Windows 81 And Windows Server 2012 R2 Privacy Statement For Installation Features Key Link
| Feature | Policy Path | Recommended Setting for High-Privacy Environments | | --- | --- | --- | | Windows Update Telemetry | Computer Config > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds | Security Level: 0 (Security) | | Windows Error Reporting | Computer Config > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting | Disabled | | CEIP | Computer Config > Admin Templates > System > Internet Communication Management | Disable CEIP | | Inventory Collector (Server 2012 R2) | Computer Config > Admin Templates > System > Server Manager | Do not send usage data |
After applying these policies, the installation features will continue to function (updates, crash analysis) but without sending data to Microsoft, except for essential security updates. | Feature | Policy Path | Recommended Setting
Reality: The privacy statement governs only the installation process. Once a feature is installed and running, a separate product privacy statement applies. | Feature | Data sent | Can be disabled offline
If your organization is contractually required to follow Microsoft’s privacy statements (e.g., through a Volume Licensing agreement or Microsoft Online Subscription), you must inform users and administrators about the Privacy Statement for Installation Features. Failure to do so can violate data processing agreements in regulated industries. Admin Templates >
The key link should be referenced in your internal compliance documentation and provided to any administrator performing feature installations.
| Feature | Data sent | Can be disabled offline? | Relevant registry key or setting |
|---------|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
| SmartScreen | URLs, app hashes, download metadata | Yes (Action Center) | HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SmartScreenEnabled |
| CEIP | Hardware config, software usage, performance | Yes (Control Panel) | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection\AllowTelemetry |
| Windows Update | Device ID, update status, installed update list | Yes (Services console) | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU |
| Wi-Fi Sense (Win8.1) | Wi-Fi network names (not passwords) to contacts | Yes (Network settings) | Disabled via Group Policy |
| Advertising ID | App usage for ad personalization | Yes (Settings > Privacy) | HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo |
Not all installation features are local. The privacy statement explicitly lists:
