Laptop manufacturers are really taking the piss with their webcams aren't they? It's 2018 and this potato quality just isn't acceptable on a $2000+ machine. If it was a $600 USD $400 basic student laptop, sure, but not on high end laptops.
Disable, Uninstall, and Block, Windows 7 / 8 Telemetry & Data-Collection
Since around August 2015, Microsoft has occasionally back-added telemetry collection into Windows 7 and 8(.1) through the updates that are installed by Windows Update.
These updates are not required, and can be declined from installing and also will not be downloaded and installed if Windows Update is disabled. But, if a person has automatic updates enabled these updates will be automatically installed. If a person doesn't want these to be installed, they can be quickly uninstalled and blocked from being re-downloaded and installed by running a script that knows which updates to permanently block from being searched-for by Windows Update, and from being downloaded and installed.
Aegis Script is one such script, though it was last updated May 18, 2016.
The Aegis script will also remove and block any prompts in Windows 7 and 8 about downloading and installing Windows 10.
Original script link, and discussion: Script for Win 7/8 to block all telemetry updates and Windows 10 upgrade components
Direct-download backup link for Aegis v1.18: https://mega.nz/#!dhExAbBa!fehYhbTNz5dIBh72psfXLfwv9wMk0uhMpGli-c0pBn4
For a list of the Windows 7 and 8(.1) updates that the Aegis script addresses, and also of the post Aegis scrip Windows updates to avoid because they have telemetry in them, see the bottom of this post.
For identifying data-collection-containing updates since 2016, here is an updated list of which updates to avoid or uninstall: https://pastebin.com/jWX2zHdr
Windows 7 / 8: A thorough guide to identifying telemetry updates, removing the telemetry service, and blocking Microsoft's telemetry servers
Disclaimer: This first suggestion likely has no effect on the amount of telemetry Windows 10 collects
It is suggested that Windows 10 telemetry and data collection can be disabled by following the guide here: How to disable Telemetry and Data Collection in Windows 10
Note the part of the guide where it says:
Since the Windows 10 version 1151 update, "Diagnostics Tracking Service" has been changed to "Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service". So, a person will have to follow the same given instructions regarding "Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service" instead of "Diagnostics Tracking Service" if their Windows 10 version is newer than 1151.
Setting up a custom firewall to block Microsoft telemetry servers
Download and install this custom hosts file, and this custom PeerBlock Microsoft IP list which is regularly updated from information obtained via Wireshark: https://encrypt-the-planet.com/windows-10-anti-spy-host-file/
Review this thorough guide (a website account is needed to view it): https://encrypt-the-planet.com/completely-disable-windows-10-telemetry/
Privacy Guide for Windows 10 version 1803
This guide includes instructions on how to disable or remove various invasive or unwanted aspects of Windows 10. Some of what the guide includes instructions for:
- Basic Windows 10 set-up choices
- How to remove various apps, such as Windows Store, and other native Win 10 apps
- How to disable Cortana via registry
- How to remove various telemetry services and scheduled tasks
Some of what this guide shows instructions for may already be done by programs such as O & O ShutUp10.
O&O ShutUp10 means you have full control over which comfort functions under Windows 10 you wish to use, and you decide when the passing on of your data goes too far.
Using a very simple interface, you decide how Windows 10 should respect your privacy by deciding which unwanted functions should be deactivated.
O&O ShutUp10 is entirely free and does not have to be installed – it can be simply run directly and immediately on your PC. And it will not install or download retrospectively unwanted or unnecessary software, like so many other programs do these days!
Another tool for blocking unwanted communication between a PC and Microsoft is Spybot Anti-Beacon: https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/
Disconnect Microsoft telemetry server connections
From: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/privacy/configure-windows-diagnostic-data-in-your-organization
Endpoints
The Microsoft Data Management Service routes data back to our secure cloud storage. Only Microsoft personnel with a valid business justification are permitted access.
The following table defines the endpoints for Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component:
Windows release
Endpoint
Windows 10, versions 1703 and 1709
Diagnostics data: v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1
Functional: v20.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1
Windows Advanced Threat Protection is country specific and the prefix changes by country for example: de.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1
settings-win.data.microsoft.com
Windows 10, version 1607
v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
settings-win.data.microsoft.com
The following table defines the endpoints for other diagnostic data services:
Service
Endpoint
Windows Error Reporting
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
Online Crash Analysis
oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
OneDrive app for Windows 10
vortex.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1
More details on Windows 10 endpoints and ways to disconnect them: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/manage-windows-endpoints
If you are aware of updated information regarding telemetry and data collection in Windows 7 / 8 / 10, or know improved methods to disable it, please share it.
------------------------------------------------
Overview of what the Aegis script does
Direct-download backup link for Aegis v1.18: https://mega.nz/#!dhExAbBa!fehYhbTNz5dIBh72psfXLfwv9wMk0uhMpGli-c0pBn4
(This information was retrieved from an archived version of the voat.co page discussing Aegis, via http://pastebin.com/1Xb2h39Z, and was last updated March 27, 2016, and so will not mention any changes to the script after that time)
Description: Blocks 201 bad hosts, change windows update to check/notify (do not download/install), disable automatic delivery of internet explorer via windows update, disable ceip/gwx/skydrive(aka onedrive)/spynet/telemetry/wifisense, disable remote registry, disable 31 scheduled tasks, disable windows 10 download directory, remove diagtrack, sync time to ntp.org, hide/uninstall 50 kb updates (see below).
Directions: Download, unzip, disable anti-virus, right click on aegis.cmd, click "run as administrator", follow on-screen instructions.
Note: If unable to uninstall some kb's this post may help.
Internet Explorer:
Some updates which may contain critical security patches for ie, as well as automated delivery of ie and related updates, will be blocked. Due to the obvious security risk posed by running an unpatched browser we strongly advise to uninstall ie. If you plan to continue to use ie you should probably not run this script - or manually patch and do so at your own risk.
Liability:
All code except sed and setacl is provided as open source so you can look and see for yourself what it does. It has been thoroughly tested on my own systems and scanned with VirusTotal, and to the best of my knowledge it does not contain any harmful or malicious elements. However I assume no liability for any problems so use it at your own risk.
License:
There is no official license - you are welcome to modify and share my code and you do not have to give me credit. I do appreciate any feedback and I will give you credit if I use your ideas. This script is the product of a collaborative effort and does not belong to any one person.
Windows Update:
This script will not block Windows Update however it will change your Windows Update settings to 'check/notify but do not download/install'. If you have problems getting Windows Update to work properly after running the script you may need to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or the System Update Readiness Tool. If you have recently installed updates and have not yet rebooted you should reboot before running the script. If you are on a fresh install you may want to install all updates before running Aegis for the first time, otherwise it may take a long time to update.
Here is a possibly-incomplete listing of updates that Aegis removes and blocks, using the format:
kb update ID
update description
kb971033
update for windows activation technologies
kb2882822
update for adding itracerelogger interface support
kb2902907
description not available, update was pulled by microsoft
kb2922324
description not available, update was pulled by microsoft
kb2952664
update for upgrading windows 7
Ugh, screw this.
[kb2976978](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2976978) | update for windows 8.1 and windows 8
[kb2977759](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977759) | update for windows 7 rtm
[kb2990214](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214) | update that enables you to upgrade from windows 7 to a later version of windows
[kb3012973](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3012973) | upgrade to windows 10
[kb3014460](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3014460) | update for windows insider preview / upgrade to windows 10
[kb3015249](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3015249) | update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
[kb3021917](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3021917) | update for windows 7 sp1 for performance improvements
[kb3022345](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345) | update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
[kb3035583](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583) | update installs get windows 10 app in windows 8.1 and windows 7 sp1
[kb3042058](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3042058) | update for cipher suite priority order (contains winlogon spying elements)
[kb3044374](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3044374) | update that enables you to upgrade from windows 8.1 to windows 10
[kb3046480](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3046480) | update for migrating .net when upgrading to later version of windows
[kb3058168](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3058168) | activate windows 10 from windows 8 or windows 8.1, and windows server 2012 or windows server 2012 r2 kms hosts
[kb3064683](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3064683) | update for windows 8.1 oobe modifications to reserve windows 10
[kb3065987](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065987) | update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 july 2015
[kb3065988](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065988) | update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 july 2015
[kb3068708](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708) | update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
[kb3072318](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3072318) | update for windows 8.1 oobe modifications to reserve windows 10
[kb3074677](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3074677) | compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10
[kb3075249](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249) | update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in windows 8.1 and windows 7
[kb3075851](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075851) | update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 august 2015
[kb3075853](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075853) | update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 august 2015
[kb3080149](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149) | update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
[kb3081437](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3081437) | august 18, 2015, compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10
[kb3081454](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3081454) | september 8, 2015, compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10
[kb3081954](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3081954) | update for work folders improvements in windows 7 sp1 (contains telemetry elements)
[kb3083324](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083324) | update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 september 2015
[kb3083325](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083325) | update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 september 2015
