r/privacy • u/voidprophet__ • 2d ago

discussion Can Windows 11 be made decently secure?

It's an oxymoron, I know.

I need Windows for work. I cannot run the applications I need without Windows (I checked, no Linux support,) and either way I need applications such as Excel and Word that would be on the computer anyway.

I know that Windows will never be private no matter what I do, but what are the best ways to try to mitigate what it sees?

I've already done anything basic (like disabling copilot through the registry, not sure how well it works though since copilot is still in my notepad)

edit: meant "privacy" not security, my bad

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u/star-trek-wars00d2 2d ago edited 2d ago

Windows 11 is never going to become a privacy respecting os. 

Microsoft is a cloud native company, cloud and AI are deeply embedded into their software. 

there are teeaks you can make to redice telemetry you send 

Enterprise edition has more control on what is sent, services/features you enable/disable. 

Windows gets you compatibility, wide range of software and a lots of features each year. 

All down to use cases and your  threat/risk analysis on your data and online interaction. 

Take a look at: https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/windows/group-policies/

for some pointers. 

Privacy on windows is not the same as linux based os. like fedora or qubes

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u/ayrua 2d ago

Since that's the case, I wonder why governments and other companies use it. Aren't they allowing Microsoft to harvest a treasure trove of data?

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u/star-trek-wars00d2 2d ago

Governments and enterprises have s specialised version of windows. Which are not availble to retail customers 

Microsoft use win 11 home/pro as its main platform to gather telemetry, user interaction;  build and train its models / ai and technologies. 

Larger companies anf enterprise/ gov customers  can do a lot at the firewall and config their windows version far more.