Do you want to stop Microsoft from spying on you in Windows? Well today I will show you what you can do to stop the spying once and for all. These are relatively easy settings you can change that should stop the telemetry in Windows 10 and 11. Stop big tech from selling your data by not giving them your data to sell.
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#Windows #Privacy #Tech
Saying you don't care about privacy because you have nothing to hide is as dumb as saying that you don't care about freedom of speech because you have nothing to say.
Facts.
Absolutely
Edward Snowden quote!
Hah, that's gold! I'm gonna use that (so long as it's opensource). 😅
@@klwthe3rd Is it actually? That's awesome!
After using these mods, my idle ram usage dropped by 6%
😶
Yeah. And who paid for that RAM. I took the lazy way. I run PiHole. Which of course Microsoft cant touch. Xbox to iDevices covered. Everything apart from the socket on the wall belongs to me and I say what happens on MY domain.
As an IT Security Professional i always love these videos that try their best to eliminate/mitigate all the Microsoft Telemetry. Due to my job, i have to use Windows 11 but i can assure you when the day is done, my personal machine is a Linux Distribution. I personally love Zorin OS which is a more polished/professional look over Linux Mint but either way it gives me the piece of mind that Microsoft isn't spying on me. And ofcourse i use Firefox not Chrome for my brower on Linux 🤪
I'll have to check out Zorin. I've been on Mint for many years. It works really well on my 2013 Dell 7010sff and am now with much better internet (Starlink) that is allowing me to explore things! Just bought an XPS 8930 I'm refurbing and upgrading to have some fun with, along with a Dell T3610 for initial home lab stuff. Ubuntu Server loaded with no issue on the on the T3610. The I.T and server world has changed significantly sine 2003! I feel like Rip Van Winkle, just waking up after over 20+ years of sleep.
@@FarmerRiddickPlease try it. I promise you that you'll love it more than Mint. I started with Mint briefly when i first switched to Linux but quickly found Zorin OS from Chris Barnett's KZhead Channel, "Explaining Computers" and haven't looked back. He has several video about it on his channel if you want to learn more.
@@klwthe3rd Thanks. The only problem with Linux is that income tax software is either Windows-only or Mac-only.
Aren't Brave and Librewolf browsers more private and secure than Firefox?
@@rootcanal7188 Their default settings are. Firefox can be just as secure with some tweaking. By the way, Librewolf is an already tweaked version of Firefox, which sounds great, except for the fact that it is always several versions older, which in itself can be a security threat. Better to use the most up to date version of the browser, normal Firefox, and set it to be as secure as you choose. Also, Brave browser is a locked down version of Chromium, which is "open source" Chrome. Just for that reason I avoid it.
Aren't people tired of applying scripts and things to block telemetry, for it to be negated after the next update? It's a never ending cycle.
If you have a router you could load that list of sites to block int he host file into the router, then microsoft can alter whatever they want to no avail.
I was all in on this kind of stuff back in the day, I did get tired of it, and have run a purely vanilla windows system for over 10 years, I'm still alive. Life's too short tbh.
"I've been smoking 50 a day and Drinking Lighter Fluid for over 10 years, I'm still alive" - not a great idea to advertise unhealthy life habits ;) For a one shot fix try O and O's 'Shut Up Ten' (works on 11) - click a few boxes and youre done!
Editing the hosts file was a good tip! 👍
Very beautiful work my man. Helped a lot! Greetings from Spain 🎉
You can edit the host file at location. Just open Notepad as Administrator and do your thing and save. Been doing it like that for decades
there is one thing that you could do to make reaplying registry mods in the future easier you can export all created registry keys and save them to one folder and either periodically doubleclick them or you can create bat file listing them and ading this bat to windows scheduler let's say weekly or once a month
I have an AutoIT script I've made that does that. However, your way works too. The only benefit to the way I do it is it's only a single click.
@@CyberCPU nothing is stoping you from consolidating registry expoets to just one file by removing headers and splicing the working parts in notepad by copy paste might be a bit much for a begginer but as far as microsoft sometimes lblock"harmfull scripts" in windows defender, i don't think they ever blocked adding registry keys back by clicking on exports
@@CyberCPU Share Please
That would be a great video! @@CyberCPU
@@kokodin5895the reason I use AutoIT is so I can have options. I typically use a list of checkboxs that will let me choose which reg patches I want to apply. I might not want to do all of them on every machine.
Just an FYI, on the hosts file you can open it as administrator in something like Notepad++ and you can edit and save without the hassle you described. I do this all the time when I am testing and building websites and it works great.
