What is Diagnostics Tracking Service which was installed from Windows Updates?

Anonymous
2015-05-02T00:06:17+00:00

Original title: Microsoft is installing SPYWARE thru Windows Updates?

Windows updates installed something called "Diagnostics Tracking Service" in my Windows 8.1 Pro.

Take a look at THIS website.

http://thepcwhisperer.blogspot.in/2014/10/microsofts-windows-10-preview-has-built.html

It says what this service does in Windows 10 TP.

Data We Collect

When you acquire, install and use the Program, Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage. For example, when you:

  • install the Program, we may collect information about your device and applications and use it for purposes such as determining or improving compatibility,
  • use voice input features like speech-to-text, we may collect voice information and use it for purposes such as improving speech processing,
  • open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes and use it for purposes such as improving performance, or
  • enter text, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving auto complete and spell check features.

While this might make some sense in a TP (although I consider collecting so much personal information as email addresses and keystrokes to be extreme), it makes no sense in a released Windows version.

It's not like I have downloaded it myself from their website as a loving gesture and I want to share whatever I do in my personal life with Microsoft. They slipped it in as an "update" to Windows 8.1

This is definitely spyware behavior in some sense. It's collecting too much personal data.

I don't want to share ANYTHING with Microsoft. I have NOT turned on the customer improvement program thing in Windows.

WHY IS MICROSOFT DOING THIS?

WHICH KB DO I NEED TO UNINSTALL AND BLOCK IN ORDER TO GET RID OF THIS?

WHY IS MY ANTIVIRUS NOT REMOVING THIS? HAS MS PAID THE ANTIVIRUS VENDORS?

SHOULD I DISABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATES? I'M LOSING TRUST ON MICROSOFT. THEY CAN INSTALL SPYWARE ANY MOMENT, I CANNOT INDIVIDUALLY CHECK THE KB ARTICLE ON EVERY UPDATE JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'LL SEND PERSONAL INFORMATION BACK TO MS.

I'm really upset about this. :(

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

51 answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-15T14:33:52+00:00

    In the future I will definitively use this option, because in the past, on to many occasions, having used the "Report abuse" option did not help me at all.

    The Member(s) abusing posting(S) were never deleted.

    Myself, having been banned from the Community a few times is a fact, and "some", (not all) Moderators , and Forum Owners are keeping an eye on all my postings.

    I do a lot of browsing and editing my postings.

    But yet I still find uncalled abuse from some Members addressed to other Members, containing abusive remarks. Their postings have never been deleted. That is not fair.

    Anyhow,  I hope ,me answering to your reply posting addressed to me will not be considered as "off Topic". I think it's a necessary reply to your reply posting.

    Regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-15T14:46:50+00:00

    Right on the MONEY !!.

    You deserve MY HELPFUL vote.

    Regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-30T00:30:18+00:00

    Depending on which Window version you have..... right clip on start - click on run - type in MSCONFIG - click on tab that says Service & uncheck the box for the Diagnostics Tracking Service.  I then believe that will STOP it from running.  There is also one there I seen called Distributed Link Tracking Client - Not sure what that is.  I unchecked any way.  Hope this helps.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-23T23:09:31+00:00

    "Tracking"?.

    Later on I will follow up with more for Windows10.

    Meanwhile enjoy those Tracking's.

    Regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-23T23:51:10+00:00

    Some follow up's.

    But more to follow later on.

    Turn off all, except the SmartScreen filter.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments