plow it off under my kids' accounts. While I prefer to set up camera access on an app-past-app footing for my account, I feel safer with apps under my children's accounts not having access to it.

If the toggle switch is set up to "On," y'all can control each individual app's access to the camera by using each app'south associated toggle switch.

When turning camera access off for an app, it should be noted that this only prevents the app from directly accessing the camera hardware. Information technology tin can notwithstanding request to open the built-in Windows Camera app, which can only capture images or video when you explicitly allow it to do so.

Heck, perhaps Zuckerberg has it correct – just put a sticker or a piece of tape over the photographic camera. If Edward Snowden is correct, the NSA has at least a couple of ways to spy on you via your computer's camera. That same Wired report provides some links to a good number of fashionable ways to cover the camera. Yep, Howdy Kitty stickers too.

#6 – Command Microphone Access

While allowing Windows admission to your computer'southward microphone – whether it be born, or the connected type – might not seem as much of a privacy risk as assuasive admission to the device'south camera, it tin can still exist a touchy subject.

Just as with my Photographic camera settings, I get out the "Let apps use my microphone" toggle switch to "On" and and then decide which individual apps to allow to take admission to the mic. It just makes sense to permit Skype access to the mic, while Photos and the Windows Shop don't really need information technology to function properly.

For this setting, I would say let or block on an app-level basis. It volition become clear to yous after a while which apps actually require access to your device'due south microphone.

Mark Zuckerberg as well puts a piece of record over his laptop's congenital-in microphone – and then maybe yous should get that scroll of blackness tape out of the drawer, also.

#7 – Oral communication, Inking, & Typing

These sections of the Privacy dashboard settings control how you tin can use your voice to talk to Cortana, or sure applications you download from the Windows Store. Information technology also uses your vocalisation input to improve Microsoft's cloud-based speech services. (Then, aye. It sends your phonation samples to the cloud.)

It also controls if Windows uses your typing history (and handwriting patterns on Surface devices and other tablets) to create a local user lexicon, which is supposed to brand better text-entry suggestions for you.

When this is toggled off, you can no longer speak to Cortana, and your typing and inking user dictionary will be cleared of data. Some speech services, those that do non rely on the cloud, will still piece of work. Typing suggestions and handwriting recognition using the local organisation's dictionary will also yet work.

Toggling this setting to the "Off" position will aid you in your effort to improve your privacy, only it volition too lead to the loss of some features you have become used to.

As seems to be the fashion of the online world these days, y'all'll demand to walk the tightrope betwixt convenience and privacy.

A Quick Annotation Almost App Access

Before we examine the settings that command what kind of admission Windows apps have to your personal data – such as Contacts, Calendar, Account Info and more – allow'southward have a look at a argument from Microsoft almost such controls.

Exceptions to the privacy settings

Desktop apps won't announced in your Choose apps that can apply/admission/control/read my [Capability] lists and are non affected past the Let apps apply/access/read my [Adequacy] setting. To allow or block desktop apps, use the settings in those applications.

How tin you tell if an app is a desktop app? Desktop apps are commonly downloaded from the Internet or installed with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device). They're launched using an .EXE or .DLL file, and they typically run on your device different web-based apps (which run in the deject). You can too notice desktop apps in the Windows Store.

Basically, what this means is that whatsoever app you install yourself, be it downloaded from the net or installed from a CD – or yes, even a floppy – is not beholden to respect your Windows data access settings. As e'er, be damned conscientious near installing apps from unknown sources.

With the release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, users have greater control over which apps can access their information, photographic camera, microphones and other privacy-sensitive objects.

Previously, users were only prompted to grant an app access if the app required access to a user's location data; all other permissions were granted automatically. Apps installed via the Windows Store will now require explicit permission to an app before information technology can take access.

The new rules simply utilise to apps installed from the Windows Store after the installation of the Fall Creators update. However, users tin can manage permissions for existing apps by going to "Start" -> "Settings" -> "Privacy" and selecting an individual app earlier so turning app permissions on or off.

#8 – Control App Access to Your Account Info

This setting controls whether or not to allow apps to access your user data. Such information includes your proper name, photo and "other account info." (Thanks for the details, Microsoft!)

