Do you want to control what user data Windows 10 collects? Then you should make a few important settings. Here are 5 tips on how to protect your privacy.
Windows 10 collects a lot of data in the default configuration. However, users can make numerous settings to prevent this.
In fact, Windows 10 offers more security options than any other Windows version before - so many that most users do not even know all of them. Permissions can be adjusted for a wide variety of areas, such as the camera, voice recognition, notifications, diagnostics, contacts, account information and much more.
On the one hand, this is good, but on the other hand, it is also confusing. With so many options, it is hard to find the privacy settings that are really important.
The following five tips will help here:
- 1. Check what data Microsoft collects. By default, Windows 10 collects specific diagnostic data from your PC and sends it to Microsoft. In the Start menu - Settings - Privacy - Diagnostics and Feedback, you can view and adjust the configuration. However, keep in mind that Microsoft uses this data to keep your PC up to date and help you troubleshoot problems.
- 2. Opt out of a customized user experience. Also under Diagnostics and Feedback, uncheck the option that allows Microsoft to use your diagnostic data to provide you with a more customized user experience with relevant tips and recommendations. Set the Customized user experience to Off.
- 3. Stay anonymous. Under Settings - Privacy - Account information, uncheck Allow apps to access your account information, preventing access to your name, picture, and other account info.
- 4. Prevent ad tracking. In the General tab, uncheck the option to allow apps to use the advertising ID to show you ads of interest to you based on your app usage.
- 5. Use anti-tracking software. Leave it to the professionals to hide your online presence and keep advertisers at bay. With anti-tracking software, you can control most of Microsoft's privacy settings conveniently and easily.
Even if the privacy settings of Windows 10 may be confusing at first: It is worth taking a closer look at them. Because even in digital life, we should exhaust our options to protect ourselves.