The official link for the Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 privacy statement regarding installation features is http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=280262.
🔗 Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Privacy Statement The official link for the Windows 8
By understanding and applying the principles outlined in the Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Privacy Statement for Installation Features, you maintain both operational control and regulatory compliance—even on out-of-support operating systems. Server role requested (e
While Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 are no longer under mainstream support, they remain in use in legacy environments. Administrators and users should proactively manage privacy by disabling telemetry, CEIP, and SmartScreen during or immediately after installation. Use the official privacy statement link above as the authoritative source for Microsoft’s data collection disclosures for these specific operating system versions. Turn off downloading of print drivers over HTTP
Internet Explorer Features: Settings for "Flip Ahead with Page Prediction" and the "SmartScreen Filter," which sent URLs to Microsoft to check for malicious content.
| Feature | Data sent | Can be disabled offline? | Relevant registry key or setting |
|---------|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
| SmartScreen | URLs, app hashes, download metadata | Yes (Action Center) | HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SmartScreenEnabled |
| CEIP | Hardware config, software usage, performance | Yes (Control Panel) | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection\AllowTelemetry |
| Windows Update | Device ID, update status, installed update list | Yes (Services console) | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU |
| Wi-Fi Sense (Win8.1) | Wi-Fi network names (not passwords) to contacts | Yes (Network settings) | Disabled via Group Policy |
| Advertising ID | App usage for ad personalization | Yes (Settings > Privacy) | HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo |
Activation: The statement clarified that activation—which verifies the software is genuine—happens automatically during setup and involves sending hardware-related data to Microsoft.