Does it concern you Microsoft's spying on you with Windows 10?

[WiiCube_2013]

Maybe "spying" is not the right word to use but a lot of people seem to be freaked out about Windows 10 logging what they do, however, they forget about all their accounts throughout the internet (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, PornTube, XVideos and whatever they're into) so it's hard to make a point as such.

I still don't know how I feel about this but honestly, Windows 10 for the time being works like a wonder and have nothing against it (minus this, I guess).

P.S.: Linux distros with Wine support can run Windows applications so it's not as if it's tough to get used to, it just requires to get to the habit of using it.

 

[TecXero]

Well, I don't use Windows and I don't really care if people know what I look up. If anything, I feel sorry for people who would have to go through my stuff for whatever reason.

 

[RustInPeace]

Windows 10 for the time being works like a wonder and have nothing against it (minus this, I guess).
.

My time with Windows 10 is pretty different. On the spy thing, I think you can disable that. After installing, I went on a site that made suggestions on how to stop Windows from spying, using your bandwidth and other stuff.

That bit's not a problem because I think it's all cleaned out. The problems started with installation, which I've gathered was a graphic driver issue, because I'm running dual GTX980TIs. It took many tries, but eventually I installed Windows 10, albeit that final successful try was rocky. I can't refresh it, because I get "inaccessible boot device."

Why refresh it? The other problem. Audio driver. Realtek HD Audio Driver, though having a Windows 10 driver available (that's probably just their 7/8/8.1 drivers made to try and work with 10), has been a pain. I believe it's them, because I haven't had this specific issue when plugging the earphones into the TV, which uses NVIDIA's HD audio driver.

The specific issue is audio cracks, stutters. They last for about a second, and the aggravation in tackling this is mostly because I didn't know it was a driver issue at first. I thought it was MPC, so time was spent playing with settings. Didn't work.

Disabled CPU throttling, didn't work. Updated bios, didn't work. Disabled High Precision Event Timer via Device Manager, I can't on BIOS. It worked, to an extent, decreasing the occurrences. Uninstalled driver, didn't matter because the driver came back.

Now I followed it where I manually updated the driver by using the generic one from Windows 10.

So far, no problems. This is worrying because it affected streaming videos, and surely would affect PC gaming, which I plan on going into now that the PC's fully built. I just need a new monitor.

 

[jDSX]

I'm more worried about the whole policy of tampering with you pirated games and software then anything else.

 

[RustInPeace]

I'm more worried about the whole policy of tampering with you pirated games and software then anything else.

To what extent with the pirated software? I installed a couple of those with no problem, other than unzipping, because Windows Defender wipes them out immediately. Disabling that does the trick.

 

[war2thegrave]

10 or 15 years ago would have been the time to freak out about microsoft's spying operations,
but people were fearful of being portrayed as "tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists".

Now, not so much. The damage has already been done.
Microsoft is far from the only company doing it. These days, it would be more challenging to find
a computer connected device or internet based service that isn't spying on you.

 

[jDSX]

Stuff that wouldn't let me install ccleaner or daemon tools without admin privileges (I am the admin wth?) and couldn't install it unless I was online with a microsoft account. This was after I installed three updates and some other strange things like all my folders turned into read only so I couldn't modify them (not windows files mind you) I ended up downgraded from there. I tell everyone to watch out with the games they got from "other sources" installed.

 

[cracker]

Privacy should always be a concern but I'm only planning on using it on my totally legit laptop. What is more concerning is the way drivers are handled with Windows always wanting to be in control. From what I read, the Nvidia client and Windows can keep conflicting with each other and cause a struggle. Having to let Windows keep the graphics driver up to date isn't something I want to do. This is my main reason for not upgrading yet.

 

[Originality]

For those that are bothered by it, there's always the option to disable it at any time. As for me, I left most of it on because I'm not bothered by the anonymous data collected for various random tasks performed. I only turned off the ones that collect locational data, because I don't think they need to know where I live.

As for the Cortana logs... If them seeing me say "Hey Cortana, tell me a joke" and "Hey Cortana, can you shut down the PC yet?" on a daily basis helps them improve the service, then all the better.

 

[yuyuyup]

When I absolutely must install windows 10 for dx12, I'll go with a plenty-hacked up version

 

[nl255]

For those that are bothered by it, there's always the option to disable it at any time. As for me, I left most of it on because I'm not bothered by the anonymous data collected for various random tasks performed. I only turned off the ones that collect locational data, because I don't think they need to know where I live.

As for the Cortana logs... If them seeing me say "Hey Cortana, tell me a joke" and "Hey Cortana, can you shut down the PC yet?" on a daily basis helps them improve the service, then all the better.

