Ok so basically you will never buy neither an iPhone, an Android phone or ever use a mobile phone for that matter.

No, in an ideal world, the options wouldn't be there because they weren't necessary - the OS wouldn't be collecting any data. Collecting data for advertising should not be a role that an OS performs (yes, I know you seem to think that it's not actually the OS, that Cortana etc shouldn't be considered part of the OS, but the fact is that it's all bundled together and installed as an OS. Cortana should be removed and be a separate install if MS want it to not be considered part of the OS.)

MS need to decide whether they are an OS developer or an advertising company. They should not be mixing those two businesses, they do not go together. Previous OS versions don't advertise at you, therefore they don't need that data. Logic also suggests that any data they were previously collecting, they would continue collecting. Logic also suggests that with network capacity increasing, the trend will be for greater collection of data. Ergo, I have extreme doubts that Win10 is collecting less data than previous versions. You're entitled to your opinion.

Edit:
No, you are not understanding what I'm saying. There are degrees to profiling, and there are tolerances that when crossed will lead me to avoiding something. In this case, I would be looking to avoid Win10 under any circumstances. I would not necessarily go to such extremes for something else.

In general, where practicable (i.e. where it will not set me back to the stone age) I will avoid any profiling. It does not mean that I will deny myself the basic tools to do my job or to conduct my life. I understand that I cannot avoid all possible sources of profiling, I simply minimise what I am exposed to where I can.

Frankly, I consider that only sensible - I don't understand why so many people are so eager to throw their info at anyone who asks for it.

My bad, the article starting with "February 15, 2015:..." lead me on the wrong track.

Yes, options are provided, but they are a) incomplete and b) not very obvious or transparent for "casual" users. Not all people are as tech-savvy as many people here. The average user will have their data mined to oblivion...

The OS is the one piece of software you have to trust. And as I said, for some people going Linux is not an option, for various reasons.

Now would you trust MS with your diary, or not?

But they are appropriately placed in the settings of the system, as should the privacy options for any OS. And you're presented with privacy options in the beginning of your installation. Plus most of the issue being overblown is partly due to the EULA, which they agreed on. Subjective. Since I know that whatever data they take is through the services such as Cortana, it obviously needs to have my permission for any of these services to work, otherwise I wouldn't be able to use them, even as mere as being able to have notifications for every e-mail sent to you.

And yes, I would if I wanted to use their services for the diary, case in point, I already use Cortana to serve as my short news feed and notification alerts. Let's be honest here, let's suppose they're all stealing your data like mad, uploading your 1TB harddisk to their servers and all. Do they have the capacity to do this? Are they going to see every file those 100 million+ users ever possessed? That's the question I'd like to see answered.

And what exactly Win10 does that iOS and Android doesn't do ? (Especially given that Google whole business model is based around harvesting and monetizing its users personal information)


You mean the average uses that uses Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc... most of the time the "casual" users doesn't care, they are too busy posting all their life on social networks.

Potentially run on my personal computer.

Edit: Look, you seem to be trying to find something to argue with me about. I'll save you the trouble - I don't use iOS or Android either, not currently having a need for a smartphone. If I ever need one, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

So running on your computer "bad" but running on your phone, tablet, etc... "ok"

See above. But yeah, if you like, running on my computer "bad". Linux running on my computer "good". Me like good!

The settings are by default "send what you want". Most people won't change this, maybe even don't know about it. And who ever reads the EULA?
I don't think Windows is uploading TB of data. Metadata is enough to come to conclusions. And it's well known that MS collaborates with the NSA since many years. You don't think it wouldn't be interesting if some outwardly ultra-conservative politician started HuniePop (or *gasp* Rapelay) in their free time? And that's exactly the kind of data that is transmitted.
That's a conscious decision of the users, not some hidden catch when you install your OS. And you only share what you want to share (even if people are careless), it's under your control for the most part.
That's like saying nutrient information on food products is not needed, since people will eat unhealthy food anyway.

You mean like what the Games Explorer Folder did since Vista? Funny, I don't recall anyone saying that Microsoft was snooping on what games we were playing back then.

P.S. What was the needed actions to disable that feature again?

Meaning, if I don't know much about cars, a car dealer may screw me over, because - well I could have got all the expertise to notice beforehand.
Most people use their computer like, ie., a cd-player. They want to turn it on and it should work. They wouldn't even get the idea that the thing reported back their listening to Je t'aime over and over. Luckily Windows 10 got a lot of press coverage, so people have become sensitive.

You mean, if this information (Machine-ID, anonymous my ass...) is used by secret agencies for their agendas this would become publicly known? You believe this in the year three after Snowden?

Enhanced and Full settings both send memory data after crashes. Enhanced is the default setting for Pro and Enterprise, Full is default for Home (afaik). Also please consider what a common user reads into these options, especially with titles like "Enhanced" - sound good, no?
Does Vista send the contents of "Games" to MS? I really don't know. Even then it's up to the dev of the game if a game registers there. Mine is pretty empty (in Windows 7).

Windows 10 however sends information about "app usage", so basically every program you start by default.

Where does the rating, cover etc come from? While some data may be included in the GDF file, I do recall it contacting the net for additional info, even if it was just "Ran app {GUID}, requesting artwork".

I seem to recall having icons for Master of Magic and Jagged Alliance 2 there, but not really sure. Could be files added through the GOG installer though, not the developer.

Possible. I know that Vista onward (if not XP onward) also collects said data, but not sure if it sends it or not. My comment about Games Explorer though was that Microsoft already knows what games you are playing, even before GOG appeared.

Yes could be. I've never used that thing. The GOG installers place games there, that's true, or at least some of them.

XP and onward sends crash data if you allow/want it. You are asked. What I allow when Visual Studio crashes, but not if Rapeplay 3 or my pirated copy of GTA 7 crash. With 10 you can't really prevent the data collection (except with the Enterprise version maybe).

Windows 7 has the "Customer Experience Program" that sends data to MS. But AFAIK you are asked after installation if you want to participate. And that's the way it should be.
PS: http://www.mstechpages.com/2010/10/enable-or-disable-microsoft-customer-experience-improvement-program/

I was actually talking about the indexing and caching Windows does, that is used (among other things) for ReadyBoost. And the ReadyBoost tab does have a Privacy Statement link, thus why I said I'm not sure if it sends the data or not.
So yes, Windows does know what apps you use, to better allocate memory for what needs to be cached more often.