Windows update statistics

Anybody know the purpose of statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net?
Using a packet sniffer, it sends information about the type of computer I have, and the BIOS revision for example.
Is there a way to turn this off, or is this considered "anonymous" information. I am well aware of fingerprinting, and that is why I am concerned.

 

I dont know, but could it be that microsoft update is running and in that case it includes the hardware information for detecting possible updates of drivers?

 

If you don't allow Automatic updates, then i guess you could enter that www & any others into your HOSTS file, so it directs to for eg, 127.0.0.0

 

Hello Pfipps:

I'm very sure some folks would like to block this one. 157.56.67.218 ? tcp/udp? Ports? Approximate frequency?

Out of curiosity, did your sniffer report, and do you remember, your system's client application that originated this?

Thank you.

 

I used smartsniff from nirsoft, and the application was the windows update service, as far as I could tell. It appears to send out information about the exact
model of pc, BIOS revision, and processor architecture in plaintext. There is also an encrypted part to the message. I have windows update to check, but not download
updates automatically, and I think that's causing it.

 

There's a few domain names for this service, I remember doing what you put here, and it went to another address. The only concern is that it might break windows update.

 

I just tested it, I was wrong, it seems to only work when updates are set automatically, manual updating didn't trigger it. Edit: It seems I was right!, in fact it sends device information a couple times after every reboot. Turning off Dr Watson and auto windows updates doesn't stop it. It appears IP or domain name blocks are the only choices.