It's not much of a hassle. It would take longer to explain to people how to download notepad++ then just move the host file. But good tip.
@@CyberCPU , It even works with Notepad with admin permissions. Just did it.
Waste of time, windows bypasses the hosts file and firewall on telemetry. Have to block it at the router level or PiHole. Yea yea, it shows Defender says host hijacked just look up Barnacles who used to work at microcrap and he was bit surprised finding that out. Maybe Dave Plumber could give an answer to this also.
Visual Studio Code also works just fine, it asks you to retry as an admin and that's just one extra click after pasting.
Keep going, you're awesome 👍
Awesome video, Thanks.
You're welcome.
Man you're a star!! thankyou!! 🤩
I can't stand when people say that... there's so many ways to show how absurd that logic is. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, it's none of the government's business what I'm doing, unless they have obtained a warrant/subpoena, going through due process to obtain that information. The point is that they shouldn't have unfettered access to people's personal information. Also, I would gladly pay $100 for Windows to not collect any of my data and to give me full control of my system.
Agreed, it's crazy what's going on.
Well said and i agree 100%
the data collection uses your ram and power its costing you money and time
I like your communication style!
I've not used Windows for years and was curious to see what steps were taken here. I'm pleased to see it's everything I used to do. I went a bit further in the Task Schedular and turned turned things on and off with a bit of trial and error to see what I could live without. I found I could turn a LOT of things off. I kept a list in a spreadsheet for each machine, sometimes it differed slightly. Alas I'm not sure if I have the spreadsheet anymore so if I ever return to Windows I may have to go through the process again!
Yeah you keep thinking that turn off those gui buttons actually matters. Big damn hint and reality check for you.... Telemetry which is built into the windows kernel... Cannot be disabled nor can the updates engine which has also built into the windows kernel But yeah you show microsoft you're the boss lol. 😉
@@motoryzen I do. I haven't used Windows for ten years.
@@taylorkoepp3048 0.o I"m wondering if you even got the point I was making but (shrugs).
great tips thanks!
Wow, thank you so much...I did similar things when I was setting up my computer...and...yeah...most of the things were there again, I wasn't aware of that MS is activating all these things after an update -.- Thanks for pointing this out!
Thanks for this.
This is why I'm subscribed to you.
Great tutorial. Thanks!
Excellent vid, you just earned yourself a new sub. I look forward to watching all your vids. I am so sick and tired of paying for internet, a service that I pay cash for, only to be spied on. Same with never ending ads. I paid 1500 bucks for this computer and I pay 100 bucks a month for internet. If they want my data, they should be paying me. It really is like buying a new car and paying for the gas to run it, only to be forced to drive around with 1000s of advertisements on it from people that have no right putting anything on my car, or track where I go and what I do with my car. Now, if I can only figure out how in the hell I can stop never ending ads or non stop political news bs, that would be great.
Bravo to you man, Just please notice well the "hosts" file should be "read-only" to work.
great video thanks
Good video!
having more privacy sounds fantastic.
Great tutorial ❤
Thanks.
Great video! I love the thumbnail. A little creepy but funny. I could imagine Im sitting in my kitchen having my morning coffee and reading the newspaper. out of the corner of my eye detect movement outside of my window and its Bill Gates.🤣🤣
thank you Rich for the updated hosts list
Great video! Something similar for Android? 🤔
17:08 There is a way to save the Host file without moving it out of the etc folder and that is by opening an elevated Notepad (running Notepad as an admin) then going to File within Notepad and opening the Host file there. Then you can edit the Host file and save it without moving the Host file to a new location.
Good video. I've watched a few of your videos and found them helpful. I'm now a subscriber. Any suggestions on how to get the search box on the task bar to work properly in Windows 11. My laptop is just over a month old and the search box doesn't work properly.
Please, explain "doesn't work properly" and maybe I can help you.
👍 Thank you !
If you have a modded host file, you duel boot, you can replace the host with a copy of the modded from the other OS with no issue.
thanks buddy
Your video was SOooo helpful! I found bing search crap so annoying! Finally! You helped me get rid of that! Thank you, thank you , THANK YOU Sir!
regarding the hosts file, just open notepad with Run as Administrator then navigate to the c:\windows\System32\drivers\etc then make sure to change it from looking for .txt files to all files then you can edit the hosts file and save without the copy > edit > save > copy steps.
Me personally I do all those steps, but I found Windows processes still randomly calling home found the only way to truly block them is use a reverse firewall like Simplewall.
