Company announces new Windows 10 privacy features

Jan 25, 2018 06:27 GMT  ·  By

As I reported a few days ago, Windows 10 is being updated with new privacy controls that provide users with access to the data that Microsoft collects as part of its telemetry services to improve device performance and fix bugs and crashes.

Currently available in preview build 17083 but projected to go live for all users with the release of Windows 10 Redstone 4 in the spring, these privacy improvements come down to two different features: Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer and the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.

The Diagnostic Data Viewer provides users with access to the data that Microsoft typically collects from a Windows device and which is stored in the cloud for each computer.

According to Microsoft, the following information is collected and available for users in the Diagnostic Data Viewer:  

· Common Data, like the Operating System’s name, the Version, Device ID, Device Class, Diagnostic level selection and so on.
· Device Connectivity and Configuration such as device properties and capabilities, preferences and settings, peripherals, and device network information.
· Product and Service Performance data that show device health, performance and reliability data, movie consumption functionality on the device and device file queries. It’s important to note that this functionality is not intended to capture user viewing or, listening habits.
· Product and Service Usage data includes details about the usage of the device, operating system, applications, and services.
· Software Setup and Inventory such as installed applications and install history, device update information.
The new Windows 10 feature will provide options to view, search, and filter the collected data, and users are also allowed to send feedback about the viewer for further improvements. It can be found in Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback.

The Microsoft Privacy Dashboard is improved with a new Activity History section which also lets users see data saved with the Microsoft account.

Microsoft says further options will be added in the coming months, such as access to media consumption data, tools to export and delete data from the dashboard.

The Windows 10 Redstone 4 is projected to be finalized in March before shipping to the first devices in April. The latest preview build released as part of the Windows Insider program is available for users enrolled in the Fast and Skip Ahead rings.

Windows 10 Diagnostic Data Viewer in build 17084
Windows 10 Diagnostic Data Viewer in build 17084

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Windows 10 Diagnostic Data Viewer in build 17084
Windows 10 Diagnostic Data Viewer in build 17084
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