"Cortana, you're fired!"

[Alaric]

You get a grace period before it gets antsy about activation. Then you lose stuff like choosing your desktop background and a permanent watermark in the bottom right corner. No major detriments. W10 works, it's fairly fast, etc.. It does (mostly) what it's supposed to. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot Pole, but if it works for a 6 foot Ukrainian, more power to you. LOL

 

[Kenrou]

As Alaric says, Win10 functions MOSTLY as its supposed to, major problems with it were always Privacy and the crashes from updates. I used it for a while (properly locked down), but still won't trade it for Win8.1 which i consider to be much more stable.

 

[wagex]

As Alaric says, Win10 functions MOSTLY as its supposed to, major problems with it were always Privacy and the crashes from updates. I used it for a while (properly locked down), but still won't trade it for Win8.1 which i consider to be much more stable.

this is just my case, but i operate on it over 50 hours a week at work since release and i haven't had any kind of stability issues in that time. I also run it on 3 machines at home. perhaps I'm just a lucky one.

 

[Kenrou]

this is just my case, but i operate on it over 50 hours a week at work since release and i haven't had any kind of stability issues in that time. I also run it on 3 machines at home. perhaps I'm just a lucky one.

Or i'm the unlucky one, i installed it on 4 computers and 2 of them gave me problems with updates on the 1st boot (one had to re-install, the other managed to repair). The other 2 i just don't install updates and it runs as well as can be hoped. In comparison i can honestly say i haven't had a single issue with Win8.1 (not Win8) on dozens of installs and hour long update sessions over the past ~4years. Not to mention it's a lot easier to deal with Privacy and i'm not really missing out on anything important so far... So i'm biased

 

[Alaric]

I'm fond of proclaiming about how overkill most computers are, and an octo FX with 8 GB of RAM would cover 100% of probably 90% of the average consumer's needs, and W10 fits in there. Mostly. And there are enough ways around (most of) the annoyances, it could be made to satisfy almost everyone. Almost. If you want to put more effort in to it than it's worth.

Although it is entertaining to look back over the long list of things M$ said "That's the way it is-deal with it" and compare that to the changes M$ has made since release to try to accommodate that long list of responses like "Won't use it like that-deal with it". LOL

i'm not really missing out on anything important so far... So i'm biased

See, that's the thing. Nobody needed Windows 10. It doesn't do anything anyone really wants better than 7/8/8.1 except DX12, which has proven to be of questionable value to 99% of users. The only improvements made by W10 was to the M$ revenue stream.

 

[wagex]

just a heads up if you are using windows 8.1 or windows 7 that are fully updated they are phoning home same as windows 10, also for anyone who missed the info in the other thread a device as simple as a pi-hole blocks all their telemetry traffic on your entire network, also blocks all ads and malware websites (that are known of course).
i run it in a virtual machine running debian on my server it uses like 200mb of ram. https://pi-hole.net/ simple elegant and can be setup on a ras pi if you dont want to mess with virtual machines. This way you arent modifying anything in windows and have to worry about it breaking anything.

Also as far as revenue streams, I havent paid a dime for windows 10 YET still running on free licenses on all my machines.

going to leave this here. http://www.digitaljournal.com/techn...g-on-windows-7-and-8-users-too/article/442519

 

[Kenrou]

Windows 7 and 8/8.1 have always had some Telemetry, but is MUCH less then Win10, therefore much easier to get around (and as far as i noticed updates don't reset telemetry settings like Win10). There are a few set-and-forget programs you can use like Spybot Anti-Beacon or you can simply uninstall certain updates.

 

[wagex]

Windows 7 and 8/8.1 have always had some Telemetry, but is WAS MUCH less then Win10, therefore much easier to get around (and as far as i noticed updates don't reset telemetry settings like Win10). There are a few set-and-forget programs you can use like Spybot Anti-Beacon or you can simply uninstall certain updates.

 

[Kenrou]

No No, it STILL IS MUCH LESS then Win10 Grab a blocker program and check how many entries it does in Win10 compared to Win8.1, you will be surprised by the difference...

 

[wagex]

No No, it STILL IS MUCH LESS then Win10 Grab a blocker program and check how many entries it does in Win10 compared to Win8.1, you will be surprised by the difference...

i don't have to worry about using third party software to alter my operating system causing stuff to break, as mentioned i block all telemetry on a network level, winderps is none the wiser and keeps trucking along. literallly takes one line of command to install, then change your dns server on your router wham bam thank you ma'am.

a $35 pi, is nothing compared to the premium people pay for fancy motherboards and stuff that dont help 24/7 clocks, or way overpowered psu's, or the likes.

