Windows 10 may send Microsoft data even when you tell it not to

Several key Windows 10 features, including Cortana, could be sending identifiable information to Microsoft, according to tests by
Windows 10 uses the web for many of its flagship features. You can search Bing, Microsoft's search engine, right next to the Start menu, or you can use Cortana, Microsoft's digital voice assistant to perform actions across the system.

See also: Windows 10 isn't much of a win for many early adopters

But every time your machine interacts with these features, it sends out an identifier unique to your system that can be linked back to you. The link is made, and user information shared with Microsoft, even when the user turns privacy settings on, according to the report.
"As part of delivering Windows 10 as a service, updates may be delivered to provide ongoing new features to Bing search, such as new visual layouts, styles and search code. No query or search usage data is sent to Microsoft, in accordance with the customer's chosen privacy settings. This also applies to searching offline for items such as apps, files and settings on the device," they said in the emailed statement.
Collecting usage data is something virtually every tech company does. But if you want to stay 100% percent offline using Windows 10, you might have some trouble doing so.
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