[Talisker]

These type of “agreements” need to be made illegal.

[Dr. Sivana]

Most of the issues stem from using Microsoft’s services (e.g. Cloud). You don’t have to get an account (I have not). Most of the other things can be turned off.

That said, if you don’t like the direction its going, you can try to work towards a migration to MacOS, Linux or Unix. I still with Windows OS for now because of a heavy investment in good software (Adobe Creative Suite 4, FileMaker Pro, WordPerfect, Fujitsu Scan software, etc.).

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Good Lord!

[VanDeKoik]

*sigh*

Turn off the data sharing options when you install.

You can even turn them off any time after.

10 seconds of a search would give anyone this information.

[ShadowAce]

ping

[867V309]

And some people thought ME, Vista and 8.0 were disasters...

[usconservative]

For those of you who've upgraded to Windows 10, and are concerned about data leakage or metrics and other data being collected about you and your computer without your express consent, here is the list of Services you'll want to disable in Windows 10.

Disabling some of these services will make features such as Cortana not work properly or give you less than desirable results in Web Searches as just two examples.

As always, YMMV so if you do disable all the services on this list, please keep the list handy so you'll know what you've disabled should you need to re-enable a service for an application to perform acceptably.

And now, the list:

Disable Telemetry
Disable Biometrics
Disable Handwriting Data Sharing
Disable Handwriting Error Reporting
Disable Application Telemetry
Disable Inventory Collector
Disable Steps Recorder
Disable enabling Lock Screen Camera
Disable and Reset Cortana
Disable Location
Disable Sensors
Disable Web Search
Disable Windows Media DRM Internet Access
Defer Windows Upgrades
Disable App Notifications
Disable Password Reveal Button
Disable and Reset Advertising ID
Disable SmartScreen Filter for URLs
Disable Sending Writing Info
Disable Access to Language List
Disable App Access to Location Info
Disable App Access to Camera
Disable App Access to Microphone
Disable Getting to know me
Disable App Access to Account Info
Disable App Access to Calendar
Disable App Access to Messages
Disable App Access to Radios
Disable Sync With Devices
Disable Windows Feedback Requestes
Disable Windows Update Sharing
Disable Windows Update for other Products
Disable WiFi Sense
Disable Windows Defender
Disable Automatic Windows Updates
Disable OneDrive
Disable Automatic Driver Update

Note: I do *NOT* provide support for enabling/disabling the services above. If you're not familiar with enabling/disabling services or troubleshooting applications that misbehave you're on your own.

[Chauncey Uppercrust]

I accepted the download couple days ago, few issues, my files are a bit tricky to find, they seem to be there but just not easy to find, a little slower starting up

as for the spying, I guess I will just keep an eye/ear open.

Can restore Windows 7 at any point, just figured I would get it in case at some point it`s not free. whatever

[CodeJockey]

Anyone “spying” on my browsing history would need to be put on suicide watch. Boring would be an understatement.

[Roses0508]

BUMP

[onyx]

Thank you so much for this posting.

I have NO intention of downloading the “FREE Windows10” even though I am constantly bothered by Microsoft’s pop-up on my computer, at least 5 times per day.

[mrsmith]

Downloading it now. I want to stay on the good side of the NSA...

[Cyman]

I am working on Win 10 right now and I can see someone staring at me this very minute....oh, never mind just my reflection.

[sparklite2]

“In the interest of fairness, the writer of this article has been a Linux user for several years and does not use any Microsoft products or services.”

Doncha love it?

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[Jack Hydrazine]

The "Windows 10 Is Spyware" title is incomplete.

It should say...

"Windows 10 Is Spyware for Microsoft and American Intel Agencies"

It gives a whole new meaning to

[DiogenesLamp]

Windows 10 Is Spyware

So is Google, and increasingly anything people are producing nowadays.

[Up Yours Marxists]

The writer is being deceitful. The license agreement looks to me to be about 6 pages:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

It’s the privacy policy users should look at, one that spans a plethora of online services:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/windows-10-how-get-around-microsofts-privacy-policy-1513874

And obviously this would be the case for other providers. I’m sure Apple and Google both have their little “tidbits” for privacy of online services, too.

[Still Thinking]

There are some parts of the terms that users need to be aware of, though, because agreeing to them grants Microsoft the right to .. share anything stored on or accessed using .. any computer using Microsoft products or services.

How could such an agreement be enforced, given that much of the information you access is not your property, and thus you have no legal ability to grant them right to it?