While Windows 10 offers comprehensive privacy settings for Windows 10, it can be time-consuming and confusing. This is the reason why we have seen so many privacy tools for Windows 10. Today we are talking about such a privacy tool Debotnet. It’s a free portable tool that can help end users keep personal data truly private, and also offers adjustments to keep Windows 10 cleaner.
Manage Windows 10 privacy settings with Debotnet
When you first install Windows 10, the operating system prompts you to customize the privacy settings for Windows 10. Although you should do it now, but most of us end up choosing express settings, and c therein lies the problem. Windows 10 offers teleme3try features, which can collect a lot of data. Even if you switch to Basic, they still collect. So there is no way to turn it off.
Using Debotnet, you can disable these scripts for which Windows does not offer an option. What’s interesting about Debotnet is that it can also prevent some of the popular third-party software from collecting your data.
What can Debotnet disable or remove?
- The Start section offers a handy option that can have an impact on privacy.
- Uninstall unnecessary software from Windows
- Disable or remove Cortana
- Remove classic Windows apps, including calculator, paint, and sticky notes
- You can choose to prevent the installation of Edge Chrome via Windows Update or to neutralize Edge
- Disable game bar functionality, password reveal button, Windows Media DRM Internet access
- Delete reserved storage, restore system
- Delayed feature updates
- Updates to storage apps, but keep bloatware away
- Disable driver update via Windows 10 Update
- Disable or enable sharing of Windows updates on the Internet or intranet
- Disable Windows Defender, enable PUA, or remove Windows Defender.
- Debug mode. For example, the Test mode allows you to see which values are twisted in the register or the executed commands
- Run multiple scripts at once.
That said, it does offer many additional features, including the ability to download third-party software. While they are useful, make sure you understand what you are downloading. Applications like Patch My PC, WIM Tweak, etc.
- Offers third-party tools that can help you uninstall preinstalled apps and remove Windows components with a single command.
- Offers links to third-party applications can be downloaded as Ninite applications. The installation will only be done in the background.
- Block Chrome Software Reporting Tool
- Disable Acrobat Reader online service and CCleaner monitoring
- Improve CCleaner with Winapp2.ini. It is a database of extended cleaning routines for CCleaner, providing Windows 2400+ users with additional community-created cleaners.
How does Debotnet work?
When you extract the download package, it contains a script folder. These are PowerShell scripts that the software executes to activate or deactivate the privacy functions. When you choose one of the options, it simply runs the script. Script files contain clear instructions on registry keys, files, and / or services that should be disabled, blocked, deleted, etc. and preserved by the program. Whenever you want to go back, uncheck the option, and it will execute the script to cancel.
To configure an option, check the corresponding box, then click Launch script. It will execute the script and display the output in the same window. You should receive success or failure accordingly. Do not worry; it works most of the time. To return, click on the Cancel script link on these parameters.
That said, while Debotnet is a great tool, the option to download third-party software was not really necessary. In addition, after each major update, rerun the scripts. You will need to write down the scripts you have run to make sure you can run them later. I want the software to have a list on the dashboard where all of the changes you made were available, and the user can apply them all at once after a major feature update.
Nevertheless, the software is well done in terms of usability, and the options, and what it will do, are well explained. Not all software does this, so anyone using the app can understand what they are going to disable or enable. I hope you find Debotnet easy to configure Windows privacy. You can download Debotnet from Github.