WINDOWS

⚠️ This page is no longer maintained!

The Windows operating system from Microsoft is not recommended anymore, tedious to manage and it is a privacy nightmare, it is getting worse, in simple words, Microsoft's operating system is now a spyware and so is Apple. We gave up! If you value your privacy, you should seriously consider switching to Linux.

This page covers some tips on how to configure Windows 10 to have more control over your privacy, after a new installation and/or keep a "clean system".

ℹ️ Options for older PCs that do not officially support Windows 11

SUMMARY

We all know how anti-privacy and bloated with useless applications and services Windows 10 operating system is, let's find out what we can do to mitigate all of that with the help of some applications and tools.

In the case you looking for solid alternative to Microsoft Windows Operating System, have a look at our Linux distributions selection for Windows users.

ABOUT WINDOWS AND PRIVACY

Microsoft Windows is by default an anti-privacy operating system.
Many features actually infringe your privacy.
Here a few points to remember.

By default, Data syncing is enabled.

By default, your device is tagged with a unique ad ID.

Microsoft / Cortana can collect any of your data.

Data sharing.

⚠️ By using Cortana you send Microsoft the following data, among others:
location, email, text, messages data, calandar data, apps used, contact list, who is calling you, frequent contacts, alarm settings, music on your device, what you purchase, search history, etc...

Fortunately, there are solutions to limit what Microsoft is spying on you.
We recommend these tools : O&O ShutUp10 | Privatezilla | PrivaZer

Completely remove Cortana with a powershell command:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

Find an alternative to Microsoft OS

STEP BY STEP

After a fresh install of Windows, you should do these steps.

STEP 1 : UPDATE

To update your Windows 10 device, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Windows Start Menu and click Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security and select Install Now or Check for Updates.
3. Wait for the update to finish installing and click Restart Now.

STEP 2 : UNBLOAT

It is strongly advised to uninstall all the applications your DO NOT use or need. You can use a third party tool to help you to do that better.

We suggest the free application O&O AppBuster.

STEP 3 : MITIGATE TELEMETRY

Windows has telemetry enabled by defaut and many features which infringe your privacy.

To mitigate that, we suggest the free application O&O ShutUp10.

Use the recommended settings like is shown in their video.
Actions → 🟡️ Recommended and somewhat recommended settings.

STEP 4 : KEEP YOUR SYSTEM CLEAN

To keep your system clean we suggest the free application Privazer.

💡️ ADVICE: Clean your system at least once a month!

⚠️ REMINDER:
❌️ Avoid download random shit!
✔️ Always download from official and trusted sources!

STEP 5 : DITCH WINDOWS FOR LINUX

Prefer Open and Free Software, uninstall Windows and switch to Linux!

APPLICATIONS & TOOLS (THIRD-PARTY)

The recommended softwares below are free to use.
You do not need to use them all, choose the ones that are useful to you.

CTT Windows Utility ⭐️

This is a tool that has evolved over several years and achieves much more than just debloating a Windows install.

O&O AppBuster ⭐️

O&O AppBuster allows you to remove the unwanted apps easily and quickly.

O&O ShutUp10 ⭐️

Decide how Windows 10 should respect your privacy by deciding which unwanted functions should be deactivated.

privacy.sexy >

Open-source tool to enforce privacy & security best-practices on Windows and macOS.

Privatezilla

The simplest way to perform a quick privacy and security check of your Windows 10 copy. Next to this it allows you also to debloat Windows 10.

PrivaZer ⭐️

Powerful PC cleaner and privacy tool that cleans unwanted traces.

Sophia Script for Windows

Sophia Script for Windows is the largest PowerShell module on GitHub for Windows 10 & Windows 11 for fine-tuning and automating the routine tasks. It offers more than 150 unique tweaks, and shows how Windows can be configured without making any harm to it.

Windows10Debloater

Script/Utility/Application to debloat Windows 10, to remove Windows pre-installed unnecessary applications, stop some telemetry functions, stop Cortana from being used as your Search Index, disable unnecessary scheduled tasks, and more...

WPD >

WPD is the most convenient way to configure various privacy settings in Windows.

APPLICATIONS & TOOLS (WINDOWS)

The tools below are built-in into Windows system.

Windows Certificat Manager

To access the Windows Certificat Manager:
On your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type certmgr.msc, then hit ENTER.

Windows Character Map

To access the Windows Character Map:
On your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type charmap, then hit ENTER.

Look for special symbols with the Webdings and Wingdings fonts.

Windows Disk Cleanup

To access the Windows Disk Cleanup Tool:
On your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type cleanmgr.exe, then hit ENTER.

To access the Windows Adanced Disk Cleanup Tool:
On your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type cleanmgr.exe /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr/sagerun:65535, then hit ENTER.

Windows Emoji Panel

To open the emoji panel:
On your keyboard press WINDOWS+.(dot).

Windows Product Key

To find your Windows product key:
1. Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type cmd, then hit ENTER.
2. On your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey, then hit ENTER.

Windows Registry Editor

To access the Windows Registry Editor:
Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type regedit, then hit ENTER.

Windows Version

To quickly check the version of Windows:
Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type winver, then hit ENTER.

TIPS AND TRICKS

TIP : AUTORUN AND STARTUP

Make sure that when Windows starts up, nothing unnecessary is running in the background by deleting the objects you don't use and are useless to you. Check the entries in MS Explorer AND in Registry Editor AND Task Manager, they are not the same.

Startup folders in MS Explorer

There are two startup folder locations in Windows 10.
One is for currently logged-on user, and one is for all users.
These folders are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up by placing the application shortcut in the folder.
The best way to open the startup folders in Windows 10, is to enter the path in address bar of MS Explorer.
For the current logged-in user, type : shell:startup or %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
For all the users, type : shell:common startup or %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

Startup keys in Registry Editor

There are two startup registry folders in Windows 10.
One is for currently logged-on user, and one is for all users.
These folders are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up.

