• Re: Privacy Tutorial: Disable all known Windows telemetry, ads, tips &

    From Marion@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 6 06:23:09 2025
    Marion wrote:
    These go beyond baseline service disables (#1) & registry policies (#3). These are a hybrid which combines service shutdowns such as
    (MapsBroker, SysMain, etc.), Group Policy edits (telemetry level,
    pre-release features), and registry rules (SIUF, CEIP, AIT).


    UPDATE

    I invested a few hours today finding more ways to modify Windows
    to be more private, where I show the copy-&-paste steps below.

    Optional Cloud & App Integration Restrictions
    Objective: Reduce MSA, cloud sync, app store, & browser data sharing
    Items:
    Account & Cloud Integration
    (local account, sync settings, OneDrive auto-start)
    Edge / Browser Telemetry
    (search suggestions, personalized ads, preloading)
    Windows Store / Apps
    (auto app updates, Start menu suggestions, bundled apps)
    Notifications & Advertising
    (tips, tricks, suggestions, ad ID double-check)
    Network & Connectivity
    (Hotspot 2.0, open Wi-Fi, SmartScreen review)
    Miscellaneous Services
    (Fax, Print Spooler, Remote Assistance, Bluetooth if unused)

    Local vs Microsoft Account:
    Since I have only a local account, there's nothing to do here.
    But others may be on a Microsoft Account (MSA).
    You can switch to a local account under:
    Win+I > Settings > Accounts > Your info >
    Sign in with a local account instead

    Sync settings:
    Even with a Microsoft Account, you can turn off sync under:
    Win+I > Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings
    OneDrive:
    Disable OneDrive auto start:
    Press {Ctrl+Shift+Esc} to open Task Manager
    Go to the Startup tab
    Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list
    Right click and choose Disable

    Or unlink the PC in OneDrive settings:
    Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray
    Select Help and Settings > Settings
    Go to the Account tab
    Click Unlink this PC

    Edge and Browser Telemetry
    Objective: Reduce browser data collection and background activity
    Items:
    Turn off search and site suggestions
    Disable tracking and ad personalization
    Disable background preloading of pages

    Search and site suggestions:
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/search
    Turn off "Show me search and site suggestions using my typed characters"
    (if present)
    Set "Search on new tabs" from "Search Box" to "Address bar"

    Tracking prevention:
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/privacy
    Set Tracking prevention to "Strict" (or Balanced if needed)

    Optional form and payment autofill:
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/payments
    Turn off "Save and fill payment info" if not needed
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/addresses
    Turn off "Save and fill addresses" if not needed
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/passwords
    Turn off "Offer to save passwords" if not needed

    Background preloading:
    Runbox > msedge > edge://settings/system
    Turn off "Startup boost"
    Turn off "Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed"
    Turn off "Preload the new tab page" (if present)

    Windows Store and Apps
    Objective: Limit automatic app installs, updates, and suggested content
    Items:
    Disable automatic app updates
    Turn off Start menu suggestions
    Remove or disable bundled apps you do not use

    Disable automatic app updates:
    Win+I > Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update > Advanced
    options
    Turn off "Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows"
    (This reduces Store app auto updates tied to Windows Update)

    Turn off Start menu suggestions:
    Win+I > Settings > Personalization > Start
    Turn off "Show suggestions occasionally in Start"

    Remove or disable bundled apps:
    Runbox > powershell > right click > Run as administrator
    Use command: Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage
    (Replace *appname* with the package name, e.g. xboxapp, skypeapp, etc.)
    Or uninstall directly from Start menu > right click app > Uninstall

    Notifications and Advertising
    Objective: Reduce Windows tips, suggestions, and advertising ID
    tracking
    Items:
    Turn off Windows tips, tricks, and suggestions
    Disable Start and lock screen suggestions
    Double check advertising ID setting

    Turn off Windows tips, tricks, and suggestions:
    Win+I > Settings > System > Notifications and actions
    Turn off "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows"

    Disable Start and lock screen suggestions:
    Win+I > Settings > Personalization > Start
    Turn off "Show suggestions occasionally in Start"
    Win+I > Settings > Personalization > Lock screen
    Turn off "Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen"

    Advertising ID:
    Win+I > Settings > Privacy > General
    Turn off "Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to
    you"

    Network and Connectivity
    Objective: Reduce automatic network connections and review SmartScreen
    Items:
    Disable Hotspot 2.0 networks
    Disable automatic connection to open Wi-Fi
    Review SmartScreen settings

    Disable Hotspot 2.0 networks:
    Win+I > Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks
    Look for "Hotspot 2.0 networks" and turn it Off (if present)

    Disable automatic connection to open Wi-Fi:
    Win+I > Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi
    Turn off "Connect to suggested open hotspots"
    Turn off "Connect to networks shared by my contacts" (if present)

    Review SmartScreen settings:
    Win+I > Settings > Update and Security > Windows Security > App and
    browser control
    Under "Check apps and files" and "SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge"
    Choose your preferred level (Warn or Off if you want less Microsoft data collection)

    Miscellaneous Services
    Objective: Disable background or legacy services not needed on most systems
    Items:
    Fax service
    Print Spooler (if you never print)
    Remote Assistance
    Bluetooth (if unused)

    Fax service:
    Runbox > services.msc
    Find "Fax"
    Right click > Properties > Startup type: Disabled
    Click Stop if running

    Print Spooler:
    Runbox > services.msc
    Find "Print Spooler"
    Right click > Properties > Startup type: Disabled
    Click Stop if running
    (Only do this if you never print or use PDF printers)

    Remote Assistance:
    Win+I > Settings > System > Remote Desktop
    Turn off "Enable Remote Assistance connections to this computer"

    Bluetooth (if unused):
    Win+I > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices
    Turn off Bluetooth
    Runbox > services.msc > Find "Bluetooth Support Service"
    Right click > Properties > Startup type: Disabled

    --- PyGate Linux v1.0
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)