straightUp Loc: California

So. I've been running Windows 10 on my Samsung laptop since the day Microsoft released it's latest OS. Never even heard of Cortana before. My son explains the name comes from a fictional character in some XBOX game. What I found was pretty much the same thing as Google Now and Siri, which of course Apple-fans still think is the only voice-based assistant in existence.

But what I am starting to understand now is the extent to which Microsoft uses Cortana to spy on you.

I'm comfortable with these assistants knowing my global position in order to give me decent directions to places, temperature readings etc, but Cortana has access to more than just GPS, a search engine and your microphone. Cortana has access to your e-mail, your webcam, your notes and instant messages, a running log of the websites you go to and the edits you make on your Word documents.

I know Apple and Google do the same thing and I don't think any of these companies have any evil intentions per se, but the commercial world is a shark tank for personal information. Once Cortana pulls the information from your privacy, it becomes a commodity on the open market for anyone to take advantage, including the NSA or any other agency in any other country. Microsoft does give us a way to periodically clear the data, but there is no way to actually turn the monitoring off, unless you actually disable Cortana.

I was curious if this was anything that concerns anyone here. I also wanted to advise that if you are installing Windows 10, read the EULA agreement because Microsoft discloses all of this in the agreement, which few people actually read before checking the box. Personally, I don't have a problem with using my keyboard to run searches.

I also wanted to point out as we continue to sail into this new world of disappearing privacy it may be a good idea to keep in mind that the government doesn't have a monopoly on spying. While we might be furious about the NSA, it's our own consumer products that we willingly expose ourselves to that presents the real ticket to Big Brother.

jimahrens Loc: California

If invasion of privacy does not concern anyone There brain housing group has permanently shut down.

Pulfnick Loc: Knoxville, TN

I signed up for Windows 10 when it was first announced but after finding out what it actually does, I found out how to back out of it and did so. I wouldn't want Windows 10 under any conditions. If you want to get rid of Windows 10 even after it has been installed on your computer, search around Windows Upgrade or something like that. You'll find a forum like place where there are instructions on getting rid of it.

straightUp Loc: California

I develop software for a living so I try to keep updated. I also have a Windows 7 machine and a few Linux boxes around and I can keep my personal business on those machines, but the lure of Windows 10 for personal business is pretty strong. :(


To get rid of Windows 10 I would just format the drive and install a new OS. What did you revert to?

I think I'm okay with Windows 10, having turned off about 30 different information sharing options. I ran a sniffer on my network to check traffic coming from the machine or going to Microsoft and it's pretty minimal at this point. I also have an external firewall to block outbound traffic that I don't personally approve of. But for the average consumer... none of that is practical.

Pulfnick Loc: Knoxville, TN

I stopped automatic updating before it could download. Then I found out the update files involved, looked for pending updates, and deleted these two files KB3035583 and KB2976978. That was pretty easy, even for me, a casual user.

straightUp Loc: California

Those files are named after the knowledge base issues they're supposed to patch. If you're deleting those, I would say you're a little more than casual. When I say "average consumer" I am referring to most consumers that know so little about computers that they would be better off with Apple products. ;)

straightUp Loc: California

So... judging by the response, I am going to assume that software companies spying on their customers isn't a big deal for most people here. I suppose it misses all the buzz words. I'm sure it would be a much bigger deal if Microsoft was a *government* program.

:roll:

pappadeux Loc: Phoenix AZ

So how does your 'new' W/10 work ? I ask this because about eight months ago I purchased a new computer which came with W/8 of which in my opinion " sucks' I then purchased a W/7 at Fry's Electronics Now I am afraid to install it as it would require me to make a lot of other changes. Please advise me and fellow readers of your experiences regarding your new 'Windows 10' Thanx....