Windows 10 is amazing. Windows 10 is fantastic. Windows 10 is glorious. Windows 10 is faster, smoother and more user-friendly than any Windows operating system that has come before it. Windows 10 is everything Windows 8 should have been, addressing nearly all of the major problems users had with Microsoft’s previous-generation platform in one fell swoop.
But there’s something you should know: As you read this article from your newly upgraded PC, Windows 10 is also spying on nearly everything you do.
Here’s what Microsoft has to say in Windows 10’s privacy statement:
Finally, we will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to: 1.comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal process, including from law enforcement or other government agencies; 2.protect our customers, for example to prevent spam or attempts to defraud users of the services, or to help prevent the loss of life or serious injury of anyone; 3.operate and maintain the security of our services, including to prevent or stop an attack on our computer systems or networks; or 4.protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the use 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 customer’s private content ourselves, but we may refer the matter to law enforcement.
Some of that will be cause for concern for many, and if you find yourself wishing all of that would go away, then you’re going to want to check out DoNotSpy10, a free download that will allow you to disable a whole slew of Windows 10’s more controversial tracking features – including the tracking of your web searches.
DoNotSpy10 is the world’s first antispy tool for Windows 10. Its straight-forward user interface allows you to manage how Windows 10 respects their privacy. Microsoft introduces many new “diagnostic” features with Windows 10. These services help Microsoft collect usage data and thus to provide a better service. However, collecting and sharing your data with one of the world’s leading technology companies puts your privacy at risk. There are services which are able to record your keyboard input, your speech and any other actions of the user. Others share your WiFi credentials with your contact or connect you to networks shared by your contacts.
DoNotSpy10 provides you with the opportunity to easily manage what you want to share and what not. While many of the settings represent what you can configure using the Settings and various other apps, there are also tweaks that are not easily accessible through the apps Windows provides. DoNotSpy10 combines them all in one application – it’s time to protect your privacy, let’s start!
The list of things DoNotSpy10 secures is quite comprehensive:
- Disable Telemetry
- Disable Biometrics
- Disable handwriting data disclosure
- Disable handwriting Error Reporting
- Disable Application Telemetry
- Disable Inventory Collector
- Disable Steps Recorder
- Disable lock screen camera settings
- Deactivate and reset Cortana
- Disable localization
- Disable sensors
- Disable Web search
- Disable Windows Media DRM Internet access
- Activate postponing upgrades
- Disable app notifications
- Disable Password button ads
- Stopping and resetting the advertising ID
- Disable SmartScreen filter for URLs
- Disable sending write information
- Disable access to language list
- Disable app access to localization
- Disable app access to camera
- Disable app access to microphone
- Disable acquaintance
- Disable app access to user accounts info
- Disable app access to calendar
- Disable app access to messages
- Disable app access to wireless connections
- Disable app access to Uncoupled devices
- Disable prompts Feedback
- Disabling Windows Update distribution
- Disable Windows Update for other products
- Disable WiFi Sense
- Disable Windows Defender
- Disable automatic Windows Updates
- Deactivate OneDrive
- Disable Automatic Driver Updates
If all this sounds like data you don’t want to be shared, then installing DoNotSpy10 is a no – brainer, especially thanks to the fact that it’s absolutely free.
If you’re not concerned about the information that Microsoft is keeping tabs on then you’re good to go – carry on, there’s nothing to see here – but if the Windows 10 privacy statement raises any flags for you, now might be a good time to take action before it’s too late.
(Download: DoNotSpy10, Current Version: 1.1.0.0)
Limitations:
This program is advertising supported and may offer to install third party programs that are not required for the program to run. These may include a toolbar, changing your homepage, default search engine or other third party programs. Please watch the installation carefully to opt out.
It appears to be detected as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) / Potentially Unsafe Application (PUA) most likely because it includes OpenCandy.
OpenCandy is an advertising application distributed by the OpenCandy Software Network which displays ads in other programs. The use of advertisement is a way to promote software packages and recover development costs. The OpenCandy FAQs answers many questions users may have about this product. OpenCandy is technically not installed on a computer, does not collect personally identifiable information and in most cases allows the user to choose whether or not to install advertised software recommended by the vendor. Although no personal information is collected.
Svanews 
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