: This feature allows Windows to check for the latest installation files and driver updates during the setup process. To do this, it transmits information about your PC hardware to Microsoft to ensure compatibility.
: Access the "Change PC settings" menu via the charms bar, then navigate to the Privacy tab. : This feature allows Windows to check for
Understanding the privacy implications of your operating system is essential, especially during the setup and installation phases. For users of Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft provided a specific privacy statement detailing how data is collected and used by various installation and setup features. Accessing the Privacy Statement and success status
The full, official privacy statement for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 can be accessed through the Microsoft Privacy Page , where users can download the document in their preferred language. For direct reference to the installation-specific features, Microsoft historically used the dedicated link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=280262. Key Privacy Features During Installation then navigate to the Privacy tab.
: Users can choose to send a one-off report to Microsoft regarding their installation experience. This report includes data like installation date, duration, and success status, and is associated with a randomly generated Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) to help improve future products.
Several optional features active during installation have specific privacy impacts that users can control:
For organizations managing these systems, administrators can use Group Policy to configure privacy-related settings across multiple servers or workstations. Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 privacy statement