To access the Windows Registry Editor:
Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type regedit, then hit ENTER.
For the current logged-in user, Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
For all the users, Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.

Startup entries in Task Manager

There are also entries in the Task Manager.
These entries are used to automatically run applications when Windows starts up.

To access the Task Manager Startup tab:
On your keyboard press and hold CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, or right click on the Taskbar and click Task Manager, then go to the Startup tab.
You can disable the entries you don't need by right click on the items then click Disable.

TIP : DELETE APPS YOU DON'T USE

Try to have as few apps as possible on your system and remove/uninstall the ones you don't need or use.

To access the Windows (Old) App Manager:
Open a Command prompt, on your keyboard press WINDOWS+R, type appwiz.cpl, then hit ENTER.

TIP : GODMODE SPECIAL FOLDER [WIN 10,8,7]

GodMode is a special folder in Windows that gives you quick access to many tools and settings that are normally hidden in Control Panel and other Windows and menus.
Name an empty folder on your computer like this : GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}, the folder will turn into a very convenient place to change all kinds of Windows settings.

⚠️ YOU MUST CREATE A NEW FOLDER, not use an existing folder that already contains files and folders. If you are using a folder that already contains data, all of those files will be instantly hidden, and although GodMode is working, your files will not be accessible.

TIP : PRIVACY ON WINDOWS 10

In Windows 10 Operating System, there are some privacy concerns to consider.

1. No Microsoft ID.

When Microsoft asks you to create a Microsoft account, DO NOT! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO!
Use a LOCAL ACCOUNT instead.

If during a new installation of Windows 10, Microsoft requires you to create a Microsoft account, go back to the previous step, before it asks you to create an account, then turn off your internet connection, then continue the process installer to create a local account.

2. Multi Users.

Create two local accounts, one Admin account, which you call User, then create a second User account, you call that one Admin. This is the one you will use for everyday uses.
Admin Account called User and then User account you name Admin. This trick will help to confuse potential threats.

3. Computer Name.

Prefer a generic computer name, avoid personal infos, names like john's computer.

4. Disable Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)

You can disable AMT with this tool : DisableAMT.

5. Eliminate Cortana.

By using Cortana you send to Microsoft the following data :
location, email, text, messages data, calandar data, apps used, contact list, who is calling you, frequent contacts, alarm settings, music on your device, what you purchase, search history, and more...
Completely remove Cortana with a powershell command:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

6. Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive.

Unless you encrypt your files, you do not want to send your files to Microsoft.
You can uninstall OneDrive via Windows App Manager.

7. Turn Off Activity History.

Activity History records every files you open!
Go to Settings > Privacy, disable all the spywares settings!
Make it easier with the help of : O&O ShutUp10

8. Disable Telemetry.

Go to Settings > Privacy, disable all spywares settings!
Make it easier with the help of : O&O ShutUp10 | Privatezilla.

9. Remove preinstalled antivirus and useless softwares.

Make it easier with the help of : O&O AppBuster.

10. Browser Setup.

Choosing a browser is a personal thing, but if you worry about privacy, a good choice would be Mozilla Firefox.
Have a look at our guide on how to configure Firefox.

11. Use a second Hard Dirve.

Save your data on an external Hard Drive.
If the worst appens, you just need to reinstall the system.

12. Use Thunderbird as email client.

...

TIP : REMOVE WHITE LINE ON EXPLORER DARK THEME

When you use the Dark Theme in Windows 10, you notice there is an annoying white line in the File Explorer. To remove it, do the following:

Open Internet Explorer -> Right click the Title bar -> Check Lock the toolbars. Open File Explorer again.

XTRA

Below are some useful scripts or fonctions.

CLEAR WINDOWS HISTORY (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 ; History Shellbags. [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU] ; History Open, Saved files. [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\OpenSavePidlMRU] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\OpenSavePidlMRU] ; History used apps. [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\LastVisitedPidlMRU] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\LastVisitedPidlMRULegacy] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\LastVisitedPidlMRU] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\LastVisitedPidlMRULegacy] ; History CIDSizeMRU. [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\CIDSizeMRU] [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\FirstFolder] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\CIDSizeMRU] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\FirstFolder] ; History MUI Cache. [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache]

DISABLE ACTIVITY HISTORY (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System] "EnableActivityFeed"=dword:00000000 "PublishUserActivities"=dword:00000000 "UploadUserActivities"=dword:00000000 "AllowClipboardHistory"=dword:00000000 "AllowCrossDeviceClipboard"=dword:00000000

DISABLE DATA COLLECTION (.BAT)

Save the code below into a .bat file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

rem Execute As Administrator! sc delete DiagTrack sc delete dmwappushservice echo “” > C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Diagnosis\\ETLLogs\\AutoLogger\\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v AllowDeviceNameInTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v DoNotShowFeedbackNotifications /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f pause

DISABLE MEET NOW (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "HideSCAMeetNow"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "HideSCAMeetNow"=dword:00000001

DISABLE NEWS AND INTERESTS (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

The following values are supported:
0 = Both the weather icon and temperature is shown.
1 = Only the weather icon is displayed.
2 = The feature is turned off.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds] "ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode"=dword:00000002

RESET SCREENSHOT INDEX (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer] "ScreenshotIndex"=dword:00000001

WINDOWS 10 DARK THEME (.REG)

Save the code below into a .reg file then run it AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize] "AppsUseLightTheme"=dword:00000000 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize] "AppsUseLightTheme"=dword:00000000

This tip is useful for unregistered versions of Windows 10, which blocks the access to the dark theme.

LINKS