The new Windows 10 has now been out for one year and people have weighed in with comments like no ones business. So what is Windows 10, a Friend or Foe??
Well let me start this off right now by saying that I think Windows 10 is an amazing operating system. It has taken the best of both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 and put them together with the addition of new features. I have been using Windows 10 for two years now as I have been apart of the Windows 10 Insider Preview release since September 2014. I have seen the operating system grow and mature into what it is today. So then if it's all so great, why are people hesitating to move to it?
Windows 10 Security and Privacy
Over the past several months a lot of people have chimed in on the so called privacy issues with Windows 10. "Microsoft is always watching what you are doing so don't got to Windows 10". Well I am sorry to burst your bubble if this is the way you feel but everyone is doing the exact same thing. Your Internet provider tracks your movements. Google tracks everything you search for and where you go. Microsoft is no different than anyone else. It's just because it is Microsoft that causes people to make a fuss.
So if this is the case can anything be done so I can move to Windows 10 and not have to worry about my privacy? The answer is Yes. I will go through a few very simple steps that you can follow yourself to ensure that your operating system sending very little to nothing back to Microsoft on your computing habits.
Security and Privacy Lock down Step 1
I am assuming that you have already installed or purchased a computer with Windows 10. During the setup phase, one of the things Microsoft wants you to do is log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account. New flash, "You don't have to". When you get to that screen in the middle of the screen it will ask you create an account. Below this you will see Skip this step. Select that to move to the next screen and create a local username and password. Some Windows 10 systems may be a little different but at the end of the day you keep declining the create account till you are allowed to create a local account.
Security and Privacy Lock down Step 2
Once you are in Windows click your start button and select PC Settings. Once the box opens select System and then along the left column select Notifications & actions. Under the Notifications option on the right you will see all the settings on by default. Click each option to turn them all off. Once done click the back arrow at the top left of the screen.
Security and Privacy Lock down Step 3
Now back on the settings page click Privacy. Under the left column under Privacy click on each option and make sure that everything on the right side of the screen is turned off. If you have no option to turn something off, move to the next item in the column. When you reach Feedback & Diagnostics, change automatically to never and then in the next box select Basic. Once you have turned off all the features you are done. Close the box.
Security and Privacy Lock down Step 4
Now we need to download a small program that will help you even more with items behind the scenes. Click the following link to navigate to the download page. Spybot Anti-Beacon (Installer)
Once on the screen on the right you will see the current version Download 1.5.0.35 . Click that link and download the program. Once downloaded run the install and then run the program. Once the program is running select the Optional tab. Here click Apply to every option down the list. Then click the Protection tab and click the Immunize button at the bottom. Then click Close.
Final Thoughts
You are done. You are now protected from items being monitored and transferred to Microsoft without your knowledge. You should run through Steps 2-4 on a regular basis, especially after a large Windows update. Microsoft has a tendency to turn features back on again with updates. Doing this will help you protect your Privacy and allow you to enjoy Windows 10.
