Does Windows 10 Have a Key Logger Built In and How To Disable it?

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There are some concerns floating around about Windows 10’s endless privacy issues. This time is about information collected and sent to Microsoft from your Windows 10 computer. According to this Microsoft’s own speech, inking, typing, and privacy FAQ, Microsoft does admit that:

When you interact with your Windows device by speaking, writing (handwriting), or typing, Microsoft collects speech, inking, and typing information—including information about your Calendar and People (also known as contacts)—that helps personalize your experience.

We also collect your typed and handwritten words to improve character recognition and provide you with a personalized user dictionary and text completion suggestions. Some of this data is stored on your device and some is sent to Microsoft to help improve these services.

Even though the intention for collecting such information is to improve Windows 10’s ability to correctly recognize your input for speech, inking, as well as Cortana, the behavior does fit the definition of Key Logging category.

If this concerns you, here is how you can disable it:

Basically, it’s the Getting to know me feature that acts like a keylogger. Turning it off completely shuts the door for Windows to collect your typing information. And you can do so by opening Settings app, go to Privacy → Speech, inking, & typing, click Stop getting to know me button.

Windows 10 settings Privacy speech inking typing 600x418 - Does Windows 10 Have a Key Logger Built In and How To Disable it?

The downside of stopping the Getting to know me feature is that it also stops you from properly using Cortana as well (though you’ll still be able to use Narrator and Speech Recognition on your device). So if you are a hardcore Cortana user, you should leave the Getting to know me to run but instead, disable the setting that sends the info to Microsoft.

Open Settings app, go to Privacy and turn off the setting “Send Microsoft info about how I write to help use improve typing and writing in the future” in General section.

Windows 10 Settings Privacy Send Microsoft info about 600x418 - Does Windows 10 Have a Key Logger Built In and How To Disable it?

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