Windows 10: How to protect your privacy

No other Windows version collects as much data as in Windows 10. Your privacy is severely restricted by the default settings in the new Windows. You can defend yourself against some interventions. We show you which settings you should adjust.

Privacy in Windows 10: what happens to the data?

It is clear that Windows 10 collects more data than any previous operating system. But this is not fundamentally reprehensible. Services like Cortana only work if Microsoft requests some user data.

• Microsoft lawyer Horacio Gutiérrez says the new terms and conditions would be based on the three principles of simplicity, transparency and privacy.
• However, data protection experts like the organization European Digital Rights consider the rage to be questionable: "One can say that Microsoft grants itself very extensive rights to collect everything you do, say or write on your devices in order to sell more targeted advertising or sell your data to third parties, "says a blog post.
• The main problem is that Microsoft automatically grants all access rights to personal data via the express settings when updating to Windows 10.
• You should therefore click on "Adjust settings" during installation. Here you can deactivate almost all options. However, you should leave smart screen protection activated if you are not using any other virus protection.

Privacy and Microsoft account: is that possible?

To use all features of Windows 10, you need a Microsoft account. However, Microsoft can use this to create a direct connection between you and the data collected.

• Each Microsoft account is linked to an ID, which the company can use to link the collected app and browser data with your email address and your name.
• All services that use the account log in automatically and may send data to Microsoft.
• You can do without a Microsoft account and sign in with a local account. But you also have to do without services such as Cortana and backing up your data in the cloud.

Adjust privacy settings in Windows 10

With or without a Microsoft account, you should adjust the privacy settings in Windows 10. This can at least limit the group's rage for collecting.

• Advertising ID: Since Windows 8 there is the so-called advertising ID, with which advertising is to be tailored specifically to the user. For example, browser data is sent to Micosoft.
• You can switch off the advertising ID in the settings (Windows key + [I]). To do this, click on "Data protection" and deactivate the first point "Allow apps to use the advertising ID for cross-app experiences".
• In the data protection menu, you can make further settings using the list on the left. For example, you should only allow access to your position for certain apps or switch it off completely. This works by setting the corresponding sliders to "On" or "Off".
• Camera access, microphone access, account information, contacts and calendar are also important. Allow access to the relevant data only to the apps that you use and that can only work in this way. Skype, for example, needs access to the camera, microphone and your account if you want to use it.

Privacy in times of Cortana

The new voice assistant function in Windows 10 is called Cortana.

• In another practical tip, we explain in detail what Cortana is.
• Cortana may be useful, but it also collects a lot of personal information. This includes position, contacts, voice input, information from emails and SMS, browser and search history, calendar details and other information.
• If you're using a local account, Cortana is already disabled. We show you how to switch off Cortana as a user with a Microsoft account.

Is my privacy now protected?

Unfortunately, the transfer of personal data to Microsoft cannot be completely prevented under Windows 10. At least not through your own settings.

• Even if services such as Cortana are deactivated, Windows 10 sends data to Microsoft's search engine Bing via the search function, according to the website ars technica. Other services that are actually deactivated via the privacy settings continue to send information to Microsoft, according to the website.
• Tools like "W10 Privacy" should prevent this. We'll show you three free tools that protect your privacy in Windows 10.
• If you don't trust Windows 10 when it comes to data protection, you can undo the update within a month.

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Windows 10: Protect privacy in mail traffic

Microsoft is constantly reading along not only in the mail app, but also in Outlook. You can take several measures to prevent this.

• First, you can encrypt your mail accounts so that no one can intercept the content of your messages.
• Alternatively, you can also access a completely anonymous mail service such as Posteo. The provider does not request any personal data and stores all emails and all data traffic encrypted. This level of anonymity costs one euro a month, which you can send to Berlin by post.

Password prompt avoidable in Windows 10: is your privacy still secure?

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to start Windows 10 without a login.

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