The privacy issue is annoying but apple and google do the same, its all around us, its one of those things I will look into with more detail prior to shifting my other machines to win10. I will decide if its worth blocking via the firewall or not the sharing processes.
Basically you want to avoid all "modern" apps, block search from internet access and assess what other services ask for internet use as well. Obviously also disabling all the call home options as much as possible, many which I suspect will be configured in the task scheduler.
according to the ars technica article, turning the options off doesn't stop it.
That is one of the Key issues. You have NO control at all!
MS just give you some nice sliders to play with to make you feel 'all better'
They may give you some nice flashing lights later to show you all your controls are 'working'.
Not only is the 'Data' collection hardcoded in, but you don't know what changes can/will be made in the future. (All with your permission, of course (EULA), so no issues there.)
This means that all attempts to block things, now or later, are moot.
N.B. You cannot block addresses via ...etc/Hosts changes or anything so simple as there are some addresses that are NOT looked up but built in.
(All which can be changed whenever MS sees fit, so working blocks today may not work tomorrow. )
Idea for a possible future scenario based on a surge in 'Data' being blocked or attempts to block:The obvious thing for MS to do is use 'common' ports and Protocols mixed with 'Complex Port knocking' to signal changes of address and/or port and/or protocol.
Any problems would be 'fixed' by a Dummy Security Update, which cannot be blocked as Win10 runs now, and would be sent if certain 'Data' was not received by MS.
The Dummy Update would change the 'Port Knocking Sequences' and Addresses/Port/Protocols used.
i.e. your blocking strategy worked, so change the rules of the game.
Repeated failures to receive data would flag up a lack of Compliance with the EULA, which could allow more draconian actions by MS.
[Apologies, I know I am flogging this to death ..... but someone has to
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