Microsoft is collecting data to improve its service, but many users have not consented to it. The contents of every keystroke are being sent through to Redmond servers due to a keylogger that was enabled by default in Windows 10.
It’s not the first time and Microsoft has to consider the privacy concerns. Many users have requested a switch to turn off all data and telemetry collection. The fact is Windows has had telemetry since its first editions. It helps Microsoft know what features to focus on and be aware of those not being used. All feedback from the Windows Insiders should help the company find a resolution with this concern.
Microsoft improves its privacy policy transparency
One of the first news about improvements to the privacy settings in the forthcoming Update is giving users a clear option.
Microsoft did not have an actual keylogger, instead, the Windows diagnostic service was used to improve keyboard prediction service and inking recognition for future updates. The lack of transparency and the absence of an option to control exactly how their data was used, made users complain about this feature.
A new feature is added to the Windows 10 April Update, letting you disable what before was considered its built-in keylogger. Microsoft also added a new feature that lets you see what data is being backed up on your device.
How to disable Windows 10’s built-in keylogger
On the current version of Windows 10 you would have the following option to disable Microsoft built-in keylogger:
- Go to Start, then select Settings > Privacy > Speech, inking, & typing.
- Select Turn off speech services and typing suggestions. This clears the data on your device and turns off cloud-based speech recognition. It also resets the local user dictionary used to improve your typing and inking.
In the forthcoming Update the Windows 10 OS the option will be under Improve Inking and typing recognition and you can easily find it in similar steps:
- Settings
- Select Privacy> Diagnostics and Feedback
- Turn off the option Improve Inking and typing recognition
Note: You can still turn off more of Microsoft’s speech and typing telemetry by navigating to Privacy > Speech, inking and typing and disabling speech services and typing suggestions.
Regarding your privacy, if you want to stop other programs and apps collecting data from you, check out the following solutions:
Have you installed the Windows 10 April Update on your computer? Did you notice anything unusual regarding its keylogger? Let us know in the comments below.
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