When MSRT runs via Windows Update, it sends a report back to Microsoft indicating whether malware was found and removed. The privacy statement notes that this report contains no personally identifiable information (PII) but does include the malware name and OS version.
You can also find language-specific download versions on the Microsoft Privacy archive page . This statement specifically covers data collection practices for features encountered during setup, such as , the Installation Improvement Program , and automatic Activation . The Ghost in the Server Room When MSRT runs via Windows Update, it sends
“When you use Windows Update, information about your device, such as the version of Windows, the processor type, and certain device identifiers, is sent to Microsoft to determine which updates to offer. No file content or personal documents are ever sent.” the Installation Improvement Program
To ensure a secure and private installation experience, users should: information about your device
Some of the specific data collected includes:
While installing these operating systems, you can make specific decisions regarding several data-collecting features:
Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 share the same core codebase (version 6.3). However, their installation experiences differ significantly—one is client-oriented, the other server-oriented. Understanding the privacy implications of features available is critical for both individual users and enterprise administrators.