Looks like MS has done it again. Screw them! I got Win 7 and 8.1, don't need anything else.

Last I heard an invasion of privacy was illegal.

Thanks Seth for the post, I read this the other day a figured you'd be on it as well.

To be fair there are some things that can be opted out of. I don't really know what they all might be but I read 13 screens and one outside source to make the opt outs happen.

I agree that it is really a BAD thing and most people won't even be aware of what they are giving away when they do a FREE upgrade. Unfortunately, if MS made these a opt in, nobody would opt in. Seems that MS, while providing updated software and OS is following the Goggle model of mining their customer's privacy for their own personal gain.

you're kind of agreeing to allow them to do so when you agree to the conditions listed in the EULA. I'm not saying it's okay, but....

Why are the collecting data specially private emails?They are spying you.This is insane it like a wiretapping you in home.Is this legal in states?When i talk to my friend i don't want my girlfriend read my message to them because i want privacy just like her but this MS is keeping your private data for what?Its obvious.

I think its like a previous poster stated, MS is adopting the Google 'business' model.  Mine personal data to sell to advertisers.

Destrohelix, Do yourself a favor. Ask them...the answer is probably tied to making money from sale of data, and huge databases.

Secondarily, weren't they the ones who resisted the DoJ (FBI) demanding access to their DBs in Ireland?

They do the same crap as governments: 1. "To improve your experience": Rubbish...to peddle their service to advertisers. 2. For profit DB sales. Governments: "To keep you safe and secure, we need your emails, phone records and metadata, etc." - Rubbish. "We need leverage over everybody." - Truth.

And we know governments are not immune to desiring leverage.  Just look at the blatant example of J. Edgar Hoover. And thya still named the 'new' HQ after him.  LOL

It just seems that with every day there is a new reason NOT to install Win 10.  These privacy issues are pretty much the last straw for me.  I certainly don't want MS knowing that I have a big bottom fetish and that I secretly perv at Kim Kardashian's big arse on the internet.  Moreover, I don't want to be targeted with unsolicited ads for big bottomed blow-up dolls.  No, I like to go to bricks and mortar stores to check them out personally.  I mean, some things are just too personal to come by mail order, besides that, I'm missing out on the intimate ride home with her in the back of a taxi.

All jokes aside, MS has sunk to some low depths in the past, but this is as subterranean as it gets  In essence, then, they're saying that everything on your PC belongs to them... including your own personal and private stuff.  Stinks?  No, it's beyond putrid, bordering on noxious.... though certainly obnoxious.  What really pisses me off is the fact they think it's okay to intrude into peoples lives because it is written in the EULA.  Law enforcement agencies require a warrant/court order to delve so far into peoples personal space, yet MS has set itself above the law with some lopsided EULA that so-say empowers them to rifle through your personal business at will.

If law enforcement acquired evidence this way, it would be thrown out of court as being obtained illegally, so the pertinent questions here are: Why does Microsoft think it can intrude when law enforcement can't?  Do we tolerate it?  And would a class action suit be in order to force changes?

Some of what has been highlighted in this topic has been going on for years - whatever operating system you have. If you think otherwise then you are sadly mistaken. They are just trying to be more transparent in their statements so they can be more aggressive like Apple and Google and, also, let you know that somethings they will have to reveal or share info if their hand is forced, legally. There are other reasons too but I don't want to feed the paranoia. 

Also, this article on the Windows 10 Wi-fi sense makes interesting reading but you can knock it out with a click of a button  http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-turn-off-windows-10-wi-fi-sense-2015-7

I've been playing with Windows 10 since launch day and I'm enjoying it. I managed what I'd read was impossible. A clean install - fully activated - on on brand new SSD. It's fast. Faster than 8.1 and 7. It's still got work to do with a few bugs here and there. Windows 10 will be a winner just like 7 & XP was but it will take two years for Microsoft to get it there. The Edge browser is great but without a pop-up blocker its currently no match for Chrome but when they rectify that it will be very usable and may take over on my machines from Chrome.

Yes, I miss some of my Stardock apps but I know that they will be coming along in the next few months to make my Windows 10 experience even better.  

I took the plunge because I'd rather get used to the new OS now and explore its depths than wait till later. Each to their own.    

@starkers

After I read your last post I had to remind myself that you are a current user of windows phone....

@leothelion

I agree completely.  Very well put.

@topic

How exactly is the digital assistant (Cortana in this case) supposed to automatically remind me of my flight, car rental/hotel booking etc. etc. without 'reading' my email?  How is 'it' supposed to get any better at its job without sending at least some data to its main servers?