Toggling this setting to "Off" blocks access past any apps. Toggling it to "On" allows decision-making access to such information on an app-by-app basis. Microsoft claims turning off Account Info access for an app may not permit it to work as intended.

When the choice is set up to "On," yous'll see a listing of apps that might demand Account Info admission. You lot can turn that access on or off on an individual basis. I propose contacting the programmer of any app y'all might have questions about and query them as to what type of Account Info the app uses.

#9 – Control App Admission to Your Contacts

Guess what the Contacts toggle switch does?

No, it doesn't accept anything to do with that glutinous newspaper your Mom used to line her kitchen shelves with. This switch decides whether Windows apps will have access to your Address Book.

If you toggle this one to "Off," it blocks all apps from accessing your Contacts. Toggling it to "On" allows yous to designate which apps become the gilded ticket to access your Uncle Al'southward telephone number. (It's a landline. Uncle Al rolls old-school.)

As with the Account Info toggle, if you lot turn this off completely, or on an app-by-app basis, information technology may cause some apps not to operate as intended. This is another subject you lot should contact the developer on for any app you lot might have questions about.

#x – Control App Admission to Your Calendars

This should be getting somewhat familiar by now. This switch controls app access to your Calendars. When it's toggled to "Off," information technology turns off all app admission to your Calendar info.

When it's turned on, and so you go to decide which lucky Windows app gets to look through your upcoming dates. (And I use the term "dates" loosely. "Dinner with Uncle Al" is not a date.)

What you practice in these settings depends on how y'all utilise your calculator and the various apps that might need access to your Agenda information.

I myself did some experimenting with the settings until I constitute a level that offered a mixture of privacy and convenience that I could be comfy with.

#11 – Control App Access to Your Call History

Windows Privacy settings too control an app's access to your call history. If yous turn this off, it disallows all apps from accessing whatsoever of your phone call history information. Turn this on, and you can ready admission to said info on an app-by-app basis.

Personally, I proceed this turned off. I don't make any calls via my Windows computer, or a Windows Phone, equally I utilise an iPhone to make calls. However, your mileage may vary, and yous may observe you need to control this on a granular level.

#12 – Control App Admission to Your Email

I don't know about you, but access to my e-mail, both personal and business-related, is a touchy subject for me. I barely trust whatsoever email provider not to monitor my inbox, let alone other apps.

My e-mail is my lifeline to the outside world. Virtually all of my communications with business organisation associates, also as friends and family, commonly laissez passer through my inbox. I am very protective of the years of information that fleck of storage holds. (I'grand reasonably sure I nonetheless have the first email I e'er received in my kickoff Gmail account years ago.)

I plough this 1 completely off – but if you have a specialized app that actually needs access to your e-mail, then yous might desire to exercise things on an app-past-app basis.

#xiii – Command App Access to Your Tasks

Tasks can be another sensitive subject with me. My daily tasks list is the bible I build my solar day-to-day work life on, and I'm touchy about anyone gaining access to this information. (Heck, if I didn't accept to, I wouldn't even share the info with my boss, simply…)

As we've seen with similar groups of settings, turning this switch to "Off" shuts every app out of your tasks data. Leave information technology on, and it's your responsibility to expect through the app listing and determine which apps really need access to the list.

Information technology should be noted that the built-in Mail and Calendar apps will always take access to your tasks, no matter what settings yous decide on, which makes sense.

#14 – Control App Access to Your Text Messages

I don't practise much messaging via Windows. Most of my messaging is performed through my Mac and iOS devices. Nevertheless, I do apply Skype on my Windows PC, so this setting matters a bit in my example.

On this screen, y'all can either become all the mode, turning off messaging access for all apps, or get out general admission turned on, and decide on an app level equally to which apps really need admission to your text messages.

#15 – Command App Access to Your Computer's "Radios"

When I say control access to your computer's radios, I don't hateful the one information technology uses to listen to Cubs games during baseball season. The radios we're looking at are the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi transmitters your Windows computer uses to connect to local networks, accessories and other devices, such as beacons.

