How to Stop Windows from Spying on You

 Most people do not realize that Windows collects a surprising amount of data about them every single day. From the websites you visit and the apps you use to your location, typing habits, and even your voice commands, Windows has numerous built-in features and settings that silently gather information about you in the background and send it back to Microsoft's servers. This does not necessarily mean Microsoft has bad intentions, as much of this data collection is used to improve products and services, but many users simply prefer to keep their personal information private and under their own control. The good news is that you can significantly reduce or even stop most of this data collection completely for free without any technical expertise. Here is a complete guide on how to stop Windows from spying on you.

Disable Telemetry and Data Collection (O&O ShutUp10)

Windows has several built-in mechanisms for gathering information about how you use your PC, how it performs, and any errors that occur. While some of this is useful for improvement, it also feels like intrusive spying.

The Solution: Use O&O ShutUp10. This free tool provides a clear, simple interface that allows you to disable dozens of Windows features with a single click. It's the most comprehensive and popular tool for this purpose.

Turn Off Diagnostic and Usage Data

One of the biggest sources of data collection in Windows is the diagnostic and usage data setting, which by default sends detailed information about how you use your computer directly to Microsoft. To reduce this, open the Start menu and click on Settings, then go to Privacy and Security, and select Diagnostics and Feedback from the list. Here you will find a setting called Diagnostic Data and you should switch it from Full to Basic or Required Only, which is the minimum amount of data Windows is allowed to collect. On the same page you should also turn off the option that says Improve Inking and Typing, which records everything you type and write on your device to supposedly improve handwriting and keyboard recognition.

Disable Activity History

Windows has a feature called Activity History that tracks everything you do on your computer including which apps you open, which files you access, and which websites you visit, and it can sync all of this information to your Microsoft account stored on their servers. To disable this, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and click on Activity History. Turn off the toggle that says Store My Activity History on This Device and also make sure the option to send activity history to Microsoft is turned off. You can also click the Clear History button on the same page to delete everything that has already been recorded about your past activity.

Turn Off Location Tracking

Windows tracks your physical location and shares it with apps and Microsoft services by default. To stop this, open Settings and go to Privacy and Security, then click on Location. Turn off the main Location toggle at the top to disable location tracking for the entire system. You can also scroll down and individually manage which apps are allowed to access your location in case you want to keep it enabled for specific apps like maps while blocking it for everything else.

Disable Advertising ID

Windows assigns every user a unique advertising ID that tracks your interests and browsing behavior across apps and websites to serve you targeted advertisements. Disabling this does not stop ads from appearing but it does stop Windows from building a personal profile about your interests and sharing it with advertisers. To turn this off, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and click on General. Turn off the first toggle that says Let Apps Show Me Personalized Ads by Using My Advertising ID and also disable the other options on this page including the one that tracks app launches to improve your Start menu and search results.

Disable Cortana and Search Data Collection

Cortana is Microsoft's virtual assistant and it collects a significant amount of data including your voice recordings, search history, calendar information, and personal preferences to function properly. If you do not use Cortana regularly, it is best to disable it entirely. To do this, click on the Search bar in the taskbar, go to Search Settings, and turn off Search Highlights and Cloud Content Search. You can also go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and click on Speech to turn off online speech recognition, which stops Windows from sending your voice data to Microsoft's servers for processing.

Disable Background App Permissions

Many apps installed on Windows continue running in the background even when you are not actively using them, and during this time they can collect data, access your camera or microphone, and communicate with external servers. To control this, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and scroll through the list of permissions including Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Calendar, and others. For each one, you can see which apps have access and individually revoke permission for any app that does not genuinely need it.

Turn Off Timeline and Tailored Experiences

Windows also has a feature called Tailored Experiences which uses your diagnostic data to show you personalized tips, advertisements, and recommendations inside Windows itself. To disable this, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and click on Diagnostics and Feedback. Scroll down and turn off the toggle labeled Tailored Experiences. While you are there also turn off the Feedback Frequency setting by changing it to Never, which stops Windows from periodically asking you to send feedback about your experience.

Use a Local Account Instead of Microsoft Account

One of the most effective steps you can take to reduce data collection is switching from a Microsoft account login to a local account. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, a large amount of your activity, settings, and preferences are automatically synced and stored on Microsoft's cloud servers. Switching to a local account keeps everything stored only on your own device. To do this, go to Settings, then Accounts, click on Your Info, and select the option to Sign In with a Local Account Instead. Follow the prompts to create a local username and password and your account will no longer sync data to Microsoft's servers.

Use a Private Browser and DNS

Even after adjusting all Windows privacy settings, your browsing activity can still be tracked through your browser and your DNS provider. Switching to a privacy focused browser like Firefox or Brave significantly reduces online tracking, and changing your DNS server to Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 as covered in a previous article prevents your internet provider from logging every website you visit.

Keep Windows Updated Despite Privacy Concerns

Some people consider disabling Windows updates as a way to prevent data collection, but this is strongly not recommended. Windows updates contain critical security patches that protect your computer from hackers and malware, and disabling them leaves your system dangerously exposed. The better approach is to apply all the privacy settings described above while still keeping your system fully updated, giving you both security and privacy at the same time.

Taking back control of your privacy on Windows does not require any special technical skills or expensive software. By going through these settings carefully and making the right adjustments, you can dramatically reduce the amount of personal data Windows collects about you and enjoy a much more private and secure computing experience every single day.

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How to Remove Viruses for Free

A virus on your computer can cause all kinds of problems ranging from slow performance and random crashes to stolen passwords and corrupted files. The good news is that you do not need to spend any money on expensive software to clean your computer. There are several completely free and highly effective methods to detect and remove viruses from your PC without paying a single rupee or dollar. Here is a complete step by step guide on how to remove viruses from your computer for free.

Use Windows Defender First

The very first tool you should use is already built right into your Windows operating system and it is called Windows Defender, also known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Most people overlook this tool simply because it came pre-installed and they assume it is not powerful enough, but in reality Windows Defender has become one of the most capable antivirus solutions available today and it costs absolutely nothing. To run a full scan, open the Start menu and type Windows Security, click on it, then select Virus and Threat Protection from the left side menu. Click on Scan Options, choose Full Scan, and then click Scan Now. The process may take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour depending on how many files are on your computer. Once finished, Windows Defender will show you a list of any threats it found and give you the option to remove or quarantine them immediately.

Download Malwarebytes Free

If Windows Defender does not fully solve the problem, the next best free tool is Malwarebytes. This is one of the most trusted and widely recommended free antivirus and anti-malware programs in the world. To use it, go to malwarebytes.com on your browser and download the free version of the software. Install it by following the simple on-screen instructions, then open the program and click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will thoroughly scan every file and process running on your computer and display a detailed list of everything it finds. Once the scan is complete, click Quarantine to safely remove all detected threats. The free version of Malwarebytes is fully capable of detecting and removing even the most stubborn viruses, trojans, spyware, and adware that other tools sometimes miss.

Use Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

Another excellent free option is the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, which is a standalone program that does not require installation and can be downloaded directly from Kaspersky's official website. This tool is especially useful because it does not conflict with any existing antivirus software already installed on your computer, making it a perfect second opinion scanner. Simply download the file, run it directly from wherever you saved it, click Start Scan, and let it do its work. Once finished it will show all detected threats and allow you to delete or disinfect them with a single click.

Boot Into Safe Mode Before Scanning

One of the most effective tricks for removing stubborn viruses that keep coming back is running your antivirus scan in Safe Mode. Some viruses are smart enough to disable antivirus tools while Windows is running normally, but they cannot protect themselves when the system starts in Safe Mode because most programs including the virus itself are prevented from loading. To enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11, open the Start menu, click the Power button, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, and click Restart at the same time. When your computer restarts, choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Startup Settings, and finally click Restart. When the list appears, press the number 4 on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode. Once inside Safe Mode, run your preferred antivirus scan and the results will be far more thorough and effective.

