Microsoft following the Google path

[gaoesa]

Apparently, In Windows 8.1 there is a feature that snoops what you do in your own computer and sends this information to the Bing search engine online. Then this information is used to bring you better advertisements. I.e. your private information (any profiling of the person is private by law) is collected and sold forward for the quote, "Hero Ads".

Google does these things too. Fortunately unlike with Google, you can disable this feature.

Source: http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-wi ... ing-229907

[gR!ns]

If you install Win 8/.1 yourself, you can change some of the 'automatic' features on/off during installation. In some point you'll be asked if you want to use express settings or do custom settings. I prefer almost everytime when possible to check out what kind of things there are behind of those buttons.

Generally, it's always good to check options very carefully when installing programs. Many of them have some other programs included also, if you just hit next button blindly. Especially in freewares. If I remember correctly, there were some kind of toolbar for browser in one program and it wasn't mentioned before you clicked the 'advanced install' -button.

[gaoesa]

Yes, those browser additions are among the worst bloats that sometimes come from shareware programs. I suppose that is one way to make money when there's no real sales.

Disabling this feature should be possible even after installation. But I don't have Windows 8.1 so I can't check it.

[TheSilencerPL]

Why don't you just install Linux? :P Yeah, I know your ideological concerns about it, but it's better than the things mentioned in this thread And the other thing is probably games, I suppose.

[gaoesa]

I wouldn't call my issues being ideological though. Ubuntu is not a bad choice in my opinion. It seems very modern for a Linux. But I would rather go with some BSD (other then OS X from Apple) just to avoid the fragmentation and religious parts of the "ideology".

[gR!ns]

Disabling this feature should be possible even after installation. But I don't have Windows 8.1 so I can't check it.

This might be helpful.

http://pureinfotech.com/2013/11/01/stop-windows-81-bing-smart-search-targeting-ads/

[gaoesa]

About GPL, BSD and overall free software ideology, this might be helpfull to people who don't yet have deeper kownledge of those:
http://www.softpanorama.org/Copyright/L ... _GPL.shtml