Windows 8 privacy concerns

[yeoo_andy_ni]

Here's a can of worms being opened! I've got a couple of questions regarding Windows 8 RTM.

Firstly, anyone else installed it, without activating? I am waiting for my key on the 15th via MSDN.

Secondly, I am concerned that signing in using my Windows Live ID (the same one I use for my Windows Phone), has implications that it will be easier for people to see and know what you're doing. Anyone else have the same fears or reservations?

[Motoko.]

Here's a can of worms being opened! I've got a couple of questions regarding Windows 8 RTM.

Firstly, anyone else installed it, without activating? I am waiting for my key on the 15th via MSDN.

Secondly, I am concerned that signing in using my Windows Live ID (the same one I use for my Windows Phone), has implications that it will be easier for people to see and know what you're doing. Anyone else have the same fears or reservations?

Yeah I had the same thoughts when I tried the CP

What I did was create a seperate live account and use that with Windows 8

[J.Jensen]

By signing in to your Microsoft account from Windows 8 you only sync the settings you have chosen from "PC settings" and store your login information for easier access on apps that you need to login to. It don't do anything behind your back that you are not in control of.

[Raa]

It don't do anything behind your back that you are not in control of.

Source?

Call me paranoid (many do), or tell me to get my tinfoil hat out, but how do you/we actually know this?

[BajiRav]

Here's a can of worms being opened! I've got a couple of questions regarding Windows 8 RTM.

Firstly, anyone else installed it, without activating? I am waiting for my key on the 15th via MSDN.

Secondly, I am concerned that signing in using my Windows Live ID (the same one I use for my Windows Phone), has implications that it will be easier for people to see and know what you're doing. Anyone else have the same fears or reservations?

Let me get this straight - you are worried about Microsoft being able to see and know what you are doing with your Microsoft account? :laugh:

On a more serious note, use a local account if you have concerns.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

In the RTM version, do you still have to sign in with your MS ID at least once to be able to get access to apps like Mail, Calendar, Messaging even if you're using a local account?

[djdanster]

In the RTM version, do you still have to sign in with your MS ID at least once to be able to get access to apps like Mail, Calendar, Messaging even if you're using a local account?

Unfortunately yes :(. it's a real pain for my work PC, I want the mail set up with my personal account but not messaging or calendar!!! Also endless hassle importing from outlook to Mail - i haven't found solution yet...

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

Unfortunately yes :(.

Thanks! Too bad. I wonder why they're not giving you the choice?!

[Lucas]

Thanks! Too bad. I wonder why they're not giving you the choice?!

Because they want to force you to use it and probably be able to know more about their customers, etc.

[rorrr]

In the RTM version, do you still have to sign in with your MS ID at least once to be able to get access to apps like Mail, Calendar, Messaging even if you're using a local account?

you sign in to those apps just like you sign in to any website. it's no different. you can log on with a local account and sign into the apps. it's just like signing into iTunes. the purpose of this is that your purchases are connected to your Microsoft account and to allow you to sync data across devices if you want.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

you sign in to those apps just like you sign in to any website. it's no different. you can log on with a local account and sign into the apps. it's just like signing into iTunes.

Huh? I don't have to sign into iTunes to use it. Neither am I accustomed to being forced to sign into my Calendar. And the only login information i should have to provide for Mail, or Messaging (or, in fact, Calendar) should be for the account I'm using them with?!

the purpose of this is that your purchases are connected to your Microsoft account and to allow you to sync data across devices if you want.

What purchases? What if I don't want to sync data across devices?

[Argi]

What purchases? What if I don't want to sync data across devices?

Then use a local account.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

Then use a local account.

I am using a local account. And still am unable to access certain apps without providing a Microsoft account.

[azspeedbullet]

if microsoft finds you are using a crack win8, can they ban your account?

[PGHammer]

Here's a can of worms being opened! I've got a couple of questions regarding Windows 8 RTM.

Firstly, anyone else installed it, without activating? I am waiting for my key on the 15th via MSDN.

Secondly, I am concerned that signing in using my Windows Live ID (the same one I use for my Windows Phone), has implications that it will be easier for people to see and know what you're doing. Anyone else have the same fears or reservations?

And in what way is this different from OS X (back to Tiger), Android, or iOS?

Google Accounts (the single sign-on for all things Google) is what Android uses for *everything* - including *activating* Android devices - and is usually based on GMail/GoogleMail

Apple uses Apple IDs for all Apple services (including OS registration). Not just OS X, but iOS as well.

Microsoft is, if anything, late.

I've used Passport as my single sign-on for all things Microsoft for years - and over the test of time, I've found it not only no more prone to breaches than any of my other sign-ons, but less vulnerable (by far) than most - in fact, it has had the fewest breaches - none - of any of my sign-ons (followed by Facebook and Yahoo, with a single breach apiece; despite my FB sign-on being my Yahoo e-mail address, the breaches are not related). Google? Three breaches.

[PGHammer]

I am using a local account. And still am unable to access certain apps without providing a Microsoft account.

If what you are signing into is a *service* of any sort, then that is likely why.

My Microsoft Account dates back to the old Passport service of 2000, and it's been the preferred method of signing in to all things Microsoft - and they haven't made a secret of it (any more than Apple has with the Apple ID). You *can* have multiple Passports/Microsoft Accounts, just as you can have multiple Apple IDs. However, due to how usage of the Microsoft Account has expanded across all of Microsoft's services (the addition of XBOX.COM in 2005, for example), I haven't needed to. That same leverage has also made my transition from Hotmail to Outlook.com extremely painless - for the simple reason that signing in didn't change at all.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

If what you are signing into is a *service* of any sort, then that is likely why.

It is what I see when I'm trying to launch the Calendar application (in the RP). Is that considered a 'service' now?

[efjay]

It is what I see when I'm trying to launch the Calendar application (in the RP). Is that considered a 'service' now?

Not sure what the problem is, the Mail, Calendar, Messaging, are all designed to use a Microsoft account, if you don't login with one how are they supposed to work? They have to pull that data and need credentials to login, how is that a surprise? And if you don't want to use the builtin apps then there is Outlook or maybe in the future a 3rd party client. Seems logical to be able to use a MS service you login with a MS account. Wouldn't try to login to your gmail without your gmail login details, would you?

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

Not sure what the problem is, the Mail, Calendar, Messaging, are all designed to use a Microsoft account, if you don't login with one how are they supposed to work?

Just like any other Mail, Calendar or Messaging application?! If they're designed to (only) use and work with a Microsoft account, then that exactly is the problem. Makes them less useful than they could be. The comparison with a web service like Gmail is probably apt in that case.