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 3.5.1130
Changed:
- Turning off the settings “Disable diagnostic data from customizing user experiences” (U004, U005) now writes the Windows default value instead of deleting the value
- Improved screen-reader and keyboard support; decorative icons are skipped and menu entries have access keys in all eight languages
- Message for changes refused by Windows explains the cause and why the switch is reset
- Upgrade uses the same validated installation component as automatic updates
- Premium Edition and OEM editions are reliably detected from setup data
- PREM: Registry changes refused by Windows are logged with the value and cause
- PREM: Rejected automatic-protection changes point to the diagnostics log and support
- PREM: New “View → Hide settings protected by Windows” menu entry; choice is remembered
- PREM: Settings protected by Windows are excluded from open deviations and shown separately
- PREM: Settings protected by Windows are locked, marked with a padlock, and can be retried
- PREM: Background service start delay reduced to 30 seconds; the program waits during startup
- PREM: Skipped update checks show the result of the previous check
Fixed:
- The settings U004 and U005 were repeatedly re-enabled by Windows, so O&O ShutUp10 reported changed settings on every start and reverting the change did not persist
- Secure Boot certificate status is reliably detected on Windows 11 24H2/25H2
- Staged Secure Boot certificates are shown as a pending update instead of an error
- Message for a protected Windows Insider setting translated into six additional languages
- Free Edition correctly points to the application log when changes are refused
- Declined User Account Control prompt during upgrade is reported and the window stays open
- The “AI” tab no longer reports an error when deleting the Recall folder on Copilot+ PCs
- PREM: Profiles whose settings already match can be made active
- PREM: “Check for updates now” is available again; repeated requests are limited
- PREM: “Download new version” uses update data already available
- PREM: “Local Machine” tab refreshes when the background service becomes available
- PREM: “Start Service…” menu entry follows the current service status
- PREM: Updates are no longer offered during logoff, shutdown, or restart
- PREM: Update check and dialog start only once; dialog is centred when the main window is hidden
Compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10; x86, x64, and ARM architecture.
Available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Chinese (simplified).
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.
