Windows 10 spies on you

[forummm]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/windows-10-microsofts-big-data-grabbing-spying-os-bernard-marr

Glad I didn't install this.

It sounds like you can turn off the data sharing, but only partially, and you have to know how to do it. They can even look at your files and emails and they can provide that info to third parties.

[tarheeldan]

http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229

What I really don't get though, is what's so scary about it? What are people afraid is going to happen to them? (Aside from ID theft, which is more a data security issue than a collection issue).

[FIRE me]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/windows-10-microsofts-big-data-grabbing-spying-os-bernard-marr

Glad I didn't install this.

It sounds like you can turn off the data sharing, but only partially, and you have to know how to do it. They can even look at your files and emails and they can provide that info to third parties.

I will stick with Debian, despite its craptastic adoption on systemd.

[FIRE me]

http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229

What I really don't get though, is what's so scary about it? What are people afraid is going to happen to them? (Aside from ID theft, which is more a data security issue than a collection issue).

That's like people who ask “why protect endangered animals?” If you don't already understand, there is really no explaining it to you.

[Spork]

http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229

What I really don't get though, is what's so scary about it? What are people afraid is going to happen to them? (Aside from ID theft, which is more a data security issue than a collection issue).

That's like people who ask “why protect endangered animals?” If you don't already understand, there is really no explaining it to you.

I prefer "If privacy isn't important, then why are you wearing pants" ... but... yeah.  Same concept.

Bottom line: It has been historically easier for government entities to siphon data out of large companies than to target single individuals.  Big nets catch more fish than spears.

[tarheeldan]

So the fear is the US government gets what data to do what with?

[Flynlow]

http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229

What I really don't get though, is what's so scary about it? What are people afraid is going to happen to them? (Aside from ID theft, which is more a data security issue than a collection issue).

Because "None of your business." used to be a perfectly legitimate response to people/companies/governments inquiring about things they have no legal right to, rather than an admission of guilt.

Some people just want to be left alone.  And that's OK.

[forummm]

I don't want anyone to be able to dig through my computer and learn about me and sell that info to someone else. Whether it's as a way to market to me or to steal from me or just as an invasion of privacy, I'm opposed to that practice. I don't tell people how much money I have. Why should Microsoft be allowed to know? Or their third-party partners?

[tarheeldan]

Thanks, I can see your guys' perspective a little better now.

[mrpercentage]

I don't want to get in to an operating system debate. With that said, I have always found Microsoft to be greedy. They have moved towards subscriptions for things like office (I think I might throw up). They have even tried some seriously ugly DRM moves with Xbox so you cant sell the disks of games you are done with. This had a huge backlash that caused many to dump Xbox One and go to Playstation4 so they had to back out of it. Dont forget the big brother camera they wanted pointed at your living room (xbox connect) that was required at release (no thank you).
-the bloatware of PC.
-that everyones hands are in it and that you have to pay to have the junk removed.
-their viruses.
-how they completely change everything so you are lost every five years.
-antivirus software.
-greedy people.
all things I dislike about the company.
How about $300 for a full install on windows. Seriously?
PC is doomed. Their sales show it. Its because they are greedy and treat their customers poorly because they think they have a monopoly.
Those are all the reasons why I dumped them. And millions of others will too.

[Sibley]

The reason the sales are down is because everyone's using tablets and smartphones instead of desktops and laptops.

Personally, I'm happy with Win 7 and have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

[Spork]

The reason the sales are down is because everyone's using tablets and smartphones instead of desktops and laptops.

Personally, I'm happy with Win 7 and have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

Caveat: I am NOT a windows guy.  I am a Linux guy.  That said: you get the upgrade for free, but only for the first year.  That's just something to keep in the back of your mind.  Eventually support will end for Win7 and this is a way to stretch it.  (Windows 8 seems to have been a flop, so it will probably go away pretty quickly.)1444444444444444  <- The cat typed that last part.  She seemed to think it was pretty important, so I'm leaving it there.