Clear Temporary Files Before Scanning

Before running any antivirus scan, it is a very good idea to clear all temporary files from your computer first. Temporary files can sometimes hide malicious code and also slow down the scanning process significantly. To do this quickly, press the Windows key and R together on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, type the word temp and press enter, then select all files in the folder that opens and delete them. Repeat the same process by typing percent temp percent in the Run box and deleting those files as well. Finally type prefetch in the Run box, select all files, and delete those too. After clearing these files your antivirus scan will run faster and more accurately.

Check Your Browser for Malware

Many viruses and unwanted programs enter your computer through the browser and hide as extensions or add-ons that you never intentionally installed. To check this on Google Chrome, click the three dots in the top right corner, go to More Tools, then Extensions, and look through the list for anything suspicious or unfamiliar. Remove anything you do not recognize by clicking the Remove button next to it. You can also type chrome://settings/reset in the Chrome address bar and reset the browser completely to its original settings, which removes any malicious changes a virus may have made to your homepage, search engine, or startup pages.

Use AdwCleaner for Adware

If your browser is constantly showing unwanted pop-up ads, redirecting you to strange websites, or opening new tabs on its own, you likely have adware rather than a traditional virus. The best free tool for removing adware is AdwCleaner, developed by Malwarebytes and available for free download from their official website. Once downloaded, run the program, click Scan Now, and it will quickly identify all adware, unwanted programs, and browser hijackers on your system. Click Clean and Repair to remove everything it finds, and your browser should return to normal behavior immediately after a restart.

Reset Your PC as a Last Resort

If none of the above methods fully resolve the problem and your computer is still behaving strangely, the most powerful free solution is resetting Windows completely. This reinstalls the operating system while giving you the option to keep your personal files safe. To do this, open Settings, click on Update and Security, then select Recovery from the left menu. Click Get Started under the Reset this PC section and choose whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choosing Remove Everything will result in the cleanest and most virus-free system possible, though you will need to reinstall your programs afterward.

How to Prevent Viruses in Future

Removing a virus is only half the battle. Keeping your computer clean afterward is equally important. Always keep Windows and all your software updated since most updates contain important security patches that close vulnerabilities viruses use to enter your system. Never download software from unofficial or suspicious websites and always use trusted sources. Avoid clicking on unknown links in emails or messages even if they appear to come from someone you know. Keep Windows Defender running at all times and run a Malwarebytes scan at least once a month as a routine checkup even if everything seems fine.

Taking care of your computer's security does not have to cost money. With the right free tools and a little bit of awareness about safe browsing habits, you can keep your PC completely virus-free without ever spending anything at all.

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Top AI Tools for Your PC in 2026

Artificial intelligence has completely transformed the way people use their computers. Not long ago, artificial intelligence was considered an exclusive technology reserved for large organizations and scientific laboratories, completely out of reach for ordinary everyday users. Today in 2026, powerful AI tools are available right on your personal computer, and many of them are completely free or very affordable. Whether you are a student, a content creator, a business professional, or just someone who wants to get more done in less time, there is an AI tool designed exactly for your needs. Here is a complete guide to the top AI tools you should have on your PC in 2026.

ChatGPT by OpenAI

ChatGPT is a straightforward and beginner friendly AI tool capable of assisting users with a wide range of tasks including content writing, conducting research, generating new ideas, and finding solutions to complex problems. It is particularly good at document analysis — through the chat interface, you can upload PDFs, spreadsheets, screenshots, and other files, and ask it to summarize insights or highlight trends in data. ChatGPT also has a desktop application for Windows, meaning you no longer need to open a browser every time you want to use it. As of 2026, ChatGPT is considered the best overall AI tool for most people, being the most versatile with the best memory features, and working well for everything from quick questions to image generation and deep research. A free account is available with some usage limits, while paid plans start at a very affordable monthly price.

Claude by Anthropic

Claude is known to engage more carefully with the actual nuance of what you are asking. Claude runs directly in your browser and also has a desktop application, making it extremely accessible. Claude is particularly recommended for writing code and automating processes, and its long context window makes it ideal for working with very large documents or lengthy projects that other tools struggle to handle.

