Code to run nozzle check from batch file

[PeterBJ]

KB = (Microsoft) Knowledge Base articles?

 

[Photographic Memory]

It's been 18 months since I read up on it (I remember the date as it was when my daughter got her new laptop and it came with Windows 10 installed and we both wanted her to have 7, so I had motives right there)

I can't remember the exact link, but just ran a quick "googol"

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com...ows-10-telemetry-updates-diagnostic-tracking/

https://superuser.com/questions/972...ering-telemetry-data-from-windows-7-8-and-8-1

https://www.computerworld.com/artic...th-new-win781-patches-kb-3192403-3192404.html

 

[Photographic Memory]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2799756/windows-telemetry-updates.html

https://www.tweakhound.com/2017/02/11/blocking-windows-7-telemetry/ (random unheard of site (tweak hound), proceed with caution)


Arrghhh, there's too many, I just searched "windows 7 kb telemetry"… enough info there to keep you busy!

 

[Photographic Memory]

Another unheard of (personally) web pagexbut it looks interesting… and recent, 2017! I have a legitimate paid for Windows 7 license (even though my computer came with 8.1), but nevertheless I do NOT accept Windows Updates. And that's the benefit of running 7, you still have the ability to do so.

Edit, oops, the link:
https://thehackernews.com/2015/08/windows-spying-on-you.html

Edit again: ok so that link is 2015, but others are discussing something that went on regarding pushed KB Telemetry "patches" earlier in the year.

 

[Photographic Memory]

In case I've gone off on a tangent, it was this article here that details 9 out of 10 Anti-virus programs actually install 'PUPs' themselves… https://blog.emsisoft.com/2015/01/17/has-the-antivirus-industry-gone-mad/
and
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/thr...d-free-try-to-install-pups-on-your-pc.372499/

 

[stratman]

https://thehackernews.com/2015/08/windows-spying-on-you.html

Thanks for the links. I started with this one and will read through the others.

This link explains how to remove the updates and has been well known for years. I bypassed Win 7 and went from XP Pro to Win 8.0 Pro where I encountered the security issues. Over time, these issues have been addressed for the most part, or completely enough IMO.

There have been explanations on how to curtail Mocrosoft's tracking going back to the early days of Windows 10. There have also been free standalone applications since those early days to quickly customize the OS, including security. A current one is from O&O: https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Additionally, depending on your version of Windows you have more or less control over updates: Home is the worst, Pro offers substantial controls, especially in recent updates, and Enterprise giving you full control over update (or not). If control over your OS and data is key then purchase the appropriate version.

Simply, Windows 10 is the best iteration of Microsoft Windows, albeit the big brother stuff is a turnoff until you tame it. Of course if something ain't broke then don't fix it. There is still plenty of life in Win 7, at least until January 14, 2020 when mainstream support ends. Bye-bye security, hardware and functionality updates. Hello to becoming prey on the internet and potential inability to recognize or run some hardware and software eventually.

 

[stratman]

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com...ows-10-telemetry-updates-diagnostic-tracking/

From the link: "Diagnostic Tracking does not upload data until the customer explicitly opts-in to do so."

And,

"We do no longer recommend that the telemetry data should be stopped by disabling the service. The official recommendation has shifted from Stopping the Service towards the disabling of the Telemetry data collection in the Control Panel or PC Settings."

So, one must first grant Tracking privileges and you can disable Telemetry data collection.

 

[Photographic Memory]

Check this:
https://www.askvg.com/truth-behind-disallowing-telemetry-and-data-collection-trick-in-windows-10/

https://winaero.com/blog/telemetry-and-data-collection-are-coming-to-windows-7-and-windows-8-too/

https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-disable-telemetry-and-data-collection-in-windows-10/

Especially read some comments! From the people, not the ones "spying on you"

Such as "Have you ever just opened the Windows 10 registry and done a single search using the word TELEMETRY ? OMG, there’s hundreds of hits. These guys are way ahead of us."

And "You can/should use Windows without updates. Just reinstall Windows and completely turn off ALL automatic updates."

And "I have *SO* much Windows software collected (and written for myself)… I’d like to copy much of it to the next machine, but this privacy matter irks me no end. I can still run the old software on old machines, which is a bit of a hassle, but might be worth the tradeoff. I’d prefer to stay in the same environment, if I can batten down the hatches, so to speak. So, I’m researching like crazy for the next three weeks to decide what to do when Christmas comes."

And

Actually my head is spinning. Too much! Haven't slept for 48 hours, again been up all night refilling carts , etc.
Good night!

 

[stratman]

From your TomsHardware link is the following link to https://gist.github.com/xvitaly/eafa75ed2cb79b3bd4e9

Nice work on batch files to remove unwanted updates.

Your link https://www.tweakhound.com/2017/02/11/blocking-windows-7-telemetry/ stresses the need to rerun the batch fill to remove updates that are reinstalled by Microsoft at later dates (also discussed in other links you provided). Sneaky Bill Gates.

Concerning https://blog.emsisoft.com/2015/01/17/has-the-antivirus-industry-gone-mad/ ...

PUP's (Potentially Unwanted Programs) are annoying but not necessarily malware. Unscrupulous vendors will not inform you of add on software being installed with the program you think is only being installed. Nowadays, most reputable download sites of freeware or trialware let you know and give you the option of not installing the PUP as long as you pay attention to the command prompts before the installation actually begins. PUP's are easily removed in my experience using one of several free software including the great free Malewarebytes, which, IMO, should be installed on everyone's computer from day one as a way to combat a potential infection in the future. Still, the biggest issues are download apps from reputable sites and read the screens when you are installing a program to make sure to not install a PUP.

Some good ideas on how to avoid PUP's at https://community.norton.com/en/forums/pupoptionallegacy-0

I think you have an abundance of caution, a good thing, though some additional knowledge on these matters may temper your concerns.

 

[The Hat]

Spying, what’s that all about, sure most people give away their personal details and whereabouts on nearly an hourly basics, nobody needs to track you, because you do that yourself for them.

You can start with your social media, your phone your camera, your local shop and petrol discounts cards, bank on-line, and now your car, and when you get home at night you think you safe, well you are, if all your devices have been switched off.

Then you can relax and watch some television, but unfortunately it too is hard wired to the snoops, they know everything about your viewing habits and favourite programs, even the exact time you go to bed, O’ and I forgot to mention your smart meters and computers.

Is there anybody out there that’s not listening and snooping, we are all being farmed and feed up to these electronic devices, with CC cameras on every intersection, who can get lost...

Now what’s this about spying again...
P.S. and I even managed to mention one of the little fist too, Microsoft...