I found that running program reset some of my own Privacy settings under the Windows settings menu back to non-private, such as use my advertising id. This is not good.

Also I dont think it makes it clear when a setting has been changed, I feel after you have clicked the Fix Privacy button, there should be an indication that the items you ticked have been changed, particularly since when I ran it, it told me I couldn't create a system restore point, so I was unclear it had continued and done the other changes.

On the whole I find Safer-Networking's Spybot Anti-Beacon better, being more comprehensive and more intuitive (and free).

Was disappointed in Privacy protector, but think it has potential with a few modifications. The main one to me is don't change my privacy settings Ive set myself under the windows setup menu. That definitely needs fixing

The votes on this site are so confusing. For those of us who are not so tech savvy, you would think a high thumbs up vote would mean that the software is highly useful and desired. But, if you read the comments, it is often just the opposite. It would be nice if there were one place to vote in favor of a product and then, as it is now, a separate place to vote on comments made. Just my two cents that I will likely share again tomorrow since most have already read the comments. I love the opportunities this site affords me, but it has a very baffling voting system.

Another good read here

http://www.howtogeek.com/224616/30-ways-windows-10-phones-home/

I installed this software for testing purposes on Win 10 Pro! I was able to stop the Bing Search and do a couple other things! I do like the optional categories and things it offers and will be holding on to it! Since I am on a Beta Win 10 I will be careful using this! I hate everything BING and wish MS would just get out of the search arena altogether.

Thank You SoftOrbits and GOTD for this opportunity!

Maybe we need something like this for Win7 and 8 as well as it is also being installed on them

http://forums.afterdawn.com/threads/video-microsoft-increases-secrecy-expands-spyware-to-windows-7-and-8.758301/#post-5070572

I fail to see why so many would pay for this GAOTD when the logical answer to these intrusive Microsoft policies is to just NOT use Windows 10. Last time I checked, Win7 was working just fine. YMMV.

Bug : Even though I haven't selected 'Disable Bing', it completely disabled Bing Search, how to fix it?

The problem with programs like this is that Microsoft considers Windows 10 an ever evolving work in progress. Using a third party program to do these types of tweaks might end up getting reversed anyway after an update/upgrade from Windows and could even theoretically cause problems with an update since it changes settings using an elevated Administrator Privilege that disables feature within Windows in a way where they can no longer be turned back on except via the third party program. I had a similar program and started to have a lot of stability problems after a few Windows updates. I have no idea if the privacy program was part of the problem or not but I'm not taking the chance and installing another one. If the setting can't be changed within the Windows interface itself then there's a pretty good chance it's something you aren't supposed to change and that Microsoft doesn't expect to be changed, which could cause you problems down the line when you get new updates.

Win 10 spying is built into the operating system and every time you restart the computer what ever was loaded to musk the spying options are reset to the win 10 defaults. It is for your own ego to install and run this software, but will not protect you from win 10 spying.

Having reviewed the comments to date, I find there are too many unanswered questions with regard to this product. As such I will definitely pass on this one.
Otherwise keep up the good work Giveaway!

I see a trend here where we will wake up one morning and Windows 10 will pop up installed by all the updates to Windows 8.1. I'd like to see this possibility with Windows 7 but most of these computers may have difficulty managing the complexity of such a change.

The fact that this has over 190 thumbs up already is a little suspicious... especially with only 18 comments on the software. Looking at the range of issues people are experiencing with System Restore and other IE-oriented issues, I am avoiding this one, thanks though, GOTD.

lol,Softorbits and 82% rating,I almost can't believe because (almost) every their software licence doesn't work after backup/restore and it often crash for me.
I use shutup10+this script http://www.hwinfo.com/misc/RemoveW10Bloat.htm
and I blocked Microsoft over COMODO firewall,svchost and system send sometimes something (around 1kb only) otherwise I have no problems.

Activating, software froze and had to be stopped. First run said it could not create a restore point. Not a good start.

For the people who say this type of program doesn't work or the settings don't stay or stick, you may have to reboot, at least I found that to be the case. However, I also found that Windows Update may reset all changes, so you may have to use this type of program regularly. It is difficult to be sure which changes survive a Windows Update, if any, but some programs, like Shutup10, have a setting which remembers what changes you made, and restore them. Just FYI.

Like it so far. This is a keeper for me. Ticked all boxes except Windows Defender and zapped Win 10. Got message it could not fix a restore point but System Restore was already disabled as I never use it. Noted clicking on start no longer throws Apps onto screen. Ran program again leaving all boxes unchecked and all changes reverted to settings prior to getting this software. Placed a few handy items like settings (for Win Updating), Notepad, paint, disc cleaner etc on lower taskbar. Then zapped Win 10 again
leaving only Windows Defender unchecked. Verdict so far - Great!

Ummmm..... Media Center was removed from Windows 10. This is well known, and kind of a big deal. These guys apparently missed that memo.

@SoftOrbits
"Some Privacy Fixes cannot be reversed even via System Recovery "
Please elaborate.

Is this an insult to Microsoft?
Their Windows 10 is so bad that other companies sell software to "cure" the harm that comes with Windows 10?
Oh, wait. Maybe it is not an insult. Maybe it is the truth.
For those who jumped at the free of charge chance to "upgrade" their Windows 7 to Windows 10.
Please Google the issue first. There are horrors that users write about.
And it is not entirely true that you can turn back anytime to Win7.
After the "upgrade" and downgrade to Win7, your system is not the same.
Your desktop home computer is your desktop. Don't let an OS bully you into treating it as a hybrid of desktop+mobile.
Who needs the freaking useless mobile "apps"?
Stick with XP Pro and if you want to upgrade, Windows 7 Professional.
Hands off Windows 10.
There is a price to pay for "free upgrade" to Windows 10.

This should NOT be used by those using Windows 10 as part of the Insider Program. It can disable your ability to update. There are certain privacy features that have to be enabled for it to work.

It's also worth noting that disabling some settings will disable some of the Windows 10 features like Cortana. The data gathered is used in a similar way to the way cookies work.

So it seems Microsoft is back-porting all the snooping stuff into Windows 7 and 8.1, and this software claims to work there too, which could be handy for some people. I think I'll give it a go...
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2989896/microsoft-windows/windows-snooping-and-nagging-patches-return-kb-3035583-kb-2952664.html

I have tried several of these programs and I'm not entirely sure if they work.

If you switch off a feature with one program then another seems to find it still switched on.
There is a onedrive setting that is reversed but no idea which program is at fault.

This program doesn't seem to report what the current settings are. So that's a thumbs down.

An expert review of these programs pitted against each other is needed - anyone ?

This is also free:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-4-windows-10

This is also freeware :)

https://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pin/1004/security-software/Antispy-for-Windows-10

Similar product and freeware:

http://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Anyway, thanks giveway and softorbits for sharing.

It is extremely easy to modify the services without any 3rd party program but I guess the convenience of having all the iffy tracking services shown with a simple checkbox to enable/disable could be handy. It also offers a HOSTS blacklist function to help prevent visiting known malicious sites and several other tools. All in all not the most useful program & one you would most likely used only few times but no harm in giving it a try.

People considering trying this software would certainly benefit from reading comments for the previous SoftOrbits giveaway:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/photo-makeup/#comments

In short, this is how I just explained my downvote: "SoftOrbits giveaways don't stay activated"