[Sibley]

The reason the sales are down is because everyone's using tablets and smartphones instead of desktops and laptops.

Personally, I'm happy with Win 7 and have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

Caveat: I am NOT a windows guy.  I am a Linux guy.  That said: you get the upgrade for free, but only for the first year.  That's just something to keep in the back of your mind.  Eventually support will end for Win7 and this is a way to stretch it.  (Windows 8 seems to have been a flop, so it will probably go away pretty quickly.)1444444444444444  <- The cat typed that last part.  She seemed to think it was pretty important, so I'm leaving it there.

Good cat owner you!

Yeah, the support will end eventually, but it hasn't yet. Realistically, they can't end it until they've convinced the business world to upgrade en mass. Since my office just upgraded to Win 7 last year, and is upgrading from IE8 this year, it'll take a while for that to happen. The laptop will probably croak on me before that happens.

[Spork]

The reason the sales are down is because everyone's using tablets and smartphones instead of desktops and laptops.

Personally, I'm happy with Win 7 and have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

Caveat: I am NOT a windows guy.  I am a Linux guy.  That said: you get the upgrade for free, but only for the first year.  That's just something to keep in the back of your mind.  Eventually support will end for Win7 and this is a way to stretch it.  (Windows 8 seems to have been a flop, so it will probably go away pretty quickly.)1444444444444444  <- The cat typed that last part.  She seemed to think it was pretty important, so I'm leaving it there.

Good cat owner you!

Yeah, the support will end eventually, but it hasn't yet. Realistically, they can't end it until they've convinced the business world to upgrade en mass. Since my office just upgraded to Win 7 last year, and is upgrading from IE8 this year, it'll take a while for that to happen. The laptop will probably croak on me before that happens.

Seems a reasonable plan to me (but again: not a Windows expert).  Free upgrades end at the end of July 2016.  Just keep that in the back of your mind if you want a freebie.  (That could be bumped out if they didn't get a good foot hold on the market... that's just what they're saying now.)

[Sjalabais]

The spying of Windows 10 can be shut off and should be shut off. My main issue with it is that these options are hidden behind "nah, you don't want to go to these ridiculously advanced settings"-language, when, in fact, they explain properly what they are doing. Even if the "why" is often lacking - and some options have to be removed in the registry etc. The only thing I haven't managed to remove yet is the "Microsoft Edge Cache Database", a browser database of sorts, that runs at all times.

What really fascinates me though is how nice this OS looks and how troublefree the transition from 7 to 10 on an old laptop we had lying around was. Very smooth. That lazy old PC is actually quite fast again. And every single bit of software installed on it works just as before.

[Travis]

I wouldn't be too concerned with Windows 7 support disappearing in the immediate future.  Support for XP only went away a year or so ago. For those concerned about privacy and getting the most out of Windows 10, check these out:

http://windows.wonderhowto.com/inspiration/everything-you-need-disable-windows-10-0163552/

http://windows.wonderhowto.com/how-to/45-tips-tricks-you-need-know-master-windows-10-0163455/

[Spork]

I wouldn't be too concerned with Windows 7 support disappearing in the immediate future.  Support for XP only went away a year or so ago. For those concerned about privacy and getting the most out of Windows 10, check these out:

http://windows.wonderhowto.com/inspiration/everything-you-need-disable-windows-10-0163552/

http://windows.wonderhowto.com/how-to/45-tips-tricks-you-need-know-master-windows-10-0163455/

End of life actually a known:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=windows%207

It's not "upgrade now because windows 7 is going away soon".  It's "upgrade within the year to extend the life of the product." 

[Dicey]

It's not "upgrade now because windows 7 is going away soon".  It's "upgrade within the year to extend the life of the product."

Pretty sure that's what your cat said.

[Spork]

It's not "upgrade now because windows 7 is going away soon".  It's "upgrade within the year to extend the life of the product."

Pretty sure that's what your cat said.

She became soooo tech savvy after lolcats appeared on the web.