Some of us enjoy having to spend less time physically interacting with our devices while at the same time not having to sacrifice their usefulness and technology which can be employed to make that a better overall experience seems reasonable regardless of perceived or in fact real negatives.

I don't need it to get better at its job. I don't want it to have a job at all. Keeping track of my stuff is MY job.

What did people ever do before they had a Cortana to whisper in their ear? How did they ever survive? 

Why do I need to give up what precious little privacy I have for some synthetic voice to tell me what I can check before getting a cab to the airport? Are you kidding me? For that? Thank but no thanks.

What about your data files and whatever else you keep on your computer? What's the excuse they need for...never mind. They just take it. Oh, and did Cortana say "Thank you, Monk."?

There is "some" hope. Many of these issues can be turned off, or disabled just like in Windows 8.1. You just need to be a little savy with some of them, and know what to look for.

One Drive was the first thing i disabled after the upgrade. I don't need a copy of my hard drive on a "cloud'. I don't ever use it so i set it not to sync with anything, or load on startup. Though i am kind of pissed that they embedded it into windows, and you cant uninstall it (been like that since 8.1).

Anything i saw that can "phone home", or "sync with anything" that i could disable on the privacy settings i disabled!

Uninstalled IE-11, and installed Firefox, and will NEVER use Edge (at least not willingly) as my default browser.

Did not, nor will i touch Cortana. Skipped the set up during set up, and will sit there waiting to be "set up" indefinitely.

Disabled all Bluetooth, and Remote Settings. I dont use bluetooth. So i dont need it, and leaving remote settings enabled is like leaving a fortress with its gates unbarred, and unguarded.

A place you may want to check out is Black Viper. Mr. Sparks over the years has been over every version of Windows since XP. With helpful installation tips. tweaks, and service configurations (disabling stuff you just don't need). He only has been over the Preview builds of W10 so far, but im keeping an eye to see what he can do with the retail version.

Hi.

ie6 was a standard browser. however that is outdated now.

Sadly edge cortana and other parts of the system will tend to call microsoft and tell them what you are doing.

Wasn`t it the same with windows XP??.

Just wait a bit and there`ll be 3thrd party  solutions for these problemes.( Cause there sure are people not liking that behaviour).

I use my windows 8.1 offline or ten minutes after starting with chrome or firefox in security mode task manager open most times.

regards bluedxca93

Can't remember which Python character said it but, "It's all a matter of 'leevridge'."

Wherein lies the problem.

Yes I am, but I do not use Cortana and have turned it off.  There are probably other ways for MS to snoop on my phone use, but these days I pretty much just make calls/send texts and occasionally check my emails.  While I have some apps installed, I don't often use them these days... nor do I use my phone's MP3 player to listen to music.  I mostly use my Win 8.1 tablet for that, and though I have apps loaded in 'Metro', I don't use them/it anymore and use simply my tablet as a regular PC.  Sure, Win 8/8.1 probably rings home as well, but I have minimised that where possible and I've not been pestered by unsolicited ads or other nuisance value spam, etc.

As for Win 10 and the privacy concerns, I read this article that explains how many of these intrusive features can be turned off during installation... or if you've already delved into Win 10, how to find the settings afterwards.  While there's no promise to restore your privacy 100%, the article does say that many of these invasive items can be nullified with a few tweaks.... and good job, too.  However, I do not see why I should have to go to such lengths to protect my privacy and personal data... to avoid targeted ads based on stuff MS should never have been able to see/hear.

I've always been an early adopter of new OSes, starting with beta versions and sticking with the final editions, but not this time.  I initially was looking forward to the release of Win 10, but I didn't bother to install any of the previews, nor have I jumped to install the RTM/public release because something just didn't feel right.  The advertised new features and under-the-hood improvements did interest me, and they sort of still do, but forced updates, and now privacy concerns, have very much dulled the gloss of what is touted as MS' best ever OS.

As for MS talking 'transparency', a few people who attempted to read the 30-something page privacy statement commented that it was convoluted and as clear as mud... that the bit about 'good faith is a blatant lie that attempts to cover up commercialism, greed and a lust for power.  Put bluntly, the whole thing is a profit driven lie that has no regard for users whatsoever.  Okay, so there's new features and improvements, but there sure is a steep price for this 'free' OS.  Personally, I'd rather pay for a Win 10 copy that has all that 'prying' code ripped out and is not a data harvesting Google clone.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and this debacle clearly shows there is no such thing as a free OS.