Microsoft regularly enhances protection strategies for its operating systems and the same goes for policies of how to improve privacy on Windows 10. As we know that Windows 10 collects a large amount of private information, so it becomes all a lot important to take care of our private data.
For a more protected experience of Windows 10, here are some privacy-related settings, one can change and have a less intrusive experience. This article shows how you can improve privacy on Windows 10.
Also Read: How to Reset Your Forgotten Windows 10 Password
How to Improve Privacy on Windows 10
Although the transparency policy of Microsoft in regards to privacy has taken the lead, there is still some scope of improvement, which can be managed on an individual basis. Some such techniques include:
1. Turning off Your Location
An individual himself allows third-party apps and Microsoft to have access to their location as per the convenience by turning the location on. Therefore, such apps, for example, Maps keeps the information of your current location saved for 24 hours long.
In order to keep yourself isolated and maintain your privacy, one must turn their location off when it’s no longer of their personal use.
All you need to do is go to the SETTINGS then PRIVACY and then LOCATION. The next you need to do is press the location tab OFF which will withdraw all access from the other third-party apps and Microsoft.
Also Read: How to Fix High CPU Usage after Windows 10 Update
2. Stop Syncing
One can easily observe the amount of syncing going around in Microsoft. For e.g., If you have your Microsoft account in device A and wants to open the same account in device B as well, then the Microsoft account by default will sync your password and other information.
By turning this by-default syncing off, every time you log in to your Microsoft account, you need to enter your password manually. This ensures that only you can have access to your account via your device whenever you want.
Here you need to do is go to SETTINGS then ACCOUNTS then SYNC YOUR SETTINGS. You can turn OFF syncing all at once.
3. Using a Local Account
When you off syncing with your account, every time you need to enter a password to log in to your Microsoft account. So better to create a local account for your device. Through which you will be saved from Microsoft gathering your personal information and saving it.
Here, you need to visit SETTINGS then ACCOUNT, and then on clicking on YOUR INFO, choose SIGN IN WITH A LOCAL ACCOUNT instead to create your local account.
4. Locking Down Your Lock Screen
The first thing is the lock screen that anyone would see when they on your device. And there might some such information which you don’t want the other person to have access to.
So, it will be a better idea to lock your lock screen. Plus, make sure that all your notifications are off in order to keep a double check on your privacy.
All one has to do is to visit SETTINGS, then SYSTEM, then NOTIFICATIONS AND ACTIONS, and OFF the toggle of SHOW NOTIFICATIONS ON THE LOCK SCREEN.
5. Turning off the Advertising ID or Ad Tracking
Every Microsoft account provides you with personalized advertising ID after collecting your search information and so on. These ads will be in seen in apps or operating system when you once login into your Microsoft account in WINDOWS 10.
You can even prevent them from having your information by visiting Settings then privacy then general then turning OFF toggle of LET APPS USE ADVERTISING ID.
Turning off the Timeline
Windows 10 has a feature called a timeline. By timeline, you can operate both the pages you have opened. Say, for instance, one from device A and other from device B through a single device at a particular time. To allow this feature, Window collects all your information.
So to improve the privacy turning this timeline feature off will give you deep relief. Go to SETTINGS then PRIVACY and then turn OFF ACTIVITY HISTORY; you are done now. You can even get rid of the previous activity by clearing Activity history.
6. Curb Cortana
Turning off the CORTANA feature by switching OFF the TALK TO CORTANA toggle by visiting SETTINGS then CORTANA and then TALK TO CORTANA will allow you to safeguard your personal information when the device is off.
You also have a feature to limit the access of Cortana to some information including calendar, etc. and enjoy simple questioning to the extent you want.
Some more such control measure to improve privacy on Windows 10 includes the following steps given below:
- Changing the app permissions
- Controlling and deleting diagnostic data
- Using the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard
- Getting granular in setting App
Conclusion
These and many such measures can be taken to improve the privacy on Windows 10. Hence, it will help you to protect your personal information by keeping a check on it.
This will help you to have secure and private surfing and minimize third-party access to your information.