I thought I'd taken out much of the privacy stuff, but your video showed some I'd missed, so thank you for that, and yes, much of it works in W10 Pro. I have a question however that I'm not willing to try without further research, so if you would be available to advise. Your personal choice is you don't like MS accounts, freedom of choice, I can respect that. And my PC has a local login, but I do use MS OneDrive which signs in automatically when my system boots. I also use a MS email address which I don't want to loose the function off by disabling a MS account function (such as you describe at 7:05). At that timestamp does changing the MS account (not work as that is disabled anyway), but does that disable the MS Account prevent syncing of OneDrive, or do you mean it's just how you log into your PC, local vs online? Many thanks in advance.
Just an F.Y.I, you can actually edit and re-save the hosts file, without having to copy it elsewhere and then back again. You just have to run notepad as administrator, then click File and open, then navigate to the hosts file and open it. Edit it and then save it. Done. 🙂
Awesome thanks for that helpful tip! I wonder if you can use FOSS Notepad++?
Thank you sir. Every little bit helps. Also. Can you direct us to perhaps a place where we can decipher whether we need a specific update that comes down the pipe. I have my update settings set to manual. And I notice things like Defender anti virus.....seeing how I use another anti virus, I'm assuming that I wouldn't need that. Your thoughts? Thanks
I don't recommend disabling Windows update.
If you use the emoji's in Word they have color and almost match what is shown. For the hosts file I just right click on it and send shortcut to Desktop. Then open the shortcut, edit with notepad++, save and if it asks for Admin rights I give it and save. Instead of copy/paste twice. I never realized that Security Center was marking it as possibly hijacked but it never reverted the changes I made to it anyway. I've been doing it that way for years
Linux users, why are you watching this then?
😂
Big tech wants your data with a powerful will. A HOSTS file edit won't stop code that uses TCP to implements its own DNS client to query well-known static IP addresses or gets a list of IP addresses through some other way. What you need in order to block that is a router that can be configured to not allow direct IP connections that weren't resolved by a DNS query. However, you will find that some online programs, file sharing services and games will not run because they rely on their home server telling them which IP address(es) to connect to. The fact that these other popular programs and games need direct IP access also means you open the door for telemetry to use the same methods. Businesses such as banks and hospitals have to go to great lengths to protect privacy, using technologies not reasonably available to home users.
Great job, as always. Thanks
People who say they have nothing to hide are still the same people who lock their doors each day when they go out. Why? Because they don't want people going into their house
Syncing bookmarks and settings between machines is a "good" way to let Microsoft to store your web browse potential and habits.
The EASIEST way to stop Microsoft from spying on you is to get the Ghost Spectre version of Windows 10 or 11. It strips out all of the telemetry and useless features that no one wants and takes it a step further by giving you the option to make Windows look like 7 at install. Another benefit is my PC runs faster because all of that bloat is not running in the background.
@@The_DuMont_Network KZhead channel Ghost Spectre
Do you know why their Windows 10 ISO and Windows 11 ISO are downloadable on two different sights??? Why would all their ISOs not be on the same URL??
@@klwthe3rd You get the latest ISO from the Ghost Spectre KZhead page and I’ve been running this for years and never had issues.
@@LordOcelotThanks so much for your help. It seems there are so many other people on all platforms offering the link. I will check out their official KZhead page thanks to you. So basically you have to run this OS unactivated and don't receive any security updates since it's not endorsed by Microsoft?
@@klwthe3rd correct! It has a built in activator that just removes the watermark and Updates are turned off until 2077. Most if not all phoning home is disabled by default and you can activate what you want. We’re talking the power back from Microsoft lol
Thank you.
You're welcome!
I've been through two feature updates (22H2 and 23H2) and both the CEIP tasks and the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser have remained disabled. Maybe MS will get sneaky one day but that's a pretty good sign that MS (for now) honours the settings of those tasks. I'd probably disable rather than delete as if it's missing MS might put it back with default setting, where as if it exists there's a better chance the update will leave it alone. Who know with MS though.
Those Privacy & security toggle switches are there to make you feel good. Try running wireshark before and after you switch them, almost zero difference.
Is there a Wireshark pre/post difference?
Thanks for sharing. But why do you do not use group policy editor to made changes on a one position. There is more to disable as you can do on Windows Settings. A tip from me. Maybe do you can a video for that to. If you have time for that. ^^ Like your videos - Stay tuned.
Believe it or not, next week's video is exactly on that topic.
@9:02 - Windows allows you to select which Store Apps can access your "Camera, Microphone, location" but does not do it for Desktop Apps. is there a registry fix to enable this for Desktop-Apps?
I'm pretty sure desktop apps are included in the list. I know I went to use the same computer to do a video the following week after filming this and my microphone was disabled in my screen capture program. It's a desktop app and I was able to enable it.
You can open and save the hosts file if you first open Notepad as an administrator.
How can you be sure, that Microsoft really isn’t spying on you after these changes. They could even use sth like proxy’s and just bypass the hosts file.
Exactly well put It is simple the only way to finally beat. Hey game that cheats and it's unbeatable is to start playing the damn game
I agree. That's why I call them Micro💩
About the only way to get around that is to block those sites on your router or in a VPN. You might suffer a tiny loss of speed, but an external fence is about the only "certain" way. Of course, there is nothing stopping M$ from using alternate sites. There could also be routines buried in the Windows OS which determine "x" site is unavailable, use site "y".
MS is never "spying" on anyone, in the 1st place❗ Geeesh, people be serious❗ Plus, if you don't care to help improve computing Disallow (say NO) to everything when 1st installing the OS.
@14:36 Good tio, but I'd di it at the network level. Install something like PieHole on a machine that's always on and block the hosts from there...
Thanks for your tutorials which I just recently have been using. Q: Disabling search results (9:47) I do not see a "Explorer" folder under: Microsoft > Windows. Is this because I'm using Chrome & not Explore?
You can't use a local account anymore. I've tried three tips including yours and it's a no go.
Here’s another way to limit data collection: ditch chrome for Brave or Firefox (or VPN)
i use blackbird for that, works well
after modifying the host file, will we still get updates etc?
the reg hacks from last year,that you posted about bing on the start menu are still working
Good to know. Microsoft has been pretty good lately at not undoing people settings with updates. However, it's still something I recommend checking.
@@CyberCPU crafty sods ain’t they
well its still doesn't show disabled Diagnostic Data on my Win 11 Pro 23H2 (local account) OS Build 22631.3085. it still shows sending required data.
Some time ago I believe I turned off 10 Pro Telemetry, perhaps in Services.
You can edit the host file in place by launching notepad as an admin. Then open it in place and it will save back just fine.
I use Windows 10 Enterprise Edition because it has the ability to disable the diagnostic, you can set it to security in GPO. The problem with the hostfile is that it won't work, Windows has the IP's hard-coded in to every servce, so if you really want to block them you have to use the firewall. But if you do that Windows update is not going to work on your system either so you need a local update server. And you forgot smartscreen and automatic sample submission. If you want the safest version of windows, just install the LTSC version or Windows Server.
You cannot legally install the Enterprise edition without having an Enterprise license.
@@CyberCPU Legal or not, it gets the job done! There's alot of people out there who have access to enterprise or education editions. Microsoft doesn't like it either when you use LTSC (IoT) or Windows server, but i don't like them spying on me and selling my private data, so i'd say where even.
@@CyberCPU The keys you advertise aren't legal licenses either, so you don't really have any place saying what is legal and what is not.
@@csparty11 I'm just saying. Most businesses need legit software.
@@soundspark yes they are. It's like DVDs from different regions. Prices are set based on the location they are being sold. Those licences are just from different regions. You would be shocked to find out how much Dell pays for Windows licenses. Last I heard, it was $12.
Hosts file works all on it's own ;-)
Hi there Mr CyberCPU Tech, please can you add up an video on how to Restore the old Windows Photo Viewer, you can't see it by default in windows 11, think it's the same in windows 10
Just a Question: I do Remote Access to another computer in my home network. When I disable my MS Account and turn in to a local account I Cant remote desktop connection into that computer. Any Ideas on how to fix this? tks Great Vid by the way.. Windows 10 Pro by the way.. I hate to lose Windows 10 everything work fine with all the software I use...
What if it says Some Settings are hidden or managed by your organization (Does the registery setting make that happen ) ?
thank u
You're welcome!
Legend
Anonymous local weather can be had via the National Weather Service site (make a shortcut). Anonymous mapping and navigation can be had at Open Street Maps online. KZhead won't let me post the links.
11:49 Task schedular Setting.
I know this is a privacy consern and it's good if you are not in the Windows Insider program, but turning off some of these setting will not allow you to get the newest builds for windows 11, I turned them all off except the one that allows new builds, I'm not sure which one, but it will warn you when you shut it off. Windows 24H2 update will wipe out all of these settings, you're going to have to go back in and re-do all of these settings..
microsoft wont listen to insiders anyway
@@jasonhillone TRUTH!
This is true. However, you shouldn't be running insider builds on a production system you use everyday. They're really only meant for testing.
@@CyberCPU Correct you are sir!
Does Microsoft reset all the setting after each major build?
The kind of privacy you need to pay more attention is about numbers, statistics and financial matters and not about personal stuff that they do not care about, you smartwatch and smartphone for example are collecting data that can make your life and health insurance prices bigger, even a flight ticket and hotel room price can become more expensive depending on the location you are at the moment you purchase them online, but about windows it is better to be careful what you type on a search box to avoid trouble with ................, because in the digital age nothing is private and there is always a way in and the only secrets you can keep are the ones that you do not store on an electronic media device at home of on the cloud.
It would be amazing a video on how to make a laptop save its battery consumption...by setting windows in the best way.
I'm using the MS account on my mobile devices, since it already saved my stolen laptop. You need the Find My Device feature for such a scenario. When giving such advices to turn it off you should also note the features you lose by doing so. Features are not there just to be nefarious, contrary to most conspiracy theories. The host file hijack is a legitimate threat to your computer for example. Some malware redirects your traffic through proxies with that, and the windows antivirus is doing a good job of detecting that.
can you share your video on using local account for Win OS 11. thanks
you can modify the host file if you open notepad as administrator
Can you do a video on big box store laptop? How would you take a big box store laptop running Windows S to a hardened small business device while disclosing as little information about the owner to Microsoft in case Microsoft is hunting technical competitors like in the movie Antitrust?
i stopped microsoft spyware by using centos
Adblock is a good thing
Except unneeded. I used to have an ad-blocker but Edge will take care of blocking everything without adding an extension. Just toggle on Block Ads & Block Pop-ups in Edge settings.
honestly i don't even block Telemetry for the Privacy, i just do it for the Performance & Drive space, Drives full of Piracy don't grow on trees, you know
after the regedit part it didn't shut off telemetry. It created 3 new files that go around the file I made. What to do?
What the apps and websites like KZhead and Facebook they are also interested in our data too
This is true. However, it's virtually impossible to protect your privacy on social media because the point of the app is giving away all your personal data. 🤷🏻♂️
@@CyberCPU I know but we can still limit by not giving them our real names and using a burner mails and phone numbers in addition to securing them with 2 factor authentication and passkeys
I have an 8700k processor with 2 16gig memory sticks and for some reason lately I've been having trouble just after boot up with the computer just bogging down and everything being so slow. I even have to shut it down sometimes because it will just lock up and I have to do a hard restart. My windows 11 is on a 2tb hard drive and has over 1tb of space left. I watched about half of this video and followed all the steps up until then and then someone came over so I didn't finish the video. Anyway since then my computer is running so much better. Could all of that Microsoft crap be bogging my system down that much?
nah, now I've got Kubuntu spyin' on me now!
Brave is the browser to go for for security
forgot the link in the description for the github
Sorry, I forgot. It's there now.
I miss Windows 7... :(
Every OS spies on you even Linux. Yes, Linux. I use ad blockers, so I have never seen ads in 10 years.
If you select Blocks ads & Block Pop-ups & Block 3rd Party Cookies in Edge... yes, you will not see any ads, at all AND that is with no ad-blocked extension added.
@@Drew1903SG No. Not true.
@@Nick41622 Sorry, but 1st hand experience, yes, it IS true.
@@Drew1903SG No.
@@Nick41622 Dig your head in the sand & say "No" all you like, it is, still, true! I used to have an ad-blocker, haven't for a LONG time and have NO ads or pop-ups, thanks to available settings in Edge.
Wonder how you feel about VPN'S
If You would use a hyper v linux machine on windows host would that help?
No. Your connection is still going through the Host, Windows.
If I use the Microsoft one drive and the new Microsoft backup on Windows 11 and I do this to the Host file, will those two apps continue to work?
Just don't do this stuff. There is no "spying" happening, anyway.
@@Drew1903SG please explain, thanks
Will blocking all Mircrosoft servers cause the system to malfunction? Do we lose any necessary services from Microsoft?
Define "necessary services from Microsoft"...
Just in case anybody has a hard time seeing the screen, AllowTelemetry is one word.
if my computer is in s mode how do i download Microsoft to disable it i cant find any videos that can help
I have everything turned off but I worry that even when you turn them off, it doesn't change anything. They probably still collect everything either way
Have you seen the so called “memory leak” with certain applications in the task manager. For example, go to task manager and look at file explorer, open file explorer and then close it. You will see that after it has closed the memory usage stays the same and doesn’t drop! Happens to many people. Anyone know a fix?