 

[Kenrou]

Yes, i completely agree with you that is faster, but you're still left with processes running in the background now literally just wasting memory and CPU time. Would be better to just disable the whole thing no ? There is also the Hosts file trick which does basically the same thing, but again leaves processes running in the background.

Besides, i have been using 3rd party since they came out and they never gave me issues, it's usually Windows giving me the headaches

 

[wagex]

Yes, i completely agree with you that is faster, but you're still left with processes running in the background now literally just wasting memory and CPU time. Would be better to just disable the whole thing no ? There is also the Hosts file trick which does basically the same thing, but again leaves processes running in the background.

Besides, i have been using 3rd party since they came out and they never gave me issues, it's usually Windows giving me the headaches there seems to be a link between people modifying windows and windows giving them headaches

what's a few mb of ram lol its 2018 we have 16gb as a norm, somehow windows 10 still manages to perform as good or better than older operating systems despite all these extra processes crippling your resources.

btw if you ever messed with multiple desktops features in linux and liked it, windows 10 has that too lol.

 

[Kenrou]

As good as in certain cases, i have yet to encounter "better" in my daily usage But this thread is for everyone, tweaker or average Joe (which usually has crappier hardware), so the more options we put up here the better. VPN is good but if we can do the same job AND streamline Windows in the process with one 3rd party without giving them issues/headaches so much the better no ?

 

[wagex]

just because you have yet to encounter it better in your daily usage doesn't refute the many tests and benchmarks comparing it to older operating systems. I don't think the seat of your pants benchmark qualifies as valuable data.

hmm, i haven't seen the vpn option mentioned yet, what one is that?

theres a super simple option that does involve any kind of networking expertise or any third party software, simply copying this into your host file will drop all telemetry traffic before it ever even hits your network (you can google for a more up to date or comprehensive list but this should cover everything)

Spoiler

0.0.0.0 vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net
0.0.0.0 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 bing.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
0.0.0.0 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 survey.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.live.com
0.0.0.0 watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 compatexchange.cloudapp.net
0.0.0.0 cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
0.0.0.0 a-0001.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 corp.sts.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 pre.footprintpredict.com
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 feedback.windows.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.search.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 public-family.api.account.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 c.msn.com
0.0.0.0 g.msn.com
0.0.0.0 h1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 msedge.net
0.0.0.0 rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 adnexus.net
0.0.0.0 ac3.msn.com
0.0.0.0 c.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 m.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 sO.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ec.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 flex.msn.com
0.0.0.0 rad.live.com
0.0.0.0 ui.skype.com
0.0.0.0 msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0 a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 b.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 m.hotmail.com
0.0.0.0 ads1.msads.net
0.0.0.0 a.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msn.com
0.0.0.0 apps.skype.com
0.0.0.0 b.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 view.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 preview.msn.com
0.0.0.0 aidps.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 static.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 b.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 db3aqu.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 secure.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 www.msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0 live.rads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 bs.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 pricelist.skype.com
0.0.0.0 a-0002.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0003.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0004.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0005.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0006.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0007.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0008.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 a-0009.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
0.0.0.0 cds26.ams9.msecn.net
0.0.0.0 lb1.www.ms.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 az361816.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 az512334.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 msntest.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 secure.flashtalking.com
0.0.0.0 s.gateway.messenger.live.com
0.0.0.0 schemas.microsoft.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 settings-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 msnbot-65-55-108-23.search.msn.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.choice.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.telemetry.appex.bing.net
0.0.0.0 www.telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.bing.com
0.0.0.0 www.telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
0.0.0.0 www.settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.survey.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.watson.live.com
0.0.0.0 www.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.compatexchange.cloudapp.net
0.0.0.0 www.cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0001.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 www.sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 www.fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 www.diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.corp.sts.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.pre.footprintpredict.com
0.0.0.0 www.i1.services.social.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.feedback.windows.com
0.0.0.0 www.feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
0.0.0.0 www.feedback.search.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.public-family.api.account.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 www.c.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.g.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.h1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.ads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.adnexus.net
0.0.0.0 www.ac3.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.c.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.m.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 www.sO.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 www.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.ec.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.flex.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.rad.live.com
0.0.0.0 www.ui.skype.com
0.0.0.0 www.msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0 www.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.b.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.cdn.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.m.hotmail.com
0.0.0.0 www.ads1.msads.net
0.0.0.0 www.a.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.a.ads2.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.apps.skype.com
0.0.0.0 www.b.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.view.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.preview.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.aidps.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.static.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0 www.a.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 www.b.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0 www.db3aqu.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0 www.secure.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0 www.www.msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0 www.live.rads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.ad.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 www.bs.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 www.pricelist.skype.com
0.0.0.0 www.a-0002.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0003.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0004.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0005.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0006.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0007.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0008.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.a-0009.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 www.aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
0.0.0.0 www.cds26.ams9.msecn.net
0.0.0.0 www.lb1.www.ms.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 www.az361816.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 www.az512334.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0 www.msntest.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0 www.secure.flashtalking.com
0.0.0.0 www.s.gateway.messenger.live.com
0.0.0.0 www.schemas.microsoft.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 www.settings-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 www.msnbot-65-55-108-23.search.msn.com
0.0.0.0 www.vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 www.vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net

