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Guide to Enhancing Privacy on Windows 10
1. Managing Cortana, the Digital Assistant
Cortana proves to be a helpful virtual assistant, yet for better advisory, it seeks considerable personal data. You have options: either completely disable or selectively control the information Cortana collects.
To disable Cortana, simply left-click on the Cortana search box (beside the Windows icon at the bottom left corner of the screen). From the emerging menu, click on the Notebook icon (third from the top downwards) and select Permissions.
Here, you can toggle all sliders to Off, effectively ceasing Cortana's data collection about you.
However, your personal information still remains stored in the cloud. Thus, if you wish to eradicate it completely, right from the Cortana screen menu, select Settings, click on Manage what Cortana knows about me in the cloud, scroll to the bottom, and choose Clear to erase the personal data Cortana has stored in the cloud.
2. Substitute Microsoft Edge with another browser.
Edge comes integrated by Microsoft and set as the default browser in Windows 10. Microsoft Edge allures with its ability to annotate, doodle directly on webpages, and has been significantly enhanced with the Anniversary Update integrating Cortana, supporting Extensions. Nonetheless, Microsoft Edge still fails to captivate desktop users, holding merely 5% of the web browser market share, as per the latest figures from Net Applications up to the end of October.
Using Edge browser, you might feel uneasy with the excessive tracking. While competitors like Chrome or Firefox also track user's online activities, you can opt for 'do not track' mode. Microsoft's browser isn't as lenient.
3. Restrict OneDrive Sign-ins
Similar to Cortana, Microsoft's cloud storage service comes pre-integrated into Windows 10; you can't uninstall it even if you don't want to use it except by ignoring it and not signing in to the service.
If you've signed into OneDrive along with a Microsoft online service account (such as an email account with Outlook.com) and no longer wish to use the service, you can perform the following steps: right-click on the OneDrive icon in the notification area at the bottom right of the taskbar, then select Settings. A dialog appears, on the Account tab, click Unlink this PC. Then go to the Settings tab and uncheck the box next to Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.
Additionally, to ensure your files don't default to saving in the OneDrive folder, you can do the following: From the main screen, click on the Windows icon at the bottom left corner of the screen > select Settings >System >Storage. Then choose the default storage location for various file types like apps, documents, music, photos, and videos.
4. Limit Microsoft Account Sign-ins.
Similar to OnDrive, you should also limit using your Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10. However, you may not realize that Microsoft servers will also retain this personal information. Therefore, it's advisable not to sign in with a Microsoft account on Windows 10.
If you've already signed in, create a local account immediately to use for signing in instead of the Microsoft account. Here's how: Left-click on the Windows icon at the bottom left corner, select Settings >Accounts >Your info then click on Sign in with a local account instead. You'll be prompted to enter the password of the Microsoft account you used to sign in to Windows 10, then enter the new username and password you'll use to sign in to Windows 10 in the future.
5. Establishing Privacy within Settings App.
Within the Privacy group of the Settings app, you can choose to disable various features, apps, and services to enhance security through sections like: Location, Camera, Microphone, Notifications, Account Info...
6. Configuring the system to stop learning about you.
Under the Privacy group, navigate to Speech, inking & typing then click on the Stop getting to know me button. Everything you search for, actions on your computer like typing or using a digital pen, will all be recorded and analyzed by Microsoft for their purposes. So, it's advisable to turn off this feature.
7. Blocking Feedback and Diagnostics
Under the Privacy group, navigate to Feedback & diagnostics then select Never for Feedback frequency, and Basic for Diagnostic and usage data.
8. Disabling Background Apps.
Under the Privacy group, find Background apps, then turn off the listed background apps by toggling each component to Off. Many background apps not only consume system resources but also connect online, posing risks of leaking your personal information.
9. Limit Data Synchronization.
Syncing is a convenient concept when you work and use multiple Windows 10 devices. However, if you feel uneasy about the possibility of your information stored on Microsoft servers being misused, simply disable this feature in the Accounts group, under Sync your settings toggle the option button to Off under Sync settings. When this feature is activated (option button On), you can customize the synchronization mode for settings on Windows 10 with Microsoft servers as you wish.
10. Say No to Windows Spotlight
In Personalization under Lock screen, within the Background options, select Picture or Slideshow. The default Windows Spotlight feature allows Microsoft servers to send random images to your computer to display as lock screen wallpapers.
11. Avoid Sharing Updates
In Update & Security, under Windows Update, click on Advanced Options then select Choose how updates are delivered. Here, toggle the switch to Off right below Updates from more than one place. If this switch is On, it allows your computer to share update files with other machines over LAN or the internet as per the options below.
So, here are all the things that Mytour has compiled and introduced as well as guiding privacy settings on Windows 10. With these methods, you will no longer worry about feeling watched. What are you waiting for? If you are using or planning to use Windows 10, refer to and apply these tips to your device right away. Additionally, if you are preparing to upgrade to Windows 10, follow the article guiding Windows 10 installation updates and supplement the steps before, during, and after installation. Best of luck to you all!