[kb3083710](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083710) | update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 october 2015
[kb3083711](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083711) | update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 october 2015
[kb3086255](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255) | september 8, 2015, security update for the graphics component in windows (breaks safedisc)
[kb3088195](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3088195) | october 13, 2015, security update for windows kernel (reported to contain a keylogger)
[kb3090045](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3090045) | windows update for reserved devices in windows 8.1 or windows 7 sp1 (windows 10 upgrade elements)
[kb3093983](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3093983) | security update for internet explorer: october 13, 2015 (ie spying elements)
[kb3102810](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810) | windows 10 upgrade elements
[kb3102812](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102812) | windows 10 upgrade elements
[kb3112343](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112343) | update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 december 2015
[kb3112336](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112336) | update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 december 2015
[kb3123862](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3123862) | updated capabilities to upgrade windows 8.1 and windows 7
[kb3135445](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445) | windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2: february 2016
[kb3135449](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135449) | windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2: february 2016
[kb3138612](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612) | windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2: march 2016
[kb3138615](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138615) | windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2: march 2016
[kb3139929](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3139929) | security update for internet explorer: march 8, 2016
[kb3146449](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3146449) | updated internet explorer 11 capabilities to upgrade windows 8.1 and windows 7
Updates including post-Aegis that contain telemetry, updated to June 2018:
Windows 7/8/8.1 Updates to avoid as of the June 2018 "Patch Tuesday":
KB971033, Activation exploits
KB2876229, Skype
KB2882822, replaced by KB3068708
KB2952664, telemetry crap
KB2970228, new Russian ruble symbol, breaks fonts
KB2976978, Windows 10 update crap for Win8
KB2977759, telemetry crap
KB2982791, Causes crashes
KB2990214, telemetry crap
KB3004394, faulty update
KB3018238, only applies to Windows Server 2008
KB3021917, telemetry crap
KB3022345, telemetry crap
KB3035583, telemetry crap
KB3050265, telemetry crap
KB3065987, telemetry crap
KB3068708, telemetry crap
KB3075249, telemetry crap
KB3075851, telemetry crap
KB3080149, telemetry crap
KB3081954, telemetry crap
KB3083324, telemetry crap
KB3083710, telemetry crap
KB3097877, Casuses crashes
KB3102810, telemetry crap
KB3107998, Lenovo fix to remove blocker
KB3112336, More WIN10 crap
KB3112343, More WIN10 crap + MS monitoring of win10 upgrade
KB3121255, crash during backup of PI Data server fails
KB3123862, Windows 10 update crap
KB3125574, Apr 2016 rollup with bad ones in it
KB3133977, BitLocker can't encrypt the drive and the service crashes
KB3135445, WIN7 update client to force WIN10
KB3137061, Azure virtual machines network outage data corruption
KB3138901, No Internet multiple users log on Remote Desktop Services
KB3139923, MSI repair doesn't work after you install updates
KB3147071, Connection to Oracle database fails. Causes browser lockups?
KB3150513, telemetry crap
other:
KB3184143 removes the Get Windows 10 app
KB3172605 July 2016 update rollup (re-released Sep 13 2016)
KB3179573 August 2016 Rollup
As a disappointed and disillusioned Apple products user I can tell you the following - if you are not tied to products of this company (e.g. because they are the only ones with the software you need, you already have an iphone + ipad + apple watch and you want to become iperson etc.) - don't go this way. Recently MacBooks had many issues and were underdeveloped. To name a few troubles
drop of quality - issues with keyboard, issues with throttling, issues with Kernel Panics, issues with speakers.
no upgrades - everything is soldered. Apple's warranty protects you for 1 or 3 years, but after that - you're screwed if something breaks. Soldered RAM and even SSD means that you'll have to pay a lot of money to change them and it might not be even possible.
price to power ratio - MacOS is super optimized. That's true. But what is the price? Windows 10 is not really that bad, to be honest. You can use it and not experience any issues for a long time. And is much cheaper.
So my advice - if you don't really need Mac, don't buy it. Dell XPS is not the best option too, due to quality control. Maybe you can spent money on business-class laptops - they are usually very reliable and solid + have very long warranty. I'd advice Dell Precision series or ThinkPads P/Ps/T/Ts (those are ugly as hell, but get the job done).
Chipzilla is getting a pummeling. We as consumers benefit from this, so I can't do anything but applaud the efforts of what was previously Awfully Mediocre Devices.
The only iPad that would compete with this is the iPad Pro 10.5" which is around the same price,add $100 for the pencil. Although i'd rather have the Surface Go or the Huawei mediapad M5 Pro.
This isn't anything new or a one case scenario. You are misinformed. Sure lower temps are better but those are unrealistic and higher temps within safe range do nothing to shorten the life span. I have had 2 GPUs and one CPU running at 80-85C for over 3 years now and they are just fine
I had a GF who had braces when I was a young teenager, let's say we did a lot of experimentation together and let's also say that I found out the hard way that in certain situations braces can hurt, very much.
Avoid the Razer Blade. They run hot and have too many QC issues and too inconsistent customer support to properly recommend.
CPU wise, I would recommend the i7 8750H. The 6-cores would help for video editing and whatnot although I do heavily recommend undervolting (it's easy to do and there's pretty much no risk) to have it run cooler.
Normally, the Dell XPS15 comes to mind but the laptop has had VRM issues for 3 years now, so it's becoming harder to recommend.
brain.OS ready for input
run LouisRossmann.exe
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more productive"...
"Better, smarter, more prod
[memory allocation error]
[creating dump file]
[rebooting]
...