As I said last time there are many things about Windows 10 that I like and some I do not care for. Today, I am going to start with a couple of the features in W10 you may not appreciate and discuss how to change them.
When you first set up Windows 10 you are requested to link your Microsoft account username and password. If you do not have a MS account they have an easy link to set a new one.
If you link your account there are extra features you get. Some of them include backing up your browser history (new Edge browser,) passwords, favorites, etc. You will also be able to purchase items from the MS Store, have easier access to your account from other computers and backup your themes. All of which is fine and very harmless.
However, the thing that bothers me is that MS may also have access to other information from your computer. Would they be able to track your bank account number, usernames and passwords from that or other accounts? I am sure they would say, “Heck, NO!” But I have always held a theory that a company’s security is as strong as their most unhappy employee…who may take revenge on the company’s customers.
So, if you wish, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent this possibility. The first is do not sign up with a linked account. When you install W10 you get a screen suggesting you log in with a MS linked account. Here you could use an Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com or most any other account you have linked to Microsoft. However, you may not want to do this. So if you notice at the bottom left of the sign up screen there is a possibly hard to see link that states “Don’t have an account.” Use that link and create what is called a “Local Account.” You then create your own Username and Password and you are done.
This will block the following settings automatically. However, if you already set up W10 with a linked account, you will need to manually change these settings. Do not fret, it is a relatively easy process.
While in W10 hover your mouse in the lower right corner, to the left of the time, over the small boxed icon with lines on it. It is your W10 notification link. Click it once and then click on “All settings.” Now click the area that reads “Accounts | Your account, sync settings, work, other users.” In the new window click on the left at “Sync your settings” and click the switch under “Sync settings.” This will shut all below that to the off position and you have stopped the syncing we discussed above. Since I am hyper I would first choose to cut off each one individually and then finally the main one at the top. But I do not believe that is necessary unless you wear an aluminum foil hat like me.
More W10 next week.
