Lucinda, A lot of the settings this program makes possible will be rolled back, when Microsoft updates. That means, you'll have to repeat ypor chosen settings with Privacy Protector. However the licence expires after 6 month, and you'll have to buy the program to stay protected from Microsoft spying on you. Try and take a look at O&O Shut Up, which is free : https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Pardon my grammar. English isn't my native language :)
l

Allan F, thanks for your reply. Will check out the reviews for the shutup10 software (love the name ha!).
Lucinda

Technics, Depends on how paranoid you are about what 'data' is sent to Microsoft. They're not recording everything you do and everything you click on, despite what others say. There are easy-to-run scripts like O&O ShutUp which does pretty much the same thing, but much more granular. However, it should be noted that several options can break some things, like Cortana (the search assistant) or the history in the Run dialog. OK, some people don't like Microsoft knowing they ran Calculator twelve times yesterday, but they're not going to pick you out on the street, or knock on your door - they're just building up statistics. Amazon knows more about you than Microsoft does, and these people wobbling on about 'privacy' have no qualms about buying a garlic press from Amazon for $3.99.

Todd,
I don't miss it. I'm still using Windows 7. It's good with system security updates til 2023.

tayz,
If someone offers a free VW steeringwheel, om not gonna post: "Not everybody has a VW. A lot of us drive Fords ...

tayz, Maybe, but Windows 10 accounts for 78% of Windows users. Windows 7 is 16%. There is no reason to continue to use an out-dated, non-supported operating system. Software needs to support the current operating system in use - otherwise it would be pointless having PS4 consoles, and we may as well continue with Atari 2600 cartridges.

Chris, +1, simple as that and also PS5 now :-)

TK, "To summerise NEWER IS NOT UNIVERSALLY BETTER"

I knew it was you, before I read the name. Knew you'd bite. I'll let you get off your high horse before I fully reply. I won't add unnecessary capitalised words though, as I'm not six years old.
I never said newer is better - I was (correctly, despite your objections) that Windows 10 has a greater market share than Windows 7, and thus, software has to reflect that. I skimmed over your other points as you were just firing on all cylinders, and shouting like an angry Karen.

TK, I support your views 100%, I couldn't express them better! Add to your diatribe the all-out drive by Redmond to kill win7, just like it did to winxp, by collusion with the major pc producers to make disappear all drivers for the earlier oses. Also, the newer bioses prevent one from the start to install any os other than win10 - if that isnt antitrust stuff, what is?
P.

TK, Look don't expect companies to support old software and hardware. Technology is always moving forward. Do you expect Microsoft to continue supporting MSDOS or Windows 3.1 or 95? Expect Apple to continue supporting the first iPhone? Windows 7 is 11 years old. When would be the "ideal" time for you companies to stop supporting it? Like never? You cannot expect companies to support every single one of their products forever.

It's the way technology is. It keeps moving forward.

Chris, & TK this platform is for people to discuss the merits or demerits of the software being offered for download, not for people to argue about which OS is better. For crying out loud, nobody really cares what OS you use, that's up to the individual to decide.

Malcolm Z,

Not to be nit-picky bit obviously a lot pf people care about what OS other people use. Whether it's any of their business is a completely different question.

Malcolm Z, " For crying out loud, nobody really cares what OS you use, that's up to the individual to decide"
Indeed, but I was just arguing with the other commenter about 'Not everyone has Windows 10' and 'Everyone is still on Windows 7'. That's not the case, and there is a market for this program. (if you're paranoid enough, of course).
It should be noted that a lot of this software is just gloop like Registry Defragmenters and System Cleaners - it's a pretty air freshener to hang on your computer, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not going to do any real benefit, it's not going to make a difference to your day, and it's not going to speed up your machine. Most people want software that makes their day a bit easier and gets tasks done better - this software won't achieve any of these goals.

Richard Woodley, You just hit the nail on the head. As an IT veteran, I tell people the absolute *BEST* OS, laptop, desktop, tablet, smart phone, etc..., is the one that meets *YOUR* needs! If you are still on XP, you are vulnerable if you are online. Win 7 was one of my faves of all time. That said, 10 runs just fine for me. If XP meets your needs, just be careful and watch out for viruses/trojans.

Darian A Caplinger, The issue is, more and more software doesn't support XP. I help support DB Browser for SQLite, which is a cross-platform application, and it uses Qt (cross platform framework) which no longer supports XP, which means our application no longer supports XP. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox have dropped support. Even internally, network protocols no longer support XP, like TLS. .Net runtimes have stopped at v4.8 which means newer applications may not run.
XP is dead. 'If it fits your needs' then yes, but those needs will change - you'll need to backup your machine to be secure, and backup software won't run, etc - patches and fixes will stop soon. It's all a wacko argument off-topic about this software, but one that people shouldn't be downvoted for. Some valid points in this thread and wish there was a nice place to discuss about it.