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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: 5, Insightful) by PinkyGigglebrain on Wednesday September 02 2015, @02:58PM
I think the main issue here is more that you have to take action to STOP data from being sent to MS than the data being sent in the first place.
If it was an opt-in with the default being to NOT send data, and have the OS really abide by that setting, no one would have an issue with it and we would all be talking about what we think of the Win 10 start menu instead,.
Also at issue is the "whack a mole" aspect of this whole thing. Hide an update so its not installed and a new update does the same thing again later or changes your settings back to "telemetry services enabled".
So while it might be a non issue for you because you know how to disable the right services the other 90+% of Windows users have no idea how to do anything with regard to hiding updates, control panel settings, firewall rules and entries in the hosts file (which apparently gets ignored anyway by some Win services).
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2015, @03:08PM
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Thursday September 03 2015, @02:54AM
What *is* Microsoft doing in those countries?