Understanding the privacy controls of your operating system is now a vital part of the setup process. For those using Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft provides a detailed, feature-specific privacy statement. This guide serves as your complete resource for understanding that statement, focusing on the key features that interact with Microsoft during installation and normal operation. We'll explore what data is collected, why it's collected, and, most importantly, how you can manage or opt out of it.
: This dedicated link automatically dynamically routes the user's browser or setup client to the live, multi-language repository hosted on the Microsoft Windows Privacy Center. Understanding the privacy controls of your operating system
Microsoft’s official privacy statement for these operating systems is archived at the following link: We'll explore what data is collected, why it's
For enterprise environments deploying Windows 8.1 Enterprise or Windows Server 2012 R2, the key privacy features listed above can be controlled via Group Policy. The privacy statement link above also references the "Configure Telemetry" policy. The privacy statement link above also references the
The outlines exactly how Microsoft collects, processes, and protects your data during the initial deployment phase. When administrators setup these operating systems using standard installation keys or volume licensing, background installation features establish immediate connections to the internet. Understanding these settings is crucial for maintaining corporate compliance and data confidentiality.
During the initial installation of Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2, the Setup program sends basic information to Microsoft, including: