Member Avatar for Member #1162018

I think MS is getting a bit shifty in how it coerces you to have an MS account.

It's finding more and more ways to get you on the inside. One example of many...Diagnostics collected about your device and how you use it.

By default,this diagnostics collecting is turned on. When you discover this, information has already been collected about you.

You opt to turn off this collecting. MS tells you that you can view the collected data by turning on the Diagnostics Data Viewer. When you click on this option, you are told you will need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link. (and of course, you will need an MS account to get that link).

Surely, having an MS account is not such a bad thing, but the methods MS uses to get your membership, in my opinion, is.

I was not required to have an MS account in order for MS to collect this data. Why should I be required to have an account to see that collected data?

This tactic reminds me of the MyLife scheme where it collects data on you and assigns you a reputation score. Then, you are asked to pay to have that low score changed to a higher score.

I will have little faith in MS as long as it relies on the assumed ignorance (and in many cases, complacency) of its customers to achieve many of its goals.

MS:
"Optional diagnostic data also includes information about the websites you browse",

Required diagnostic data. "This data is transmitted to Microsoft and stored with one or more unique identifiers that can help us recognize an individual user on an individual device"..

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rproffitt

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A clear, practical summary and next steps for (and a follow-up to ’s suggestion).

Microsoft categorizes Windows telemetry as Required (minimum) and Optional (more detailed), and supplies a Diagnostic Data Viewer to inspect what Windows records. That viewer is distributed via the Microsoft Store (so some setups prompt a store sign‑in), but Microsoft also provides a PowerShell module alternative that doesn’t require a Microsoft account — it does require administrative rights. (learn.microsoft.com)

If staying on Windows is preferred, reduce exposure without reinstalling: set Diagnostics to the most restrictive user-available level (Settings → Privacy/Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback), turn off any “optional” telemetry, and use the Delete diagnostic data control to clear device-stored data. Organizations or Pro/Enterprise users can enforce levels with Group Policy or MDM (the AllowTelemetry policy and related controls); note that the only way to entirely turn diagnostics off is via Enterprise/Server/Education editions. Changes can affect update/diagnostics behavior, so review trade-offs before forcing settings. (learn.microsoft.com)

To view what was actually captured without using the Store app, the PowerShell module is the supported path. From an elevated prompt you can install and run it, enable viewing while you inspect data, then disable it when finished:

Install-Module -Name Microsoft.DiagnosticDataViewer
Enable-DiagnosticDataViewing
Get-DiagnosticData

After viewing, use the Settings Delete option (or Clear‑WindowsDiagnosticData in admin scenarios) to remove device-held diagnostic history. (learn.microsoft.com)

For faster, GUI-driven toggles some people use reputable privacy tools (for example O&O ShutUp10++), but those tools change many settings at once — which can break features or updates — and Microsoft warns against blocking certain diagnostic endpoints because they’re used for configuration and updates. If complete avoidance of Microsoft telemetry is the goal, switching to a non‑Windows OS (as suggested) is the only way to eliminate it entirely, with the usual tradeoffs in compatibility and driver support. (oo-software.com)

Member Avatar for rproffitt

Since you don't have to use that OS, why not start using something else?

For example, many just need email (ThunderBird), an office suite (LibreOffice) and Chrome.

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