Windows 10 and 11 bring a lot of new features and aims to make your daily work as easy and hassle-free as possible. Microsoft does grant you some further rights in order that you can set your privacy the way you would like it. However, these new settings often only apply to programs that were installed after the Update, and some old settings are simply reset to “Standard“ automatically. Windows 10 and 11 quite freely shares your personal data with Microsoft and certain apps. Some services protocol your entire keyboard entries, share your WLAN access data with your Facebook contacts or connect your computer without asking permission to a public – and potentially unprotected – network. While this means that you and your contacts do not have to grapple with complicated WLAN passwords, it also poses a significant security risk.
Windows lets you manage some of the available privacy settings in a new easier to use dashboard. Unfortunately, it does not give you full control over your privacy on your very own PC. Without a deep understanding of Windows, it is very difficult to protect your privacy.
Protect your privacy under Windows 10 and Windows 11 – Free!
O&O Software’s freeware O&O ShutUp10 means you have full control over which comfort functions under Windows 10 and Windows 11 you wish to use, and you decide when the passing on of your data goes too far. Using a very simple interface, you decide how Windows 10 and 11 should respect your privacy by making recommendations and giving tips for which unwanted functions should be deactivated. And should you change your mind later on, e.g. giving the personal assistant Cortana a try, all changes can be reverted with a single click.
Alternatively, ensure permanent, automatic privacy with the Premium Edition
The new O&O ShutUp10 Premium Edition ensures that your chosen privacy settings remain permanently enforced – fully automatically, even after Windows updates or system changes. Once configured, O&O ShutUp10 Premium continuously monitors your system and automatically restores your preferred settings whenever changes are detected. This gives you permanent control over what Windows is allowed to collect and share about you.
Particularly after Windows updates or major system modifications, it is common for previously configured privacy options to be reactivated or altered. O&O ShutUp10 Premium detects such changes and ensures that the desired configurations remain permanently intact.
New in Version 3.6.1135
Added:
- Hide the toggle to switch to the new Outlook
- Disable automatic switch to the new Outlook
- Filter settings by category, including in edit mode; search field explains available filters
- Nine additional program languages: Czech, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Turkish, Ukrainian, and Chinese (Traditional)
Changed:
- Titles and descriptions for biometric features (P009) now reference Windows Hello; the PIN remains usable
- Descriptions of lock screen settings (K001, K002) indicate that K002 also disables Windows Spotlight
- “Secure Boot” tab displays error details and provides more relevant guidance regarding blocking settings and firmware errors
- Technical foundation updated to .NET 10
- Notes explain which settings Microsoft Defender can revert via its Tamper Protection feature
- PREM: Custom profiles can be overwritten using the same name after confirmation
- PREM: Descriptions of “Add only” and “Replace all” profile modes explain how settings outside the profile are handled
- PREM: Reverted Defender settings are logged; a notification informs the user when automatic retries have ceased
Fixed:
- Edge search bar can be disabled in current Edge versions (E124, E224); previously configured settings must be reapplied
- After successfully creating a restore point, the prompt only reappears upon the next program launch
- Secure Boot certificate status now accounts for recent successful events and pending restarts; Legacy error values no longer trigger an error message
- Secure Boot certificates are correctly recognized even when additional data is present in the firmware
- The notification regarding failed Secure Boot certificate updates no longer contains duplicate text
- The window appears in the foreground when launched via the notification area icon or a second program instance
- Window size, maximized state, and screen position are preserved after a restart and when restoring from the notification area
- Translations, text formatting, and keyboard shortcuts in menus, settings, and dialogs have been corrected and updated
- Failed program restarts—including those run as administrator—are reported with an error code; the existing window remains open if the process is aborted early
- The diagnostic log fully captures the causes of errors, including those associated with warnings and informational messages
- Free Edition: Embedded program files are signed to prevent Smart App Control from blocking their execution
- PREM: Reduced CPU usage when the main window is hidden and fewer repeated queries of the AI status card
- PREM: Unmonitored settings no longer trigger false change notifications or unintended modifications by automatic protection
- PREM: Repeated application of settings reset by Defender is limited to avoid recurring tampering warnings
- PREM: Profile mode is saved immediately and retained when duplicating; the setting persists even after an unexpected shutdown
- PREM: Regular status checks no longer displace older entries from the change log
Info:
- Compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10; x86, x64, and ARM architecture
- Available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese (simplified), Czech, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Turkish, Ukrainian, and Chinese (Traditional)
Download now – no install, no crapware!
Download O&O ShutUp10 free from our Website. The free Edition of O&O ShutUp10 does not have to be installed – it can be simply run directly and immediately on your PC (portable). And it will not install or download retrospectively unwanted or unnecessary software – no crapware.