Allowing access to your computer'southward radio capabilities has some fairly meaning privacy implications. By enabling admission, you could leave yourself open to tracking via your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.

Access to radios are also used to share information, like files, messages and other centrally located info, and then turning off app access may be ill-advised. However, unless you're enlightened of a detail app y'all use that requires this admission, I'd be inclined to advise you to turn it off.

#16 – Control App Admission to Your Computer'southward "Other Devices"

This part of the Privacy dashboard allows yous to selection and cull how apps share and sync information with those devices that do non already specifically pair with your computer. Every bit usual, you can turn it off completely, or get out it on and pick and choose which apps are allowed to share info with those "other devices."

You'll want to be careful which apps y'all permit to sync with other trusted devices; this could represent a fleck of a security pigsty if the apps are playing fast and loose with your personal data.

If you're in uncertainty, contact the developer of the app. Any reputable developer should be more than happy to explain what the app might share.

#17 – Control Diagnostics & Feedback

This is where y'all control how much diagnostics and usage data Windows will phone home to Microsoft.

The Redmond firm doesn't allow users to turn it completely off, so the best you can practise here is click the "Basic" radio button to ship the minimal corporeality of information possible dorsum to the mothership.

Toggle off the switch right below the "Permit Microsoft provide more tailored experiences…" paragraph. There's no reason to exist sending that info.

The final option in this section is how often to allow Windows to enquire y'all for feedback. While some people are generous with their fourth dimension, others just don't desire to exist bothered.

You tin can set this for "Never" (my favorite) or allow it to inquire you for feedback anywhere from once a week to "Automatically." If yous're a sharing kind of person, go ahead and allow them ask for feedback to their heart'southward content. As for me, I prefer to continue it to myself.

#18 – Command Background Apps

This section allows yous to decide what apps, if any, volition be allowed to run in the background, quietly sending and receiving information, offer notifications and updating themselves, even when they're not existence actively used.

You lot tin can turn off groundwork apps completely or select i-by-1 which apps will be immune to sit in the background, sending info and eating up precious processor cycles and battery life when you're out and most.

I don't know how you feel about things, but I don't retrieve Candy Trounce needs to be running in the background. Pick and choose wisely, my friends.

#19 – Control App Diagnostics

In this last section of the Privacy dashboard, the user is required to decide whether or not to let apps to access diagnostic data nearly other apps. Microsoft says some apps use diagnostic data from other apps to run as intended.

Information that could be accessed includes the user account that launched an app, as well equally the app's memory, CPU, disk and network usage (we are already "sharing" too much info…).

While I know sharing is caring, I say turn this one off. If yous detect an app that previously had access to this information isn't operating every bit it should, then turn it back on for that unmarried app. Otherwise, avoid this ane similar the plague. (I particularly don't like the whole "who launched the app" bit of info it collects.)

#20 – Automatic File Downloads

"Automatic File Downloads" is a new addition to the general Privacy settings in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.

This section allows you lot to unblock apps from automatically downloading online-only files from OneDrive and other online cloud storage services. If you use online storage to continue your hard drive from filling upward, you'll likely desire to permit apps to accept access to deject-only files on a case-by-case basis.

#21 – Manage Privacy Settings in the Border Browser

Microsoft Edge is the default browser in Windows 10. It replaces the venerable simply long-overdue-for-retirement Internet Explorer every bit Microsoft's browser of choice.

Microsoft says Edge is clean, lightweight and fast. But nowhere do they mention that it is more secure.

In this department, we'll take a expect at the Edge browser and which settings require a closer look in order to protect your privacy. I'll guide you through the settings and discuss what they control, and how they should be adjusted to offer complete privacy.

To access Edge's privacy section, run the browser and then click the three dots ("…") found in the upper right-manus corner of the browser. In the menu that opens, scroll down until you find the "Settings" option. Click that.

The settings I'll be showing you reside in the Settings and the Advanced Settings areas of the Border card

1. Clear Browsing Information

While you're in the Settings menu, scroll down until you run across "Articulate browsing data." Click the "Choose what to clear" button.