 

[Kenrou]

I mentioned the Hosts file 4 posts ago which does basically the same as your solution (my bad thought it was some sort of VPN). 10s edit time with copy/paste and you're sorted but like i said above you will still have services running and collecting info even if they don't get to transmit it back. ShutUp10 for example stops/disables the services AND uses Hosts. I think Spybot only uses Hosts but could be wrong, they changed the program a quite bit since i last checked.

 

[wagex]

I mentioned the Hosts file 4 posts ago which does basically the same as your solution (my bad thought it was some sort of VPN). 10s edit time with copy/paste and you're sorted but like i said above you will still have services running and collecting info even if they don't get to transmit it back. ShutUp10 for example stops/disables the services AND uses Hosts. I think Spybot only uses Hosts but could be wrong, they changed the program a quite bit since i last checked.

problem with those programs.... they are intrusive and break things. You can blame windows but it seems the people who have the stability issues also seem to be the ones running all kinds of modifications to the OS that are breaking things, i manage an office of 10 PC's all running windows 10 except 2 they are running 7 still for software compatibility. But of that sample of 8 pc's my personal 4 pc's running 10 (plus 2 virtual machines), id say that's a pretty decent sample size to never have a single crash or update issue, but like i said maybe im just lucky and that's just anecdotal evidence.

And yes its basically the same thing as what i posted before except the other option does it on every device on the network and auto updates lists daily, no need to configure anything on each individual pc. The average joe can literally set that up in 10 minutes with all the various guides there are out there.

going on a couple years of windows collecting data and having no where to send it its not as though my hard drive is piled up with logs and stuff, not to mention the benchmarks conducted that i referred to earlier are done without disabling all the performance robbing telemetry systems, the systems are installed, updated, then benchmarked. So idk what is the downside to them being there if they cant do anything and aren't slowing me down.

 

[Kenrou]

I never said there was a downside, simply the program I mentioned does the job better IN MY OPINION. You get control over your system (not just telemetry but also updates and other system settings) with one click and you can then forget about it just like yours *shrug* never broke anything in either my system or of any people I mentioned it to (as far as they told me).

Point being - instead of standing around bickering like old women about what's best let's simply add yours to the OP's list on the first page and be glad we MAY have helped someone with their rig [emoji6]

 

[wagex]

I never said there was a downside, simply the program I mentioned does the job better IN MY OPINION. You get control over your system (not just telemetry but also updates and other system settings) with one click and you can then forget about it just like yours *shrug* never broke anything in either my system or of any people I mentioned it to (as far as they told me).

Point being - instead of standing around bickering like old women about what's best let's simply add yours to the OP's list on the first page and be glad we MAY have helped someone with their rig [emoji6]

of the dozen machines i've been managing never had single update issue, of the many updates received, and according to you, you are at a 100% crash rate, i think there seems to be a correlation.

sure we can stop bickering but suggesting people use tools that the only people crashing windows are using is kind of not helping the people we are trying to help.

 

[Kenrou]

You took the wrong conclusions from everything i said so far - i said i tried Win10 and 2 out of 4 systems gave me problems before i installed anything, they were just from updating alone (one had to re-install, the other managed to repair). The other 2 that didn't give me problems were the ones that i locked down (installed 3rd party to block telemetry and updates). Win8.1 never game me problems locked down or from normal use, that's why i said i'm biased.

The programs i suggested have been tried by me and by other members in this forum as well and never heard back issues with them, so i'll stick to "they work"

 

[wagex]

You took the wrong conclusions from everything i said so far - i said i tried Win10 and 2 out of 4 systems gave me problems before i installed anything, they were just from updating alone (one had to re-install, the other managed to repair). The other 2 that didn't give me problems were the ones that i locked down (installed 3rd party to block telemetry and updates). Win8.1 never game me problems locked down or from normal use, that's why i said i'm biased.

The programs i suggested have been tried by me and by other members in this forum as well and never heard back issues with them, so i'll stick to "they work"

a lot less chance of updates failing if the operating system isnt compromised. just saying.