14 DAY TRIAL // The original version of Windows 10 has been quite controversial when it comes to privacy settings offered to users, with many adopters and organizations alike accusing Microsoft of collecting too much data from computers running the OS.
The Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) was one of the groups launching an investigation against Microsoft in mid-2015, as it believed that Windows 10 did not comply with data protection legislation in the country.
Microsoft, however, worked closely with the privacy watchdog ever since, and the recently announced changes proposed for Windows 10 Redstone 2 are apparently a step in the right direction, as the Swiss organization no longer plans to start a lawsuit against the firm.
“The technical implementation of the modifications requested by the FDPIC will be carried out worldwide as part of the two Windows 10 software releases planned for 2017,” the FDPIC was quoted as saying in a Reuters report.
Microsoft is obviously very pleased with the decision of the Swiss privacy watchdog, so it used this occasion to emphasize that the firm is always ready to discuss how it can improve its products in every regard.
“As a global business, Microsoft is committed to complying with all applicable laws in the countries in which we offer our services and products,” a company spokesperson pointed out.
Privacy changes coming in Windows 10
So what exactly is Microsoft changing in its operating system to comply with these regulations? First and foremost, the company will implement a new setup experience in Windows 10 Creators Update that will replace the existing Express mode to provide users with more controls.
Users upgrading from Windows 7, Windows 8, or doing a clean install on a computer to start fresh with Windows 10 will be provided with new settings for privacy configuration, while those who are already on the latest operating system will receive notifications to update privacy settings.
The telemetry data settings that Microsoft is using in Windows 10 will be updated as well, as the company kills off the Enhanced level to stick with Basic and Full. The Basic mode will collect fewer details, which Microsoft says includes only the very critical information needed to improve Windows 10.
The Windows 10 Creators Update is due in April, but changes to privacy controls will first be made available for insiders in a preview build launching soon. Privacy tweaks will continue to be added in Redstone 3 as well.