Microsoft opens up about the data it collects in Windows 10

In a move meant to assuage privacy concerns over its data collection in Windows 10, Microsoft has opened up about the types of data it collects alongside a recap of the privacy-focused changes it is making in the upcoming Creators Update.

Microsoft's Marisa Rogers and Terry Myerson took to a new blog post to talk about the changes, with the biggest being a full rundown of the types of data collected by Windows 10.

We are publishing more information about the data we collect. Our commitment to you is that we only collect data at the Basic level that is necessary to keep your Windows 10 device secure and up to date. For customers who choose the Full level, we use diagnostic data to improve Windows 10 for everyone and deliver more personalized experiences for you where you choose to let us do so. Our hope is this information will help you be more informed about the data we collect and use, enabling you to make informed choices.

To check out the information, you can head over to Microsoft's TechNet site to get a full rundown on data collected at the Basic level, as well as a detailed summary of data collected in Basic and Full levels of diagnostics. It's a lot to wade through, but it gives a much more transparent look at exactly the types of data Microsoft collects and for what purposes.

Other changes touched on in the post include handy Creators Update changes Microsoft has covered before. Examples include the ability to toggle things like app suggestions and diagnostic data collection on or off during setup. While you can't turn diagnostic data off completely, Microsoft says it is working to minimize its data collection at the Basic level.

Microsoft has faced quite a bit of scrutiny over its privacy practices in Windows 10 as of late, and it's obvious these changes are meant to address those concerns. The Windows 10 Creators Update is set to roll out in full on April 11, and you can check out all of the privacy changes incoming ahead of time.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl