Windows 10 contains all the features you need to ensure your privacy. There are switches and settings to reduce the information shared and it is important that you check these even if you don’t change any.
You need to be aware of what is shared, who with and why.
Privacy settings
Let’s start off by looking at some general settings that can be found in Windows 10.
Open the Settings app
Hold down the Windows key and press I to open the Settings app. There is a whole section dedicated to Privacy. Click it.
Review app permissions, block bad apps
There are many categories in the Privacy section of Windows Settings and there is a long list on the left hand side. Within each category are many settings on the right. They can be organised into general settings and app permissions.
Let’s look at app permissions, using the Microphone as an example.
Many of the other categories are similar and they mostly have the same features, so having explored one, you can apply the same knowledge to the others.
Block all access - lock down your PC
Select Microphone on the left. On the right are the privacy settings for the microphone. There is a master switch at the top that enables you to block all access to the microphone for all apps. You could click the switch to off, but there is a better option.
Blocking access to all apps is possible, but not helpful. You might need to use the microphone with certain apps, such as Skype for voice video calling over the internet, speaking to Cortana, and so on. If all apps are blocked then it won’t work.
For this reason it is best to set the switch at the top to On and to use the individual app switches below: Choose apps that can use your microphone.
Scroll down and look at all the apps that can access the microphone.
If there is an app you don’t think needs access, click the switch to Off.
The apps on your computer are unique to you, so it is not possible to provide a list of which apps to allow and which to block. You must use your own judgement.
Repeat for each privacy section
Select Camera, Location, Notifications, Contacts, Calendar, Email, Messaging and the others. Use the On/Off switch at the top to enable or disable the feature. On is best because some apps need the feature, but then look at the list of apps below and use the individual on/off switch to allow or block any you judge don’t need access.
What you are basically looking for are rogue apps that have permission to access things they don’t need. For example, an app that has access to your contacts could share them with unknown people on the internet. Do you trust the app not to?
Return often
Whenever you install a new app from the Windows Store, return to these privacy settings and see what it can access.
If you block an app and the app won’t work, return here and unblock it.
Next: How the General privacy settings affect you
Previous: Introduction to Windows 10 privacy settings
Contents: Windows 10 Security Guide
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