Review
The tracking and telemetry settings in Windows 10 have triggered a long-debated controversy related to privacy violation, which made security-concerned users stay pat with earlier iterations of the operating system. Even so, Microsoft has rolled out a few updates for Windows 7 and 8 in the fall of 2015 that include data collection and behaviour tracking features, all under the same pretext: to enhance the user experience. Some of the updates in question are optional, but some are "recommended", which means they are installed if Windows Updates is set to "Automatic". Microsoft added many new "diagnostic" features from Windows 10 to older versions of the OS via Windows Update. These services are used by Microsoft to collect usage data to provide a better service. However, collecting and sharing user data with one of the world’s leading technology companies puts user privacy at risk. There are services, which can record user keyboard input, user speech and any other actions.
Similar to its Windows 10-dedicated counterpart (DoNotSpy10), DoNotSpy78 empowers the user to protect and manage its privacy on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. The application provides one-click access to privacy and security settings that otherwise are either inaccessible or difficult to modify. DoNotSpy78 provides the user with the opportunity to manage the critical features of Windows efficiently. While many of the settings represent what the user can configure using the Settings and various other apps, there are also tweaks that are not easily accessible through the user interface. The purpose of DoNotSpy78 is to help users disable certain functions in Windows that might affect privacy protection, either by storing data they do not want to be revealed or by sharing information with Microsoft’s servers.
Hovering the mouse over each option allows a user to read about the setting and its effects, which comes quite in handy for anyone, since applying specific settings substantially modifies the OS. The most important parameters are displayed in orange or red, namely disabling biometrics, location, the steps recorder, and Windows Defender. DoNotSpy78 can also deactivate error and infection reporting, and other data collecting and sharing options, program usage tracking, sensors, telemetry, Windows Registration requests, and the list does not end here.
DoNotSpy78 can also configure Internet Explorer to send the "Do Not Track" header to all the websites user visit or allow a user to cancel its participation in the Help Experience Improvement Program. DoNotSpy78 is very similar to DoNotSpy10, aiming to grant full control over privacy-related settings in Windows. It is easy to use, does not require a system reboot, and comprises enough functions to help those who installed those controversial updates in the fall of 2015.
Spoiler: Key features:
Spoiler: CHANGELOG:
System requirements:
OS: Microsoft Windows® 7, Windows® 8, and Windows® 8.1;
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
Install notes:
1. Kindly read "Readme.txt" file given in download zip file;
2. Enjoy!
Screenshots:
