Windows 10 Preview has already been downloaded by millions of users worldwide to see what's new in Microsoft's modern operating system, and many did it through the company's brand new Windows Insider Program that allows them to participate in testing programs for its software.

The Insider Program was launched together with Windows 10 Preview and required a Microsoft account to register and thus get to the download links of the new OS.

While many rushed to download the testing bits of the operating system, few actually read the privacy policy of the Windows Insider Program, which does include some pretty worrying details for lots of users.

Writing about this new program, TheHackerNews claims that Windows 10 Preview acts as a full-featured keylogger, and while we admit that it's a bit terrifying to see the OS keeping track of all your clicks, there are reasons not to worry about this when installing the testing build.

Collected data and monitored actions

First and foremost, Microsoft warns from the very beginning that the Windows Insider Program will be used to collect data about users' actions on the new operating system and goes into detail with the info that it needs to further improve the operating system.

First, we have this:

“When you acquire, install and use the Program, Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks.”

Then, it goes like this:

“Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.”

And for those not yet worried that all actions are tracked, Microsoft says the following:

“When you open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file and how long it takes and use it for purposes such as improving performance; or enter text, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving auto-complete and spell check features.”

Basically, all of these are part of the feedback program that Microsoft really needs to make Windows 10 a better product, but at first glance, the company seems to be looking into many more details than expected.

User data shared with partners

Unsurprisingly, Microsoft shares some of your details with partners in order to improve the operating system and find ways to make some specific features easier to use, not only on its devices, but also on those released by other manufacturers.

“Microsoft shares some data with our partners to improve how their products and services work with Microsoft’s products and services,” the privacy policy statement reads. “We may share or disclose information about you with other Microsoft-controlled subsidiaries and affiliates, and with vendors or agents working on our behalf.”

Ways to stop tracking

In short, you can't do that if you want to keep using Windows 10 Preview. Or use it, but without an Internet connection, which kind of makes it useless.

Microsoft says that you have absolutely no option to disable the transmission of data unless you want to remove Windows 10 Preview and get back to your previous operating system, be it Windows 7 or Windows 8.

“Use of the Program is at your discretion. Many features that transmit data to Microsoft are enabled automatically. You may not have the option to turn off the transmission of data for certain features in the Program. To stop the transmission of all data, you must completely uninstall the Program from all of your devices. This may require you to reinstall your device’s operating system,” it says.

Reasons not to worry about it

Even though it might sound like Microsoft uses Windows 10 Preview to keep an eye on your every single click, this isn't happening. The preview version was all about feedback from the very beginning, so your private information isn't quite the thing that Microsoft wants to get from you.

Obviously, some of your private files could thus be sent to Microsoft, but would someone install the Windows 10 Technical Preview, which is in essence an unfinished product prone to bugs and performance issues, on the main computer, where sensitive files are also stored?

Then, a company the size of Microsoft cannot afford any data leaks. Some are worried that even though Microsoft won't look at their data, a potential breach could lead to a massive leak of user information. The company has already taken some measures to prevent this, so here's what it's saying:

“We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use or disclosure. For example, we store the personal information you provide on computer systems that have limited access and are in controlled facilities.”

The company warned from the very beginning that Windows 10 Preview should not be installed on your main computer, so in case you did that, you kind of assumed that something could go wrong and your data might be in some way or another compromised.

All these tracking technologies will be removed when the preview version expires on April 15, 2015, so the full version of Windows 10 should be more focused on privacy.

Either way, it's still a bit worrying that your new operating system, be it in preview stage or not, is collecting so much information about you, so we've reached out to Microsoft for a word on this and will update the article when and if we get an answer.