a new Windows Guide in 2024

[oppressor1761]

trafficstars

Changes proposed in this PR:

• The existing PR is pretty stale. I also wanna make some big changes. So here comes my Windows guide PR.

• [x] I have disclosed any relevant conflicts of interest in my post.
• [x] I agree to grant Privacy Guides a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free, irrevocable license with the right to sublicense such rights through multiple tiers of sublicensees, to reproduce, modify, display, perform, relicense, and distribute my contribution as part of this project.
• [x] I am the sole author of this work.
• [x] I agree to the Community Code of Conduct.

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[oppressor1761]

My PR is somewhat lacking as genuine advice, especially in terms of language style and explanations of specific suggestions. Any help is welcome!

[dngray]

In regard to writing style we have a guide for that https://www.privacyguides.org/en/meta/writing-style

I'm looking forward to reviewing this when it's ready.

[privacyguides-bot]

This pull request has been mentioned on Privacy Guides. There might be relevant details there:

https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/windows-guide/250/189

[jermanuts]

Enable the Group Policy Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Search\Do not allow web search.

• Enable the Group Policy Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Search\Don't search the web or display web results in Search.

When enabling these two policies, does it automictically enable "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box" in User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer ?

EDIT: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20110606-00/?p=10493 lol

Why do Group Policy settings require me to have a degree in philosophy?

[jermanuts]

Found this guide https://dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-11-usability-guide.html#mozTocId492032. Might be useful for this guide!

[I-I-IT]

Two Suggestions

1)For the Region we should advise for selection European Union (EU), not European Economic Area (EEA)/Switzerland.

Two reasons -GDPR and DMA are not applicable in Switzerland -The DMA is only applicable to EU, not EEA.

While Microsoft may have choosen to unify all and make an Europe Region version, this means that if let's say your set country is Switzerland, you are not covered by EU privacy laws (Swiss Privacy Laws are about protecting companies from government, EU is about protecting citizens from companies) and have no right under it.

Make an intro for Windows, like is the case with the MacOS page.

"Windows is a popular desktop operating system developped by Microsoft that was released in 1985. Contrary to MacOS, it is used by many vendors. However, it is plagued by bloatware, tracking and bad security. This guide will focus on reducing, but not eliminating, those issues."

[oppressor1761]

When enabling these two policies, does it automictically enable "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box" in User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer ?

No.

Found this guide https://dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-11-usability-guide.html#mozTocId492032. Might be useful for this guide!

Thanks!

While Microsoft may have choosen to unify all and make an Europe Region version, this means that if let's say your set country is Switzerland, you are not covered by EU privacy laws (Swiss Privacy Laws are about protecting companies from government, EU is about protecting citizens from companies) and have no right under it.

The only reason to do this is to leverage the benefits of DMA. According to Microsoft DMA Compliance Report – Windows Section 2 Annex part 3, Windows in European Economic Area (EEA)/Switzerland applies to these changes.

[I-I-IT]

I know but if youbare going to spoof your country anyway, better to include an EU country, which will be covered, even if Microsoft change it's mind about the EU region thing .and decide to just follow the law.

-------- Original Message -------- On 7 Apr 2024, 21:17, oppressor1761 < @.***> wrote:

When enabling these two policies, does it automictically enable "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box" in User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer ?

No.

Found this guide https://dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-11-usability-guide.html#mozTocId492032. Might be useful for this guide!

Thanks!

While Microsoft may have choosen to unify all and make an Europe Region version, this means that if let's say your set country is Switzerland, you are not covered by EU privacy laws (Swiss Privacy Laws are about protecting companies from government, EU is about protecting citizens from companies) and have no right under it.

The only reason to do this is to leverage the benefits of DMA. According to Microsoft DMA Compliance Report – Windows Section 2 Annex part 3, Windows in European Economic Area (EEA)/Switzerland applies to these changes.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[jermanuts]

https://samsepi0l.dev/blog/cybersec/windows-setup/group-policies/ this is also a part of whole windows series https://samsepi0l.dev/blog/cybersec/windows-setup/

EDIT: https://github.com/starchturrets/windows-shenanigans

[oppressor1761]

Two Suggestions

Suggestion accepted

https://samsepi0l.dev/blog/cybersec/windows-setup/group-policies/ this is also a part of whole windows series https://samsepi0l.dev/blog/cybersec/windows-setup/

Thanks but after a brief look I believe this PR is better

[oppressor1761]

Due to the desktop browser criteria, I cannot write Edge recommendation in the guide which is unfair. Installing third party browsers on any OS platforms add attack surface, especially when there’s no third party webview available.I device to close this PR until this is solved.

[privacyguides-bot]

This pull request has been mentioned on Privacy Guides. There might be relevant details there:

https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/windows-guide/250/237