Four Privacy Settings You Should Tweak in Windows 10

A couple of years after Microsoft rolled out Windows 10, it came up with an update to revamp privacy settings. If you are using the latest Windows version, then you might be a bit concerned about your data privacy. You can change the Windows 10 privacy settings to protect your personal data and information. Here are four privacy settings you should tweak to get a safer Windows 10 experience.

Disable ad tracking

Several individuals are concerned about what information is being collected about them when they surf the internet. This data makes a profile of the individual’s preferences and tastes, and a number of organizations utilize it for targeted advertisements. Windows 10 creates an advertisement identity, which is unique to all users on a system, and this is used by application devs and ad networks for offering more appropriate advertising in applications.
Here are the steps for turning off the advertising ID:

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on Settings from the Start menu.
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Click on the General option.
5. Disable the feature for letting apps use advertising ID.

Disable location tracking

Windows 10 keeps track of their user, no matter where they are. While this location tracking feature is useful while booking cabs, getting weather updates or checking hotels in the vicinity, you can disable it. Here is how you can turn off location tracking in Windows 10:

1. Launch the Start menu.
2. Select the Settings option from the left pane.
3. Click on the Privacy button from the Settings screen.
4. Now, select Location from the left pane.
5. Disable the location tracking by toggling the bar.

Disable Timeline

Windows 10 makes a collection of all the activities performed by the user. This includes the documents they have accesses as well as the web history. If you do not want Windows 10 to collect information about your activity history, then you can easily turn the feature off. Here’s how:

1. From the Start menu, click on Settings.
2. In the Settings app, click on the Privacy option located in the upper right corner.
3. After that, click on the Privacy option and select Activity history.
4. Turn the bar next to “Filter activities from accounts” off.
5. Finally, turn off the bar next to Let Windows collect my activities below.

Completely disable Cortana

Cortana is an incredibly efficient built-in voice assistant. However, you might want to disable it if you are concerned about privacy. When Cortana is enabled, it lets Windows 10 add certain information from your Windows 10 gadgets. This data includes reminders, contacts, locations visited, applications used, music tastes.

1. In the search box, type regedit and press the Enter key.
2. Click on its icon.
3. Click on Yes in the User Account Control window.
4. Locate the Windows folder and right-click on it.
5. Select New and click on Key.
6. Name the Key Windows Search.
7. Now, right-click on the new key.
8. Select the New option.
9. Click on DWORD.
10. Rename DWORD to AllowCortana.
11. Reboot the system.

Sofia Martine is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cyber security.She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs and websites.

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