Privacy concerns have grown significantly as more personal data is shared and stored online. For advanced Windows 10 users, enhancing privacy settings is crucial to maintaining control over personal information. Here are ten expert recommendations to bolster privacy on your Windows 10 system.
1. How to Manage Privacy Settings in Windows 10?
Access the Settings menu, navigate to ‘Privacy’, and review each section. Start by disabling unnecessary permissions under ‘General’, such as allowing apps to use your advertising ID. In the ‘Location’ section, ensure it’s turned off if not needed, or manage location access for specific apps. Regularly audit and update these settings to keep up with changes or new applications.
2. How to Limit App Access to Your Data?
Under the ‘Privacy’ settings, go to ‘App Permissions’. Review each category like Camera, Microphone, and Contacts. Disable access for apps that do not require these permissions to function. This reduces the risk of apps accessing sensitive data without explicit consent.
3. What is Telemetry and How to Limit It?
Windows 10 collects diagnostic data, known as telemetry, to improve user experience. Navigate to the ‘Diagnostics & feedback’ section in Privacy settings. Set the data collection level to ‘Basic’ to limit the amount of information sent to Microsoft while still receiving necessary updates.
4. How to Use Glary Utilities for Privacy Protection?
Glary Utilities offers a Privacy & Security module perfect for advanced users. Utilize the Tracks Eraser feature to remove traces of internet activities, and use the File Shredder to securely delete sensitive files, ensuring they cannot be recovered.
5. How to Use a Local Account Instead of a Microsoft Account?
Switch to a local account to prevent Microsoft from accessing certain personal data. Go to ‘Accounts’ in the Settings menu, select ‘Your info’, and click ‘Sign in with a local account instead’. This change enhances privacy by reducing data sync with Microsoft services.
6. How to Disable Cortana for Privacy?
Cortana can collect personal data to provide personalized assistance. To disable it, open the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named ‘AllowCortana’ and set it to 0. This will effectively disable Cortana.
7. How to Control Network Discovery and File Sharing?
Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings. Turn off network discovery and file and printer sharing if they are not needed. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your files over the network.
8. How to Encrypt Your Sensitive Files?
BitLocker is an integrated feature that encrypts your drives, shielding data from unauthorized access. Enable BitLocker by right-clicking your drive in File Explorer and selecting ‘Turn on BitLocker’. Follow the prompts to set up full-disk encryption.
9. How to Block Third-Party Cookies and Trackers on Your Browser?
For Edge users, access the settings and choose ‘Privacy, search, and services’. Set the tracking prevention level to ‘Strict’ to block the majority of trackers. For other browsers, utilize extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger for enhanced blocking capabilities.
10. How to Regularly Update and Monitor Your System Security?
Ensure your system is up-to-date by checking Windows Update regularly. Employ Windows Defender for real-time protection and use Glary Utilities to run security scans to identify vulnerabilities. Advanced users can further configure Windows Firewall settings to monitor and block suspicious activities.
By implementing these advanced privacy enhancements, you can significantly improve the security of your Windows 10 system. These steps ensure your personal information remains under your control, reducing potential privacy risks. Regular maintenance and vigilance are key to a secure computing environment.