Windows Privacy
The latest Windows Privacy coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
BGR's New Browser Security Checklist: Secure Your Passwords, Extensions, and AI Settings in 2025
The browser security playbook just got a rewrite. A new guide from BGR, published July 19, argues that the very features most users ignore—or outright disable—are now the keys to a safer online...
Your Windows PC Has a Hidden ID That Survives VPNs — and It’s Now a Federal Case
On June 30, 2026, a federal cybercrime complaint unsealed in the case against an alleged Scattered Spider member did more than detail a botched ransomware attempt. It laid bare a Windows feature that...
Microsoft’s Copilot Now Offers a Windows 11 System Health Report, But It Still Can’t Diagnose Problems
Microsoft is giving Windows 11 users a new way to check on their PC’s basic health without digging through menus. A feature called PC Insights has started rolling out to U.S. users, delivering a...
OpenAI’s New Family-Focused Role Hints at ChatGPT for Kids and Seniors, but No Family Plan in Sight
OpenAI posted a job listing this week for a San Francisco–based product manager tasked with building features for families, caregivers, and older adults. The move signals that the company is...
Microsoft's Bing Search Now Shows a Biased Edge vs. Chrome Comparison—Here's What to Do
Microsoft is using Bing's search results page to promote its Edge browser over Google Chrome with a comparison chart that marks Edge as superior in every category—including a self-awarded...
Windows 11's GDID Identifier Returns After Deletion, Undermining VPN Privacy
Security researcher Korben published a detailed walkthrough on May 17, 2026, exposing how the Windows 11 General Device Identifier (GDID) persists even after users delete its corresponding registry...
Microsoft Shared Device IP History with FBI, Linking Teen to Scattered Spider Cybercrime Group
In a case that exposes the depth of data Windows quietly collects, Microsoft handed the FBI a detailed log of every IP address linked to a single Windows device—using its unique Global Device...
AdGuard VPN Hits the Microsoft Store: Smoother Updates for Windows Users, Same Subscription Model
AdGuard VPN is now a single click away for Windows users. On July 3, 2026, AdGuard quietly published its full-featured VPN client to the Microsoft Store, marking the first time the app can be...
Edge Beta 150 Now Lets You Sign In With Google Account — Full Sync and Enterprise Controls
Microsoft Edge Beta 150 landed on June 11, 2026, with a feature that blurs the line between browser ecosystems like never before: native support for Google account sign-in in browser profiles. The...
O&O ShutUp10 3.0.1076 Introduces Premium Privacy Enforcement That Survives Windows Updates
O&O Software has released version 3.0.1076 of its popular privacy tool O&O ShutUp10, bringing a long-requested feature: a Premium edition that monitors and automatically restores...
Microsoft Edge Copilot Update Adds Multi-Tab Reasoning, Journeys & AI Browser Control
Microsoft dropped a major update to Edge’s Copilot on May 13, 2026, rolling out a suite of AI features that transform the browser into an intelligent companion. The expansion, available across...
Windows Privacy Investigation: How Your Browser Activity Leaves Persistent Digital Trails
Windows maintains more browser activity traces than most users realize, creating a comprehensive digital footprint that extends far beyond simple browser history lists. Even when users avoid explicit...