Using scripts to modify Windows behavior is always a delicate process, mainly due to the lack of information about their commands. But the Privacy is Sexy portal solves that detail by offering hundreds of scripts that improve the privacy profile in Windows and block data collection, as well as showing each of the commands in its interface, with total transparency.
The folks at Ars Technica published an article exploring the calamitous state of Windows 11 when installed with its default configuration. From a certain point of view, it's the same thing we've been claiming for the last two years: The concept of a 'clean install' is dead, and the user faces the obligation to clean all their bloatware, block telemetry, improve privacy, and prevent Redmond's mothership from reinstalling junk via Windows Update.
'Optimize Windows' and 'Clean Windows' are not just fanciful phrases to satisfy an algorithm: They are real needs. Our coverage on this matter has been quite extensive (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), but the search for new tools never ends. With that in mind, we came across Privacy is Sexy, a portal that offers more than 600 scripts to clean Windows, but includes something more: The exact list of commands each one executes.
Privacy is Sexy: More than 600 Scripts to Optimize Windows
The scripts are divided into nine general categories: Privacy Cleanup, Disable OS Data Collection, Configure Programs, Security Improvements, Privacy Over Security, UI for Privacy, Disable OS Services, Remove Bloatware, and Advanced Settings.
Where do we start? Privacy Cleanup includes scripts to clean histories of applications and browsers, purge logs and caches, delete shadow copy backups and files belonging to previous Windows installations. On the other hand, Disable OS Data Collection targets everything that is telemetry and data collection, synchronization, geolocation, biometrics, advertising, marketing, feedback, and so on.
I admit that Privacy is Sexy demands a bit of time to study its options, but the most important thing appears on the right side of the interface: When we choose a script, all its content is exposed. The most common thing is to find a combination of Registry strings with PowerShell commands, and if we don't like something, we can modify/delete that line, or use the Revert option. To obtain the scripts, Privacy is Sexy allows us to send a copy to the clipboard, or download them as a .bat file (which must be executed with elevated privileges).
In summary, Privacy is Sexy is far from being a resource for beginners, but that doesn't take away its usefulness. On the contrary, we really appreciate the idea of a script hub on the Web, and its transparency is excellent, something we don't see in other maintenance apps.
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