madaidans-insecurities.github.io VS Windows11_Privacy

Recommend reading the Linux sections on https://madaidans-insecurities.github.io/

That's somewhat telling and can be used to "track" you, consider reading on non-Reddit privsec learning resources like Privacy Guides itself which you already know, PrivSec.Dev, madaidan's Insecurities and the like.

Considering the offer is legitimate (something I won't comment on), you shouldn't do most of these things, in my opinion. Don't mess with what'll be other people's phones. Sell them Pixels pre-installed with GrapheneOS and print papers with Auditor attestation instructions and maybe a few QR codes directing them to relevant documentation and privsec learning resources, such as the GrapheneOS documentation first and foremost, Privacy Guides, madaidan's Insecurities, PrivSec.dev, Seirdy's Home, Wonderfall's Lab, etc...

i never used it myself. only learned about it from security experts like madaidan or hardening guides like this one.

For some excellent advice on security and privacy based on thoroughly researched technical concerns rather than speculation or blind trust in your corporation of choice, see here: https://madaidans-insecurities.github.io/

checkout these two pages. there’s some other alternatives like SophiApp and Windows10Debloater, but i find following the microsoft documentation linked in the first two pages to be a lot more effective. since you’re doing everything yourself, you know exactly what is being changed and you won’t get any surprises if a feature you do like no longer works or works differently than expected. it isn’t too hard to do either, all of it is just registry keys you can copy and paste or group policy options

Here you can read more about telemetry on Windows: https://github.com/beerisgood/Windows11_Privacy

I hear your concerns. First, please consider that the WORST possible outcome from being privacy conscious is ending up living in fear or limiting personal expression. Even if you live under a repressive regime you can live free in your thoughts. Please, I encourage you not to become overwhelmed, disheartened, or stop living freely out of fear! Pragmatically – Microsoft has decided to include more and more intrusive telemetry with Windows. They saw Google and Facebook making a bunch of dough from prying into your private stuff and wanted to get in on that money. This is especially troubling because the telemetry can be OS wide with Windows. If you want to really dig deep on what Windows collects start here. The only way to really control telemetry on Windows is in Education or Enterprise editions through Group Policy controls. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t offer Education or Enterprise for sale to individuals. Microsoft used to offer an “Ultimate” edition that was essentially Enterprise, but doesn’t do this anymore. There are ways to get Education or Enterprise editions and activate them ;) . This violates Microsoft TOS and is not legal. Microsoft could crack down on individual use of Enterprise or Education editions by individuals at any time, and could even pursue legal action if they really felt like making an example by crushing a little guy! Practically speaking, with Home or Pro Windows, you can toggle what they let you toggle - https://archive.ph/L9Xxc (edited link b/c AutoMod). Disconnect (unplug) network access. Boot up and toggle changes, and then connect to your network. When you say “programs for creativity” I assume you’re talking about Adobe? It’s true that Adobe is notoriously incompatible with Linux even with WINE, and especially with Adobe’s subscription model. I’m not a professional or power-user, so I don’t need Adobe products. You can check out FOSS creativity apps (even on Windows) and see if they work for you. There are creative professionals who solely use FOSS creative software, so these apps are professional grade tools (the following list is not comprehensive – but a good start): https://opensource.com/article/22/2/open-source-creative-apps EDIT: As an afterthought: It is closed source and paid ($39 for full features) but a user friendly way to control and monitor network traffic on Windows is Glasswire. It's "Ask to Connect" setting lets you block network connections per application until you allow them - so you can research what a process is and does before allowing to "phone home".

Deactivate telemetry as much as possible: https://github.com/beerisgood/Windows11_Privacy Do not use third-party tools. In case of Windows Pro you cannot deactivate telemetry entirely, thus it is adviced to use a network firewall to filter Microsoft connections.

You can configure Windows quite privately, as long as you use Enterprise or Education edition. Home Edition on the other hand is pretty bad. Go through Microsoft's documentation to see, what you can deactivate. https://github.com/beerisgood/Windows11_Privacy