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If you have been refusing Microsoft's offer to upgrade your Windows 7 or 8* operating system to Windows 10 due to the oft-reported data and telemetry slurping it seems inclined to do, then it is time to be on your toes as to which updates you allow to be installed on your earlier version of the operating system.
El Reg reports that Microsoft are busy pushing similar functionality to those older operating systems by way of Windows Update. The updates in question can apparently be rolled back if required.
They are however very determined in their function if allowed to be installed, going so far as to ignore such venerable solutions as additions to the HOSTS file, which has historically been a way to knobble phone-home behaviour:
Now Microsoft is revamping the user-tracking tools in Windows 7 and 8 to harvest more data, via some new patches.
All the updates can be removed post-installation – but all ensure the OS reports data to Microsoft even when asked not to, bypassing the hosts file and (hence) third-party privacy tools. This data can include how long you use apps, and which features you use the most, snapshots of memory to investigate crashes, and so on.
The updates are KB3068708 ("Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry" and mandatory) KB3075249 ("Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7") and KB3080149 (also an "Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry", both optional).
(Score: 2) by Anal Pumpernickel on Wednesday September 02 2015, @02:50PM
How is Microsoft getting away with this? Why isn't every Windows user up in arms, trying to sue them and/or switching away?
I even see some complete dumbasses trying to downplay this and convince others that it really isn't too bad. Not all of them are shills, either.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2015, @06:18PM
Yes, my brother and his "I don't care I have nothing to hide." I know we are adults now but God I should just beat him like he is 9 still :/
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2015, @07:00PM
The downplay goes like this:
A) You'd have to be really stupid to let Microsoft do this to you as a customer.
B) I'm not stupid!
C) Therefore, it's really not too bad.
D) Hey, look, all those other people are also not actively trying to replace Microsoft! I was right.