What makes you think it is anonymous? Remember one of the things they collect are your logins and passwords as part of the keystroke monitoring. Yeah, they claim it is for autocorrect improvements but if you look at their policy it says they can share that data with anyone they damn well please.

After all, they have your Windows Live account information and a unique token that links your account information to all the "anonymous" data they collect. Of course, you could still say it is technically anonymous because it is linked to a machine/account rather than an individual person.

 

[shaunj66]

Is there a consolidated list with verified sources of all these spying claims in Windows 10?

 

[Originality]

If it is as you say, then it's a matter of time until anti trust lawsuits pile in. Either way, I'm not worried.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Does it concern you virtually every online service you've ever signed up for "spies on you"? Got a Gmail account? Congratulations, you're being "spied on" by Google. Got a Facebook account? Same. Twitter? Instagram? eBay? People don't seem to realize that the data they collect has virtually no value beyond marketing research and search optimization, not a single company or organization cares if you like watching torture porn, beyond trying to sell you torture porn. People are just bitching for the sake of bitching, as always. If people don't want their precious youtube history seen, they might as well leave the internet.

As mentioned before by Originality, the only thing I've disable for Window's 10's data collection is location and that's it. I don't care if Microsoft wants to know I like goats in coats and I play lots of games. The rest of it can be disabled, too, and there are already giant lists on how to do it.

Is there a consolidated list with verified sources of all these spying claims in Windows 10?

There isn't any actual spying going on, it just collects various bits of data like what you search for or asking Cortana questions or what you check out on the Microsoft Store...AKA what everyone else does. The only difference is Microsoft comes out and just tells people they're collecting the data, so everyone just assumes Microsoft now has access to their bank accounts and they can tell all their friends they like looking at horse dicks.

I'm more worried about the whole policy of tampering with you pirated games and software then anything else.

This is only a thing for Microsoft software only...which is absolutely within their rights as the owners of that software. Might as well start bitching at Nintendo for blocking flashcards, it's the same thing.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

Maybe "spying" is not the right word to use but a lot of people seem to be freaked out about Windows 10 logging what they do, however, they forget about all their accounts throughout the internet (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, PornTube, XVideos and whatever they're into) so it's hard to make a point as such.

I still don't know how I feel about this but honestly, Windows 10 for the time being works like a wonder and have nothing against it (minus this, I guess).

P.S.: Linux distros with Wine support can run Windows applications so it's not as if it's tough to get used to, it just requires to get to the habit of using it.

PornTube, Xvids..... Eww xD

 

[Spaqin]

Not anymore - I spent around an hour doing stuff found on /g/, to disable everything that could compromise my privacy, including copying a list into hosts file.
I'm the guy who browses facebook under a fake name through TOR though and uses TrueCrypt, so it's not really a good indicator.

If only Windows 10 didn't work like shit, I'd be pretty happy with it. Start Menu search doesn't work for me and often BSODs on shutdown for no reason.

 

[jonthedit]

Not anymore - I spent around an hour doing stuff found on /g/, to disable everything that could compromise my privacy, including copying a list into hosts file.
I'm the guy who browses facebook under a fake name through TOR though and uses TrueCrypt, so it's not really a good indicator.

If only Windows 10 didn't work like shit, I'd be pretty happy with it. Start Menu search doesn't work for me and often BSODs on shutdown for no reason.

LOOL "uses TrueCrypt"
"uses TOR"
Good luck man! You are getting spied on more than most of us ;p

OnTopic:
The only thing I found irritating was there was no 'off' for diagnostic reporting. I had to use regedit. OOOH so nefarious Microsoft!

 

[Spaqin]

LOOL "uses TrueCrypt"

Have you seen TrueCrypt audit?
It's been deemed safe, with only one error that shouldn't be much of a problem, with random seed generator and one of the components not initialling properly in a very rare case. TrueCrypt still hasn't been cracked by FBI or anyone.

"uses TOR"
Good luck man! You are getting spied on more than most of us ;p

And TOR too hasn't been exactly cracked either. If I were using it for drug deals, I'd use encryption over that, and surely would not admin SilkRoad in a public place, like Ross Ulbricht :^)

Anyway, it's all better than no security measures at all.

 

[retrofan_k]

When I absolutely must install windows 10 for dx12, I'll go with a plenty-hacked up version

Exactly what I'm doing, as it's best to sit back and watch the fireworks for a bit. Like any new OS, it's advisable to let the bugs get ironed out first and wait for service packs, proper supported drivers, etc.

No doubt, we'll all have to update for DX12 features at some point like Win X games. The Killer Instinct port of the Xbone is one of them already.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

Yah, I love TOR, who knows what my ISP is doing on their lunch breaks!

Also they're not really spying on us, Windows 10 is just sending logs and usage data. Nothing personal, that would be illegal!

I also love Windows 10, the double thumbs up!