Improve your privacy with O&O ShutUp10++ for Windows 11

Martin Brinkmann
Oct 9, 2021
Windows software
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24

O&O Software released an updated version of its Windows 10 privacy app O&O ShutUp10 this week. O&O ShutUp10++ is the new name of the tool to indicate that it is also compatible with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system, which Microsoft released this week.

Like its predecessor, O&O ShutUp10++ is available as a free portable program for Windows. All that needs to be done is to run the application after it has been downloaded from O&O Software's website.

The interface looks like the classic version of the privacy application, and that is a good thing, as it is designed to maximize usability.

o&o shutup10++ interface

The main window displays all available tweaks in a long list. You may use the search option to find specific tweaks, or go through the entire listing. The program checks the status of each tweak, and displays its status accordingly in the interface (enabled or disabled).

O&O Software's application supports quick actions, which are located under Actions. You may use the Actions menu to apply certain tweaks, e.g. all recommended privacy tweaks, immediately.

oo shutup10 tweaks

Speaking of tweaks, the program rates tweaks based on compatibility and other factors. The color coded tweaks, green stands for recommended, yellow for tweaks that are "somewhat recommended", and red for tweaks that may cause functionality issues, are displayed in the long privacy tweaks listing in the program's main interface.

All tweaks are toggled between enabled and disabled. A green toggle indicates an enabled tweak, a red one that it is not enabled on the device.

Tweaks are divided into categories, e.g. Privacy, Security, Microsoft Edge, or Cortana.

O&O ShutUP10++ displays a prompt on the first change if System Restore is not enabled on the device. The developers recommend enabling System Restore, as it may be used to roll back changes outside of the O&O ShutUP10++ application. It is still possible to proceed without enabling System Restore.

Changes are applied instantly on the device, but a restart may be required before some take effect. O&O ShutUp10++ includes import and export options. Exporting saves the list of tweaks, and importing imports them on the device they are loaded; this is useful if you manage multiple PC systems running the same version of Windows, as you can apply a set of privacy changes to all systems, but the first, immediately.

Closing Words

O&O ShutUP10++ is a useful privacy tool for Windows 11 (and Windows 10). Windows 11 users can make a lot of privacy related changes to the system in a matter of minutes using the free application.

Now You: do you use privacy tools on your devices?

Summary
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Author Rating
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3.5 based on 11 votes
Software Name
O&O ShutUp10++
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Privacy
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Comments

  1. TelV said on November 10, 2022 at 9:56 am
    Reply

    I’m going to have to buy a Windows 10 machine at the end of this year because my current OS is Windows 8.1 and support for that ends in January next year. I can buy a laptop with Windows 10 Pro which at least has the option to configure the OS to a certain degree, but was looking at O&OShutup10 as a means of maintaining privacy. I noticed however from viewing the video on their site that certain settings can’t be disabled such as the ability to disable launch of MS Edge in the background. Here’s a screenshot taken from the video which illustrates those particular settings.
    https://i.postimg.cc/g2XNrmGc/O-O-limited-options.png

    So perhaps Windows Privacy Dashboard might be a good alternative.

    As regards Windows 10 LTSC I don’t think it’s possible to download the 2019 version which has 10 years of support anymore. Or at least that version isn’t available on the download site at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/download-windows-10-enterprise

    Later versions only qualify for five years support which is only about three months more than Windows 10 Pro support. As I understand it, Microsoft has extended support for W10 Pro to October 2025.

    Other concerns for me at least since I live in the Netherlands are the options to sign into a goverment site called DigiD through which all Dutch Goverment business with the general public is conducted. DigiD has a Windows 10 app which has to be used with card reader to verify identification and since the Windows 10 Pro machine I propose to buy doesn’t support that utility, I’ll have to use a third party external card reader instead. So will the LTSC version support that tool I wonder. I don’t think I can take a chance on that.

    Another alternative as regards privacy is AdolpIntel’s recommendations. Has anybody tried that? https://github.com/adolfintel/Windows10-Privacy

  2. zorp said on October 11, 2021 at 12:36 am
    Reply

    I’ve played with a few of these winblockers over the years, and settled on Windows Privacy Dashboard (which includes the crazymax list) instead of O&O. Just found it easier to use. No problems.

    1. Anonymous said on October 11, 2021 at 6:46 am
      Reply

      Current version of Windows Privacy Dashboard doesn’t support Win 11 (suppose to be version coming soon though)

  3. Private Ryan said on October 10, 2021 at 10:57 pm
    Reply

    > I run them all: O&O, Windows Privacy Dashboard, Privatezilla, and SharpApp! I’ve tried Blackbird […]

    At what point do you arrive at the conclusion to just say THIS SUCKS AND HAS TO STOP?

    How many [mostly] proprietary programs is one going to use just to try and protect themselves from their proprietary operating system. That’s one of the reasons I switched to Linux, because it never ends with Windows, it never fscking ends. Now I don’t need any special programs to neuter my OS from “spying” on me.

  4. Why did the chicken cross the chicken? said on October 10, 2021 at 10:52 pm
    Reply

    > The answer to your question is using enterprise or ltsb versions of Windows, or external networking hardware like a pihole or router firewall.

    It’s still proprietary. It could be capable of anything at any time. You do know routers/firewalls and programs like Wireshark don’t solve any potential issues of escaping an air-gap, right? They could be doing any number of things to eek information out and you don’t have a firewall for sound and other side channel vulnerabilities.

    Regardless of the imagined possibilities, at the end of the day, you’re dealing with unknowns.

  5. Revenge said on October 9, 2021 at 11:18 pm
    Reply

    I find it rather difficult to believe that the bullies in Redmond haven’t been extra careful regarding these types of programs on 11. This first version will not work as expected, not by a longshot.. It will take a year or two of cat and mouse games before this will be usable. Even then, you’ll lose. 11 is not designed for you, it’s designed to spy on you. Surveillance/Snitch OS filled to the brim with adware/spyware and you are supposed to be in awe of a menu in the middle and a few icons so you won’t care what’s happening behind the scenes.. Just install, don’t read the fine fine fiiiine print in a record long EULA, and enjoy having your privacy violated 24/7.

    1. TelV said on November 10, 2022 at 5:42 pm
      Reply

      Well, if you happen to live in the EU, you’ll be able to make use of the Digital Markets Act which will come into force in May next year. As per Martin’s article on the subject, the Act will force Microsoft to respect users’ privacy and provide a means of uninstalling apps they don’t want among other things: https://www.ghacks.net/2022/07/21/europes-digital-markets-act-has-serious-implications-for-apple-google-amazon-facebook-and-microsoft/

      If on the other hand you reside in the US it’s time to take action to force M$, Google and other big tech to respect your privacy and not force you to use apps you don’t want.

  6. Anonymous said on October 9, 2021 at 10:11 pm
    Reply

    Windows 7 the last version of Windows worth using.

    1. I just lost the game said on November 11, 2021 at 12:20 pm
      Reply

      Windows 7 also have some telemetry, some of them aren’t possible to remove by uninstalling some updates (well, at least is far less than w10 and w11 for sure). The irony is, the last windows that was possible to clean 100% of the telemetry was Windows Vista… eh..

  7. ULBoom said on October 9, 2021 at 8:38 pm
    Reply

    Do all changes remain after reboot in Home versions now?

    For us, privacy consists of using Pro or Enterprise and doing many, many changes in GP Edit, services, tasks, firewall, 3rd party AV, AdGuard, disable updates in registry. Home’s an ad server, avoid!

  8. Dennis said on October 9, 2021 at 7:44 pm
    Reply

    I run them all: O&O, Windows Privacy Dashboard, Privatezilla, and SharpApp! I’ve tried Blackbird, but I think that one is above my pay grade…..

    Also, Henry++’s simplewall, and Crazy Max’s Windows Spy Blocker — both the app and the hosts file — overkill, probably……

  9. BibleGuy said on October 9, 2021 at 7:24 pm
    Reply

    Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5, do not feed him.

    1. common sense computing said on October 10, 2021 at 2:01 pm
      Reply

      I posed was entirely in line with the rest of the thread making suggestions and pointing out that these tools don’t block all of the telemetry. You are singling my post out when you should be targeting all of them if you’re that upset about people still using Windows. The more interesting question is why you have a mental disease that causes you to selectively target people who posted content in line with the rest of the threat and nothing out of the ordinary.

  10. X said on October 9, 2021 at 5:59 pm
    Reply

    > This tool is a good start, but w10-11 home/pro can’t block all the MS telemetry. You can get close using this tool along with hosts and firewall rules, but anyone with a pihole knows some parts of the system keep phoning home regardless.

    Are you insane?! A good start? Hello? THE OPERATING SYSTEM IS PROPRIETARY. That’s what you would call a BLACK BOX. How are you going to protect against that?

    1. BearWithBear said on October 12, 2021 at 1:31 pm
      Reply

      It is not totally proprietary due to quantity of places where Windows is used. A lot of government special services of various contries do test of the system to know if Windows spy when telemetry is off. It is weak explanation but it is still some kind of sedative.

    2. common sense computing said on October 10, 2021 at 2:03 pm
      Reply

      Why are you screaming at my post in particular when everyone else is making the same similar suggestions and advice about what programs to use to stop Windows from phoning home? Something wrong upstairs, buddy?

      The answer to your question is using enterprise or ltsb versions of Windows, or external networking hardware like a pihole or router firewall.

  11. common sense computing said on October 9, 2021 at 3:41 pm
    Reply

    This tool is a good start, but w10-11 home/pro can’t block all the MS telemetry. You can get close using this tool along with hosts and firewall rules, but anyone with a pihole knows some parts of the system keep phoning home regardless.

  12. John G. said on October 9, 2021 at 3:21 pm
    Reply

    @Martin thanks! Nice review and nice software indeed! :]

  13. Herman Cost said on October 9, 2021 at 2:48 pm
    Reply

    I’ve used O&O ShutUp10 for about three years and have never had the slightest problem with it. Of course you can do everything in it in Windows itself if you want, but even if you do that, its a great program to use for a quick check after an update when Windows inevitably turns telemetry and other privacy killers back on.

  14. you're slaves to the M$ beast said on October 9, 2021 at 11:58 am
    Reply

    Pfft. Gold partner with MS? Give me a break.

    The best privacy method with Windows is a sledgehammer to the drive(s), or at least something like Linux if you care at all. (arguments to follow I’m sure)

    1. Anonymous said on October 9, 2021 at 11:08 pm
      Reply

      I hear they are about to release another program. O & O ShutUpLinuxUsers

      1. Norio said on October 11, 2021 at 7:49 pm
        Reply

        Hah! That’s funny–thanks!

  15. assurbani said on October 9, 2021 at 9:58 am
    Reply

    it’s my best anti windows tracking software since windows 10 birth.

  16. abc said on October 9, 2021 at 9:34 am
    Reply

    This is the best tool of that kinds for Windows 10, but they are missing true game stuff disablement – it can be done manually:
    https://old.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/cp0sbm/10_fps_after_not_playing_for_a_year/ewncebn/
    Still, it would be nice to have it ready to go, especially when it comes to truly disabling presence writer, which is a cumbersome process:
    https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/dgcg87/gamebarpresencewriteexe_keeps_running_on_my_pc/f3cp1cg/
    and requires non-standard elevated permissions.

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