Windows 11

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Windows 11 is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by Microsoft. Windows was first released in 1985 as a GUI for MS-DOS. Later in 1993, Windows was released as its own standalone operating system running on the Windows NT kernel. Windows 11 is the current version of WIndows sold by Microsoft. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer computers.

Consumer impact summary

Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc.

Microsoft has a rich and plentiful history of data breaches. Many services that Microsoft offers have been forcibly accessed into by malicious and white hat hackers.

Incidents

Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use

Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup. This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. Workarounds exist to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.

Poorly disclosed data encryption

Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft My Account device list without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended.

Data Collection

Main article: Microsoft

Microsoft is known to sell users data to brokers and government agencies.