this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2025
22 points (95.8% liked)
Technology
39372 readers
89 users here now
A nice place to discuss rumors, happenings, innovations, and challenges in the technology sphere. We also welcome discussions on the intersections of technology and society. If it’s technological news or discussion of technology, it probably belongs here.
Remember the overriding ethos on Beehaw: Be(e) Nice. Each user you encounter here is a person, and should be treated with kindness (even if they’re wrong, or use a Linux distro you don’t like). Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Subcommunities on Beehaw:
This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Easier to link am article than write one myself.
I only glanced through this one, it may not be 100%,but it gets the salient points.
https://www.emsisoft.com/en/blog/18770/the-truth-about-windows-10-spying-on-almost-everything-you-do/
The problem mostly exists on Windows Home versions, since they're not managed by am orga izatkom. Plus during initial setup it makes it seem like a Microsoft account is required, which means MS collects a lot of activity data about you.
I only run Pro, and disable many of these unused services with tools like O&O Shutup and setting specific registry keys.
Can those services and registry keys be disabled on Home editions as well?
Unfortunately no. Home edition will actively ignore Group Policies and Registry keys relating to privacy.
You would be better off using a 10 Pro license or pirating 10 Pro and keeping it from phoning home.
Is it possible to convert an existing Home installation to a Pro installation without completely wiping the system and reinstalling everything?
No. Not without paying a hefty license upgrade fee (Retail copy) or doing something incredibly shady. (Piracy tools which I won't specifically name but I'm sure you can find and likely know the dangers of obtaining for some users.)
Yes, Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation will give you an offer to upgrade your edition of Windows or change your product key.
You can type these magic words to your search engine: Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS)