Windows 10: Privacy: Windows 10 vs Local Files

We switched from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 at work a couple years ago. I was really put off by the descriptions of how much data MS was now taking from us, and their all-around lack of privacy.

Enough so that some reporters referred to Windows 10 itself as malware. For leaking so much of your information.

But that was work, so I didn't care too much.

Now I'm upgrading my home PC. I'm coming from Win7 Pro, which I've never felt for a moment was unsafe or un-private.

My question is: is Microsoft uploading my local files to their server, scouring them, or reading their contents in any way? Are any of my files actually "private" anymore? Or does MS know every thought, and every log-in, as I type it?

I would be using Win 10 without MS account, but still don't trust (based on their own EULA, and all the press), that they're not seeing my SSN, full name, address, income, etc from my personal financial statements, for example.

Or not uploading my private intellectual property ideas written in a Word document, for example.

Simply put, I don't really feel a great trust towards MS anymore. Is there any proof that they do or do not access my local files? I'm not using OneDrive or putting anything on the cloud. But I still feel like they're reaching into my computer to see what's there. Which I don't really like.

I'd like to be happy using Win10, but this is something that really puts me off.

Thanks for any insights!

:)

 

Problem with access to remote Samba share from Windows 10 machine

I don't think it's related to Home vs Pro or Entreprise edition but rather the type of account.

I have the issue only if I use a MS account to access Windows 10 (*** Email address is removed for privacy ***). With a local account on the same computer the issue is not present.

 

PC startup password changed automatically.

Hi,

1.You can remove your Hotmail account to the computer login by following the instructions from this link

How to Revert Your Windows 10 Account to a Local One (After the Windows Store Hijacks It)

That's also what I did to remove my outlook account in the computer login.

2. You can also create another user account on the computer. So those people will not login to your user account for your privacy.

3. Here's the link to know what's the benefits of associating your Hotmail account to your pc

https://www.howtogeek.com/121975/htg-explains-microsoft-accounts-vs.-local-accounts-in-windows-8/

4. Here's the link how to create a new user account in computer
https://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-a-new-local-user-account-in-windows-10/

Hope this helps

 

Their Privacy Statement is here: Datenschutzerklärung von Microsoft – Microsoft-Datenschutz

Much of the data collected is optional, you can turn most off to send little more than crash reports (which MS use to improve windows).

See this tutorial (which applies if you have an MS account) and all the tutorials in the 'related tutorials' section at the end (which apply to local accounts as well as MS accounts).

Use Microsoft Privacy Dashboard to Manage Your Privacy in Windows 10

 

10 actually logs everything you type and say, in order to improve user's experience, they say. *really

Any of your files can be uploaded simply by Windows Defender or by smartscreen or any AV. That is how Kaspersky got banned in US, because its AV uploaded malicious files made by NSA.

Lets not kid ourself, this is "the future". Windows, any AV, some browsers and even your ISP gather and share your personal information. Like Google is able to see your credit card history, even if you do not have Google account.

Google Following Your Offline Credit Card Spending To Tell Advertisers If Their Ads Work – Consumerist

Quite the opposite, MS helped to arrest several people, after it reported their illegal files to the police, but it was mostly related to their files on onedrive account (not public), but that gives you an idea, what MS is doing. MS is obliged to report any illegal activity, privacy rules do not apply, not is US.


You can limit files sent by Windows Defender or disable cloud/smartscreen.

Enable Windows Defender Block at First Sight in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials


You can use apps to setup privacy, but note, they might break some functionality, even Windows updates.

Comparison of Windows 10 Privacy tools - gHacks Tech News

 

The windows 10 model is a cloud based OS, on the other side there are OS alternatives perfectly suitable also for home use like Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Debian.

HTH.