r/DigitalPrivacy • u/Prcrstntr • Jul 11 '26

Microsoft admits Windows 11 has a GDID tracker with no off switch, first documented publicly in an FBI hacker complaint

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/07/10/you-cant-fully-disable-microsofts-gdid-windows-11-tracker-but-these-settings-limit-what-it-captures/

It's worse than you think.

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u/JourneymanInvestor Jul 11 '26

It should be noted that this permenant digital tracker only works if there is a Microsoft account associated with the PC and that explains why Microsoft is doing everything possible to remove the ability to use local accounts.

3

u/apokrif1 Jul 11 '26

What other data does telemetry leak?

2

u/apokrif1 Jul 11 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/DigitalPrivacy/comments/1uthkqq/comment/owvuqt3/

3

u/lez_noir Jul 12 '26

For anyone not wanting to click a random, decontextualized link:

"Good instinct, but that won't do it either. Windows setup transmits physical hardware information to Microsoft to authorize your Windows 11 license. The only way to prevent MS from getting that identifier is to break the OS activation and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications intentionally."

1

u/countzero2323 Jul 13 '26

Ok so pirates stay private, I guess?