Windows Update

What this feature does

Windows Update is a service from Microsoft that provides updates for Windows operating system software and Windows-based hardware.

Information collected, processed, or transmitted

Windows Update collects basic information about your computer to identify which updates your computer needs and to improve the updating service. This information includes:

●         Computer make and model

●         Version information for the operating system, browser, and any other Microsoft software for which updates might be available

●         Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices

●         Region and language setting

●         Globally unique identifier (GUID)

●         Product ID and product key

●         BIOS name, revision number, and revision date

Your IP address is also collected because you are connecting to an online service (web service) to get updates. However, your IP address is only used to generate aggregate statistics.

You might be invited to participate in a survey about the way you use Windows Update. Each survey includes a privacy statement that details the terms and use of any information submitted with that survey.

Use of information

The product ID and product key are used to confirm you are getting updates for a validly licensed copy of Windows. This information is not stored or retained after you finish using Windows Update, unless the product ID is not valid.

The information collected by Windows Update can also be used to generate aggregate statistics about which computer systems need support. Aggregate statistics help improve Windows and the updating service. To generate accurate statistics, Windows Update assigns a globally unique identifier (GUID) and stores it on your computer. The GUID provides a way to uniquely identify your computer without collecting information that can be used to identify you. The GUID is also used to record:

●         The number of individual computers that use the updating service

●         Whether updates were needed and which updates were applied

●         Whether the download and installation of each update succeeded or failed

Microsoft does not use the information collected by Windows Update to identify you or contact you.

Choice and control

You can turn automatic updating on or off, change the frequency and time at which updates are installed, and choose which updates to install automatically by going to Windows Update in Control Panel.