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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, Interesting) by boltronics on Thursday September 03 2015, @03:13AM
"Massive" is what I said, and exactly what I meant - except for Person C, the gamer. I know three people who I can say for certain run Windows:
Person A:
Microsoft can do no wrong! If they're doing something bad, it's because all the other companies are doing it but nobody cares to notice! Apple's probably doing it, but everyone loves Apple so nobody picks on them. Poor Microsoft!
Person B:
Windows 10 is so awesome, so I'm going to post to Facebook telling everyone how much I love it.
Person C:
Windows on a gaming laptop exclusively for games. Mac user for everything else.
Also, the work I do that puts a roof over my head is all GNU/Linux-based - but only because I rejected work that didn't meet my personal ethical viewpoint.
It's GNU/Linux dammit!