Windows 7 - Is it possible to block telemetry data ?

[Defenestration]

When using Windows 7 RC, it will apparently phone home to Microsoft with telemetry data to help with fixing bugs etc. I haven't really played with Windows 7 RC much, and so don't know if there is an easy way to stop this from happening (unless I specifically let it).

Can it be blocked from sending any telemetry data (ie. so it just acts like a normal release edition of Windows) - for example, by using a third party firewall (like LnS), as opposed to using the in-built Windows Firewall (which I'm guessing will not block this due to internal whitelist) ?

[snowdrift]

Originally Posted by Defenestration

When using Windows 7 RC, it will apparently phone home to Microsoft with telemetry data to help with fixing bugs etc. I haven't really played with Windows 7 RC much, and so don't know if there is an easy way to stop this from happening (unless I specifically let it).

Can it be blocked from sending any telemetry data (ie. so it just acts like a normal release edition of Windows) - for example, by using a third party firewall (like LnS), as opposed to using the in-built Windows Firewall (which I'm guessing will not block this due to internal whitelist) ?

Your screen name is oddly à propos here.

[Defenestration]

Originally Posted by snowdrift

Your screen name is oddly à propos here.

What do you mean ? I get you now

[Kerodo]

Since it's an RC and pretty much here for testing at this point, I'd say there isn't much you can do about it. You'd have to know what service is doing the communicating, and on what port(s) and to what IPs etc to even attempt to block it. If it's Svchost.Exe for example, you can't just block Svchost as it's needed for DNS lookups as well as other things. So you'd need to know all the details.

Might as well just let it do it's thing. If it bothers you too much, then just use Vista or XP, or another alternative.

[SystemJunkie]

When using Windows 7 RC, it will apparently phone home to Microsoft with telemetry data to help with fixing bugs etc. I haven't really played with Windows 7 RC much, and so don't know if there is an easy way to stop this from happening (unless I specifically let it).

Can it be blocked from sending any telemetry data (ie. so it just acts like a normal release edition of Windows) - for example, by using a third party firewall (like LnS), as opposed to using the in-built Windows Firewall (which I'm guessing will not block this due to internal whitelist) ?

By using their products you are automatically part of S-Eye, imho. Sponsored by MS, CIA, NSA, oil mafia & co, you are welcome to convince me that I might be wrong.

Firewalls can slow down their spy activities but not block because they poison the http traffic with attached viral communication packets, likely this spy method is not restricted on software, may also be valid for hardware especially bios.

[Kerodo]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

By using their products you are automatically part of S-Eye, imho. Sponsored by MS, CIA, NSA, oil mafia & co, you are welcome to convince me that I might be wrong.

Firewalls can slow down their spy activities but not block because they poison the http traffic with attached viral communication packets, likely this spy method is not restricted on software, may also be valid for hardware especially bios.

What's that you're smoking??

[Ade 1]

Originally Posted by Defenestration

When using Windows 7 RC, it will apparently phone home to Microsoft with telemetry data to help with fixing bugs etc. I haven't really played with Windows 7 RC much, and so don't know if there is an easy way to stop this from happening (unless I specifically let it).

Can it be blocked from sending any telemetry data (ie. so it just acts like a normal release edition of Windows) - for example, by using a third party firewall (like LnS), as opposed to using the in-built Windows Firewall (which I'm guessing will not block this due to internal whitelist) ?

Like mentioned before there'll be no easy way to stop it if at all. Guess you'll have to keep all that dodgy stuff on W7 in case the Feds find out!!

[jack90125]

go into task schedular and disable them that apply to sending data to ms.
sheesh good thing this is a wilders forum

[arran]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

Firewalls can slow down their spy activities but not block because they poison the http traffic with attached viral communication packets, likely this spy method is not restricted on software, may also be valid for hardware especially bios.

I very much doubt microsoft would of gone as far as poisoning http traffic just to phone home.

Any way this shouldn't be an issue just disable the service, Use some thing like Curr ports or Port explorer and a softare firewall to block, you can even block all microsoft's IP addresses.
I think even most Hardware Routers give you the ability to block IP addresses.

This stuff isn't Rocket Science you know.

[Nebulus]

Originally Posted by arran

I very much doubt microsoft would of gone as far as poisoning http traffic just to phone home.

I don't think they really need to do that.

