If anyone uses Microsoft Windows Bob 10 , they might find this guide useful: Manage connections from Windows operating system components to Microsoft services It covers the official s*** that tries to phone home to provide "enhanced services" half of which you may have no use for.

Edited August 30, 20169 yr by xpclient

Nice link - thanks.

>"enhanced services" half of which you may have no use for.

Half?  Does Microsoft have ANYTHING useful to offer?  I think the only thing, now that the Anniversary Update dust has mostly settled here, is that I let Windows Defender contact Microsoft for definitions updates.  I guess I do occasionally check for Win 10 Windows Updates, but not often.  I tried setting up a VM that would support Apps, but I found running Windows with UAC off unacceptable.

Some things I've found useful in the "Windows, STFU" arena:

• O&O ShutUp10
• Sphinx Windows 10 Firewall Control (version 8, now available as a beta, really rocks)
• Dual DHCP DNS Server (open source)
• My own Windows 10 ReTweaker script

-Noel

Edited September 23, 20169 yr by NoelC

sphinx firewall control, is good (tho i use older version)
but only Pro version allows blocking of system processes, while free one passes them through

@NoelC the link in your post above to your own tweaking tool goes to the Dual DHCP DNS Server instead of your tool

Oops - thanks for letting me know.  I've just corrected it.

-Noel

May I also suggest Group Policy edits that can also rein in Telemetry?

Disclaimer: Following my advice will render Feedback Hub unusable, and can be used even with Home which is why I'll show both methods for the same switch.

If you are a Windows Insider, please do not follow through. If Insiders wish to stem Telemetry, you should disenroll from the Insider program first.

Registry method: All Windows types

Group Policy Method: Professional/Enterprise, Education & Ultimate

0 - Nothing

1 - Basic

2 - Enhanced

3 - Full (Insiders must select this option to contribute feedback or Feedback Hub will tell you to leave.)

Edited July 23, 20179 yr by sonikdart1990
Forgot to define parameters

Configuring overt settings is fun, but it needs more to be completely shut up online.

I've gotten the OS quiet, long-term, but a few applications - e.g., Visual Studio - do try to send telemetry regardless.  For that I have DNS blacklists and the firewall in place.

-Noel

1 hour ago, NoelC said:

Configuring overt settings is fun, but it needs more to be completely shut up online.

I've gotten the OS quiet, long-term, but a few applications - e.g., Visual Studio - do try to send telemetry regardless.  For that I have DNS blacklists and the firewall in place.

-Noel

You have a point. Telemetry is often on a per app basis, although I feel the OS collects the most data given it lords over every app anyway.