Windows 10 has evolved a lot in recent years, but there are users out there who still demand greater precision in matters of privacy, and Redmond doesn't give many answers, to say the least. That vacuum forces us to adopt external tools to improve privacy in Windows 10, and one of the most interesting options is Windows Privacy Dashboard.
Doubts about how to have privacy in Windows 10 never fully disappeared. Even with an entire section inside the settings menu, the operating system keeps the average user in relative darkness. The switches that supposedly disable functions don't always do their job, and there are additional elements in the background that we cannot modify directly.
Windows 10 turned six years old yesterday. Does Microsoft still need all that telemetry? After the fiasco of the Windows 11 requirements, it doesn't seem like they're using it much. So, to disable it once and for all, the path is the same as always: don't rely on Redmond and do it ourselves. A solution? Windows Privacy Dashboard.
How to Have Privacy in Windows 10 with Windows Privacy Dashboard
Windows Privacy Dashboard is divided into three sections: Privacy Control, special firewall rules, and uninstallation of built-in applications. Under privacy control you'll find everything you already imagined, from "experience programs" and Cortana to advertising identifiers and performance logs.
The custom firewall rules block aspects like telemetry and Microsoft apps (OneDrive, Skype, etc.). Another possibility is to disable Windows Update with a specific rule if you wish, but you must be careful here. Finally, the built-in app uninstaller reduces the process to a couple of clicks. It also attacks the so-called "hidden applications" that Microsoft doesn't fully report.
Windows Privacy Dashboard is completely portable, and presents clean results under VirusTotal. The latest rules package was updated in May 2021, and it works perfectly with the most recent builds of the operating system. The only technical detail is that it requires .NET Framework 4.5. Why? Because some of its parameters also apply to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Download a copy and give it a try.
Official website and download: Click here
