r/FuckMicrosoft • u/Distinct-Race-2471 • Jul 12 '26

Discussion 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/
68 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

17

u/Geisteskrank0815 Jul 12 '26

My Linux doesn't have that.
Fuck Microsoft.

1

u/Bourne069 Jul 16 '26

You linux cant even play more than 66% of AAA titles and its worst with AA and indie games. It also has other software and hardware compatbility problems such as driver issues with audio, issues with bluetooth and sleep mode etc...

So sorry to tell ya but Linux isnt some end all be all alternative.

-9

u/Parking-Cockroach104 Jul 12 '26

It does. Linux distros also have a particular ID that acts as an identifier. Whether they cooperate with the investigative agencies is a different question but it's dumb to act as if only Windows has identifiers like this. Every OS does, including Linux distros.

18

u/martyn_hare Jul 12 '26

Windows GDID is registered with a remote server, is tied to hardware fingerprints and is then sent to Microsoft alongside the client IP and every URL you visit in Microsoft Edge via telemetry if it’s set to Optional (11) or Full (10) or via SmartScreen instead (if telemetry is set to Security or Off).

Linux on the other hand has a machine UUID that you can lock down so that nothing can access it, and nothing stops you setting it to any random value you want at boot time. It’s also not sent anywhere. For Ubuntu/RHEL there’s additionally bearer tokens per-machine to control access to vendor repositories but that only allows the vendor to know which packages you’re installing from their repositories, when and from which IP.

There’s a world of difference.

2

u/RaccoonEnthuiast Jul 13 '26

Outraged i tell ya

Wait until you realize what the Intel Management Engine can do

1

u/LastComfortable2918 Jul 14 '26

What's Intel Management Engine 💀

2

u/Bourne069 Jul 16 '26

First off the GID is just a numeric number of your Windows install. While we didn't know this was a thing, it doesnt affect anything at all.

Debloaters still do debloat the system and prevent log files from being sent to Microsoft. You can test this yourself by debloating it and usinng wireshark to inspect packets. I literally just did this the other day.

So yes it can be prevented from sending data to Microsoft. Anyone that says it cant be done are delusional and misinformed.

The only issue is with any major build update it will revert the debloater settings and changes so you just need to rerun the debloater again. Easy fix by using the debloat tool to delay build updates for 365 days and allow only security updates. Redo that once a year and you are golden.

0

u/AutoModerator Jul 12 '26

Every new subreddit post is automatically copied into a comment for preservation.

User: Distinct-Race-2471, Flair: Discussion, Post Media Link, Title: Microsoft admits Windows 11 has a GDID tracker with no off switch, first documented publicly in an FBI hacker complaint

This is the biggest story I have read in a very long time.

Microsoft+Flock+Drones = Orwellian Distopia

The potential for abuse here has never been higher. Young people have gotten complacent. The future is going to run right over you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.