Google Gemini

Gemini is the AI assistant from Google and one of the most popular AI tools because of its multiple uses, including helping with research, writing, data analysis, and multimedia creation. Gemini can handle large amounts of text at once, so if you are uploading long papers or dense documents, you can ask detailed questions about them and the tool can provide accurate responses. Gemini's advanced Deep Research feature is capable of dividing heavily detailed research topics into manageable sections and presenting the findings in the form of well structured and engaging reports that users can easily interact with. Since Gemini is deeply integrated with Google's ecosystem including Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Drive, it is an especially powerful choice for users who already rely on Google services daily.

Microsoft Copilot

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Copilot, a built-in AI assistant accessible from the taskbar or via the Win and C shortcut. It can summarize content, generate images, change system settings, and answer questions without ever leaving your desktop. This makes it one of the most convenient AI tools available since it requires no installation and works seamlessly across your entire Windows experience. Copilot works across your PC context including files, apps, and settings, so you can draft, plan, or recap without switching tools. For everyday Windows users who want a quick and integrated AI assistant, Copilot is the most effortless option available.

Grammarly

Many people think of Grammarly as nothing more than a basic spelling correction tool, but its capabilities in 2026 go far beyond simple grammar fixes. When you run your writing through Grammarly, it analyzes your tone, suggests ways to make your sentences cleaner and more concise, and even offers full paragraph rewrites with a single click. The free plan includes 100 AI prompts per month, while the premium version works directly inside Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and your browser as you type. It is an essential tool for anyone who writes regularly whether for work, school, or blogging.

Runway ML

Runway ML is one of the leading tools for video and visual creation on PC, helping content creators generate, edit, and enhance video content using advanced AI models. It allows you to remove backgrounds from videos automatically, generate entirely new video scenes from text descriptions, and apply professional level editing effects without any traditional video editing experience. For YouTubers, bloggers, and social media creators, Runway ML has become one of the most valuable AI tools available in 2026.

ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs is a powerful voice generation platform capable of producing remarkably natural sounding speech from plain text input, supporting dozens of languages and accents with impressive accuracy. Content creators use it to generate voiceovers for videos without recording their own voice, while businesses use it to build automated customer service voice agents. A generous free tier is available, making it accessible for individual creators and small projects without any upfront cost.

Notion AI

Notion AI comes integrated inside the widely used Notion productivity platform, offering users the ability to draft notes, condense lengthy documents into shorter summaries, pull out key action points from meeting records, and transform scattered thoughts into well organized written content. For daily productivity, Notion AI is among the strongest choices for desktop users who want AI assistance integrated directly into their workspace and document management system. It is especially powerful for teams and individuals who already organize their work, projects, and notes inside Notion.

Perplexity AI

Perplexity is the best AI for research because it cites its sources, making it far more reliable than tools that generate answers without showing where the information came from. Every answer it provides includes direct links to the original sources, allowing you to verify facts and explore topics more deeply. For students, journalists, and anyone doing serious research online, Perplexity has become an indispensable tool that combines the power of AI with the trustworthiness of cited references.

Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion WebUI runs locally on your own computer using your graphics card, making it one of the most powerful free AI image generation tools available today. Unlike cloud based image generators that require an internet connection and often charge per image, Stable Diffusion lets you generate unlimited images completely free once it is properly set up. It gives users full control over the style, content, and quality of generated images, making it the top choice for graphic designers, artists, and creative professionals who want maximum freedom without ongoing costs.

Final Thoughts

The AI software landscape on PC in 2026 has matured into something truly remarkable, offering tools that give everyday users real control, speed, and creative freedom that was simply not possible before. Whether you are a marketer, designer, developer, or student, there is now an AI application tailored specifically for your needs and budget. The smartest approach is to start with one or two tools that match your most common daily tasks, get comfortable using them, and gradually explore others as your confidence and needs grow. The future of personal computing is already here, and these AI tools are the clearest proof of that.

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