In the "Choose what to articulate" menu, yous'll run into advanced options for what you tin delete from the Edge browsing data. Default things to clear include: browsing history, cookies and salvage website data, cached information and files, tabs that have been prepare aside or recently closed, download history, form data, passwords, media licenses and website permissions. Likewise bachelor are location information permissions, also as webcam and microphone permissions.

Select the browsing data y'all'd similar to clear and then click the "Articulate" push button.

You can also toggle the "Always clear this when I shut the browser" switch to "On," and then Microsoft Border volition automatically articulate the selected data each time the browser is closed. This is a bully idea for the privacy-inclined – nonetheless forgetful – users among us.

What yous select to articulate here is mostly a choice between convenience and privacy.

I, personally, always click the following to clear it: browsing history, cookies and salve website data, cached data and files, download history, form data and passwords. This makes it a flake tougher for hackers, government agents and other bad guys to track my browsing habits via the Border browser.

2. Advanced Settings

In the Settings card, you'll see a section labeled "Advanced Settings." Click the "View advanced settings" button. This volition open the rest of the privacy options available in Border.

In the Avant-garde Settings menu, users can control a number of privacy-related options. This department besides includes not-privacy-related options, but I'll only be covering the options that impact your privacy. I'll listing each 1 and then offering my thoughts on which way you lot should decide on each feature and explain why I think that way.

Cake Popular-Ups

"Block pop-ups" should always be left on. Pop-ups are a security hazard – and if zero else, they're incredibly aggravating to the user.

Employ Adobe Flash Player

This ane is, and always will be, a strong NO!

Flash is a resources-waster and 1 of the biggest security hazards around. Wink Player absolutely screams "come become me" to the bad guys. Ever leave this one set to "Off."

Proxy Setup

I've discussed proxies in other articles on this website. Basically, a proxy is a second party that takes spider web-related requests from you and passes them onto the target website. It and so returns the requested content back to your computer, without e'er revealing your actual IP address.

While proxy servers tin exist a valuable privacy tool, I've ever recommended using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server if possible, as it also encrypts your information in improver to interim as a middleman. If y'all don't take access to a VPN, a proxy server is a decent alternative. Be sure to brand employ of this feature.

Offer to Salvage Passwords

I continue this one turned to the "Off" position. I have never been a fan of keeping passwords stored in a browser. I prefer using a countersign-manager app. They are much more secure, equally well-nigh password managers encrypt the stored data.

Save Course Entries

Once more, I keep this ane turned off, as stored-form entries can consist of your personal info. This includes your name, accost, phone number or even sensitive data such every bit banking info.

Stored information similar this is used with the autofill characteristic for online forms. I don't employ that characteristic either. Who knows what other information is beingness requested past hidden fields on a web form?

Send Do Not Track Requests

I keep this one turned on. This allows your browser to tell websites you don't want your browser activity on their sites to be monitored. Certain, websites aren't required to honor this asking, merely more and more of them are complying with such requests.

Take Cortana Assist Me in Microsoft Edge

I ready this i to "Off." The less you have to do with Cortana, the less data is being sent to the Microsoft servers.

Search in the Address Bar with…

Bing is Microsoft's default search engine, and when you enter a URL for a search term in the address bar, information technology is sent to the Bing servers.

If you lot don't desire to transport your search and other info to Microsoft for tracking, use DuckDuckGo or some other search engine that doesn't store their users' search info. Click the "Modify search engine" push and use a privacy-oriented search site.

I e'er use DuckDuckGo, but it'south up to the individual how much privacy they want to give up for the sake of added convenience.

Show Search and Site Suggestions every bit I Type

If this is set to "On," everything you enter is sent to the Microsoft servers for analyzing in order to return suggestions. More fodder for the Microsoft marketing engine. Therefore, switch information technology off.

Cookies

Here, y'all can select "Block all cookies," "Block merely third political party cookies" or "Don't block cookies." Cookies can exist useful while browsing, equally they save your login session and preferences for websites. Still, they tin can likewise exist used to track your travels effectually the web for advertising purposes and such.

It's your phone call on this one. I usually set it to "Cake only third party cookies," as that allows websites to still save session cookies, but doesn't allow advertisers to runway me around the web.

Apply Page Prediction to Speed Up Browsing, Improve Reading, and Make My Overall Feel Better

Nope. Turn it off.

This is designed to improve your browsing experience by preloading links found on the web page you're currently viewing. This means websites could peradventure fix cookies in your browser just every bit if you had actually clicked the link to their website.

This is a privacy drawback, and it'southward not needed in today'southward world of fast internet connections.

Help Protect Me From Malicious Sites and Downloads with Windows Defender SmartScreen

If this is enabled, it helps detect phishing and other malicious types of websites, helping to protect y'all against the bad guys getting your personal information and from downloading or installing malware.

As the characteristic sends your browsing data back to Microsoft for analysis, this is ane of those times when you have to determine whether or not to allow a bit less privacy in the favor of protecting your personal data and protecting your computer from malware.

I err on the side of protection, and I keep this turned on. You should likewise.

Action Steps

We've covered quite a bit in a short fourth dimension, only past following a few unproblematic rules, you can lock your Windows 10 installation down to offer first-class protection for your privacy, while still making the most of the operating system.

i. Never Utilise the Express Settings Option When Installing or Upgrading to Windows ten

That likewise goes for setting up whatever new computer you might purchase that runs ten. Express Settings is only another mode to enquire, "is it okay if nosotros plunder your personal information for profit?"

2. Lock Down Cortana

If you're comfortable plenty making changes to the Windows Registry, I suggest turning off Cortana completely and going back to the old school "Observe" level of Windows search.

3. Control What Cortana Has Access To

The more things you let her "assist" with, the more information that gets sent back to Microsoft.

4. Turn Off Advert Tracking

Never let Microsoft or anyone else to track your activities on the web.

five. Disable Location Tracking – Especially on a Laptop

While some mobile devices require location-tracking for Maps and navigation apps, there really is no reason for Windows on a laptop to need this.

6. Control Camera and Microphone Access

This is an peculiarly sensitive subject for computers used by kids. If you have to, put a piece of tape over the photographic camera and mic. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

7. Control What Information Windows Apps Can Access

If left to its ain devices, Windows will allow installed apps determine for themselves if they need access to your account, contact, emails, tasks and other personal info. Don't let them accept information technology.

eight. Lock Downward the General Privacy Settings in the Microsoft Border Browser

Just like Cortana, Edge will monitor your deportment for all that information technology's worth if information technology isn't fabricated to do otherwise.
Well, as you can come across, there are a lot of settings you need to keep rail of if you lot want to repossess your privacy on Windows ten. Luckily, if you're willing to invest the time, your piece of work will pay dividends when your privacy is on the line.

Windows 10 Privacy Settings FAQ

Is Windows 10 Privacy Really That Bad?

Windows ten continues to accept privacy problems. Information technology collects and sends data near your usage, also as some personal information, dorsum to Microsoft's servers. While you can prevent some of this by following the steps I've outlined in this article, you'll never be able to lock it downwards completely.

Does Windows 10 Accept Built In Spyware?

It depends on what your definition of spyware is. Windows x does ship information about your usage, every bit well as a limited bit of personal information, back to Microsoft. This can include the website addresses and search terms y'all enter in the Microsoft Edge accost bar, information about the images on your hard drive, and more than.

However, Microsoft claims this information is nerveless on an anonymous ground and that none of the information is connected directly to a user.

Does Microsoft Border Spy On You lot?

Microsoft Edge does track your browsing and search history. Yet, Microsoft does not track your browsing history or search history when you use Chrome or Firefox. (Of course with Chrome, Google is tracking you lot, which opens some other wealth of privacy problems.)

You can lock down some of this tracking in the privacy settings for Windows and the Microsoft Border browser.

Why Is Windows 10 Reverting My Privacy Settings?

Windows 10 tin can revert some of your privacy settings following an update to the operating system. This can happen when a Windows 10 update from Microsoft sees a particular setting that has been changed by a tertiary-party program, or if it needs to modify a setting to allow the update. While you can manually change the privacy settings again, information technology is frustrating.

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Source: https://pixelprivacy.com/resources/windows-privacy-settings/

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