Looking for opinions on Microsoft Telemetry

Lou · May 5, 2022

I found this article regarding how to "Disable the Telemetry on Windows 11 and Stop Microsoft From Logging Your Data"
RE: Disable the Telemetry on Windows 11 and Stop Microsoft From Logging Your Data
Here's my question-
Is this something I need to concern myself with....Is there any advantage or disadvantage in doing this.
I can't seem to locate any data or information that intelligently discusses this topic-
IE-- the conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork on this one..
Looking for informed opinions and comments
TIA- LOU

DigitalGoat · May 5, 2022

This is a rather lengthy read but provides a lot of detailed information:
Required Windows 11 diagnostic events and fields - Windows Privacy
When you ask the internet for opinions you will always get the tinfoil hat brigade offering numerous ones.
Even if you find articles written by supposedly respected publications, how can you be sure it is unbiased, technical information without the writers personal opinion coming through?
Read the above linked docs from MS and make your own informed opinion (do YOU believe MS are revealing all?), if you decide to block some or all telemetry beyond that which MS caters for, or you are willing to provide them, then you will need to delve deeper down the rabbit hole. :)

Dch48 · May 5, 2022

I think the subject gets overblown. None of it is malicious. Most of the data collected is for the purpose of improving the Windows experience for everyone but yes some is for advertising and generation of revenue. I keep my settings on the minimum and realize that everybody does it. Google is built on it and Apple does it too. You may get small improvements in performance by disabling some of it but not much. I don't really worry about it much at all.

Hollywood · May 5, 2022

I did the batch file in this article to block telemetry ports and it did not have any adverse effects. I still get Windows updates and my firewall still alerts me of other Windows process' trying to access the internet. I don't think it's entirely possible to be private while connected to the internet, but I want to limit my exposure as much as possible. Windows defaults to "cloud" submission for Defender. Do they log all of the files you view or run? Who has access to these logs? Just the advertisements on a lot of web pages are questionable. Some of what goes through our computers we have no control over If I could limit sending any of my activity, I will do so.

How to Prevent Windows 10 from Spying with Only Firewall

How to Prevent Windows 10 from Spying with Only Firewall with the aid of obstructing the outgoing data through telemetry which sneaks your activities.

www.howto-connect.com

Mystere · May 5, 2022

If you're in the Windows Insider program, you must keep diagnostic telemetry enabled to receive Insider updates.

If you're using released versions, then you can disable much of it.

There are a few pieces of telemetry i disable, including the advertising, pen, and keystroke, app launches, etc.. basically everything except diagnostic data.

I don't delete it because i think MS is doing anything nefarious with it, but just because i prefer not to have data that isn't necessary out there.

Yes, MS probably sells anonymized data, and provides advertising id's that can track you, but i don't really consider advertising "nefarious".

TairikuOkami · May 5, 2022

Lou said:
IE-- the conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork on this one..

By default Windows monitors everything you say or type, but for your own good of course (no pun intended) similar to Google services, like autocorrect, suggestions and such, but you can disable it, MS does not hide it and links in privacy settings describe, what it does.

Lou said:
Is this something I need to concern myself with....Is there any advantage or disadvantage in doing this.

By disabling it, you might gain some privacy, but at the cost of breaking some features. I use MSA, onedrive, but I have disabled telemetry and smartscreen in Windows, I do not want MS snooping around, besides my setup is unique, reporting false problems.

Lou · May 5, 2022

Thanks ALL for the informative feedback and comments.
I think I need to put my tinfoil hat away....

FrancoDT · May 5, 2022

Mystere said:
If you're in the Windows Insider program, you must keep diagnostic telemetry enabled to receive Insider updates.

Yup, gotta keep the optional diagnostic data set to on for the insider updates. I turn off all the ad stuff though.

KWEB · May 5, 2022

O&O Software has a program "Shut Up 10" which also works with 11. It has been out for years and proven to be very good. IT IS FREE
Try it as it does work without any problems. I still use it on my remaining Win 10 machine and my 3 Win 11 machines.