Originally Posted by arran

Any way this shouldn't be an issue just disable the service, Use some thing like Curr ports or Port explorer and a softare firewall to block, you can even block all microsoft's IP addresses.
I think even most Hardware Routers give you the ability to block IP addresses.
This stuff isn't Rocket Science you know.

You might be right, but then again, if Windows 7 needs to call home both for normal functioning and to send telemetry data, you might have some serious problems in blocking EXACTLY the part of the data that you don't want to be sent.

[Kerodo]

Originally Posted by Nebulus

You might be right, but then again, if Windows 7 needs to call home both for normal functioning and to send telemetry data, you might have some serious problems in blocking EXACTLY the part of the data that you don't want to be sent.

Exactly......

[SystemJunkie]

What's that you're smoking??

Experience and analysis. It might not fit directly into this topic. (because it is a omnipresent internet thing) Ignore it or play it down, but it is a matter of fact.

[Kerodo]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

Experience and analysis. It might not fit directly into this topic. (because it is a omnipresent internet thing) Ignore it or play it down, but it is a matter of fact.

As long as it doesn't keep you up at night.....

[SystemJunkie]

As long as it doesn't keep you up at night.....

I like to play puzzle and deciphering. Never thought that the global internet control use such simple methods. It is only a neverending childish scattered puzzle nothing else... don´t know why but it is so known to me specially to my subcon. The ww mindmass can´t produce something new, it only can reproduce the very old things, understand?!

[Fly]

A question: does Vista send telemetry data ? (I did a quick search, but found nothing conclusive)

I'm still on Windows XP: presumable this OS doesn't send telemetry data ?

[arran]

Originally Posted by Nebulus

You might be right, but then again, if Windows 7 needs to call home both for normal functioning and to send telemetry data, you might have some serious problems in blocking EXACTLY the part of the data that you don't want to be sent.

Why would Windows 7 need to call home so it can function normally?? If that is the case then how would it function and work when you first install it??
Going by your logic it wouldn't be possible for anyone to try and use Windows 7 unless they were connected to the internet 24/7.

[SystemJunkie]

I'm still on Windows XP: presumable this OS doesn't send telemetry data ?

No, I saw telemetry folder there too, afaik. Might be some NT specific thing.

[Fly]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

No, I saw telemetry folder there too, afaik. Might be some NT specific thing.

Can you tell me what the telemetry folder looks like ?
Does it send telemetry data out as frequently as Windows 7, is this a regular occurance, depending on something, and is there anything you can do about it (like block by a firewall ) ??

Thanks for any answers.

[The Hammer]

Originally Posted by Kerodo

What's that you're smoking??

He's not smoking anything. His tin hat is on too tight, that's all.

[SystemJunkie]

He's not smoking anything. His tin hat is on too tight, that's all.

Exactly.

Can you tell me what the telemetry folder looks like ?

Mostly located in temporary folder, looks like "telemetry submit".

[Fly]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

Exactly.

Mostly located in temporary folder, looks like "telemetry submit".

(Windows XP Home Edition service pack 2 plus essential updates):

I changed a few settings like 'hide system folders', to improve chances.

A search for 'telemetry submit' did not yield any results.

A search for 'telemetry' (located in temorary files) yielded:
'http://clients1.google.X/complete/search?...'

X here stands for the country I live in - no reason to advertise it here
In the USA X would be com (google.com).
Google is my default search engine (IE 7).
I doubt this is what you mean - can you elaborate ?
I recently restored an image- but not today.

[Kerodo]

Originally Posted by The Hammer

He's not smoking anything. His tin hat is on too tight, that's all.

LOL...

[arran]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

Exactly.

Mostly located in temporary folder, looks like "telemetry submit".

can you elaborate and post screenie?

[LockBox]

Originally Posted by SystemJunkie

Experience and analysis. It might not fit directly into this topic. (because it is a omnipresent internet thing) Ignore it or play it down, but it is a matter of fact.

I don't doubt your sincere belief, but I doubt the use of the word "fact." Your own signature line should be remembered:
"There is no security there are only different degrees of insecurity. The first victim of war is the truth."

[SystemJunkie]

Maybe it was another telemetry thing I saw (it was Windows XP) and looked like the guy explained there: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1218194

C:\WINDOWS\Temp: all files were from today and could not be deleted. the only other items were the cookies, history, MP telemetry submit, sxs temp, and temp internet files folder all of which I did not delete.

It was a temp folder called MP telemetry submit.