Installing Windows 10 can pose privacy risks due to data collection and tracking features.
Installing Windows 10 can pose privacy risks due to data collection and tracking features.
You seem to think Windows hasn't been secretly watching you for years—maybe you're a bit naive. What really counts is how the data is handled. So far, Microsoft has done a good job, and we should hope they keep it that way. If not, I'll stick with Windows just for gaming and handle important tasks on Linux, as I should be doing but have been too lazy to actually try (and I'd need a bigger SSD for dual booting).
Your IP address is routed through a proxy, which means it doesn't affect your current situation. You might need to provide an IP from another country.
I haven't actually set up a Windows 10 readiness alert on my desktop, even though I've saved it. Using it on other devices would be a bad idea because it shares Wi-Fi passwords and raises privacy worries. I've been running Linux across all my machines except the desktop. If I could make my games drive compatible with Steam's Wine installation, I'd never go back to Windows again! Sure, for privacy matters it's not the main concern, but more about control. I don't trust a company that can track me and act without permission. Since I work for an antivirus firm, I'm wary of Windows' security. It's improving, but there are still vulnerabilities intentionally left for certain organizations to exploit. If someone discovers a flaw, they could exploit it.