In the modern digital era, privacy is of the utmost importance. The need for effective privacy protection software is growing, and XD-AntiSpy is a formidable weapon in the fight against Windows data harvesting.
This small and free app lets you turn off Windows 10 and Windows 11’s telemetry and tracking functions, giving you complete control over your data.
Contents
The Privacy Dilemma in Windows 11
While Windows 11 provides better security and innovative functionality, it has also caused consumers to worry a tremendous deal about their privacy.
From standard system diagnostics to in-depth information regarding user actions and preferences, Windows collects and transmits a lot of data to Microsoft servers for analysis.
One feature that has caused a lot of controversy is Windows Recall. It takes snapshots of the user’s activities at regular intervals.
Privacy experts are concerned about potential misuse if unauthorized individuals gain physical access to the device, despite Microsoft’s assurances to users about the local storage of this data.
What is XD-AntiSpy?
This lightweight, portable Windows program safeguards your privacy by disabling functions that gather unnecessary data. Its user-friendly layout makes it accessible to any user who wants to manage their privacy without dealing with complicated settings.
A Renaissance Under Extreme Defense
This tool, which used to be called XP-AntiSpy, was famous from 2001 to 2015 because it helped people control their privacy settings in Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.
Belim, the independent developer, revived the abandoned project as XD-AntiSpy. “XD” stands for “extreme defense,” which shows how well it protects against unwanted intrusions.
Key Features:
- Telemetry Control: Disabling or limiting Windows 11’s telemetry features can reduce the amount of data sent back to Microsoft.
- Enhance Privacy: Protect Your Data by Disabling “Find My Device” and “Privacy Settings Experience at Sign-in.” To reduce the likelihood of data exposure, hide taskbar widgets and disable Bing cloud content search.
- Disable Unwanted Features: If necessary, disable game mode, GameDVR, PowerThrottling, and VisualFX. You can also block Windows from saving screenshots of your screen.
- Customize Windows Interface: Personalize Windows 11’s Start menu and taskbar to your taste. You can make your computer look cleaner by hiding unused features like the Copilot icon and clearing the cache of icons.
- Return Missing Features: If you’re missing a feature, like the old context menu, restore it.
- Disable ads: Remove hidden ads that appear throughout Windows 11, such as those in Explorer and the Start menu.
Developer page: https://github.com/builtbybel/
Installation and using XD-AntiSpy:
- Download and Unzip: First, download the most recent version from the official GitHub source. Then, unzip the zip file to a location of your choosing.
- Run the program: Start the application by double-clicking the xd-AntiSpy.exe file; installation is unnecessary.
- Configure Settings: To activate or deactivate individual features, you can configure the settings by checking or unchecking the required options.
- Apply: Confirm your changes by clicking the “Apply settings” button.
- Plugins: Use the plugin “Debloater” to uninstall pre-installed software, or “Restart Explorer” to let your changes take effect instantly. For even more personalization, you can install plugins made by third parties, like Chris Titus.
Best procedures and precautions
Although XD-AntiSpy is a powerful tool, it must be used with care.
- Create a Restore Point: make a system restore point before you make any major modifications. This will allow you to roll back to an earlier version if anything goes wrong.
- Import/Export Settings: Using “Ctrl+O” will import your settings, and using “Ctrl+S” will export them. This feature lets you create profiles and use them on other computers, or store them before reinstalling Windows 11.
Conclusion:
XD-AntiSpy is a must-have for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users concerned about privacy and personalization. With its help, you can easily prevent data collection from Microsoft, disable unwanted features, and improve your overall user experience. Make sure that you create a restore point before making any changes so you can undo them if necessary.
Discover more from Techno360
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.