A little rude Of MS

I did my research before I installed 8.1 for the first time a few weeks ago after using 7 for years.
I made sure I removed all traces of cloud, once during install (turning of at instal option) and once after reading tutorials in here before I loaded anything else.

Yesterday I reinstalled because I think I know enough to do a clean job, I did a UEFI install.

Low and behold, the computer starts up with my previous installed background, and all the Start menu headings were as they were before I reinstalled. WTH?

I went online and the cloud storage for my account is empty on onedrive. How did this happen? I am completely dumbfounded and really feel that my privacy has been invaded due to the fact I ticked all the boxes and said NO!

Anyone have any clues?

I will attempt to explain, if it isn't to far off HG will come along and correct me (hopefully. . .
Ok when you set up your MS account all the info was saved on the main MS OS computers (servers) thus storing all your OS information just in case you do either a reinstall or a refresh. One Drive is only for documents and other stuff that you want to save to in the cloud. Hope that helps (even a little). . .

Lee said:

I will attempt to explain, if it isn't to far off HG will come along and correct me (hopefully. . .
Ok when you set up your MS account all the info was saved on the main MS OS computers (servers) thus storing all your OS information just in case you do either a reinstall or a refresh. One Drive is only for documents and other stuff that you want to save to in the cloud. Hope that helps (even a little). . .

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I find that a pretty big invasion. I didn't allow them to do that, did I? The names of my Start Screen Groups are pretty offensive, for whatever reason. The desktop was also a rather personal photo of family. I find this incredibly rude. Last time I looked they weren't allowed to retrieve any information without at least my agreeing, and I am sure I read the important parts of any TOS via sites that look out for consumers.

Yeah and there is always this and its always been off. never on. And the network cable gets unplugged until all online related settings are switched off.

I think I am actually really peeved off. if I am having trouble and I have used their operating systems for over 20 years, imagine what the average joe is relaying to them without being privy. The "ON" switches are all over the OS and you have to google to find half of them.

The names of my Start Screen Groups are pretty offensive, for whatever reason. The desktop was also a rather personal photo of family.

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That information was either retrieved directly from your previous settings (as identified by Lee and Edwin) or your MS account has been hacked. However, if you were using anything but a retail ISO, I would have done a SHA1 check to ensure the integrity of the ISO before attempting any installation with same. Live and learn.

I'm confused, the only way that stuff would have come along was if you logged on with a Microsoft account. Nobody who is anti cloud would log in that way.

Are you not using a local account?

SpringUpdate said:

The names of my Start Screen Groups are pretty offensive, for whatever reason. The desktop was also a rather personal photo of family.

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That information was either retrieved directly from your previous settings (as identified by Lee and Edwin) or your MS account has been hacked. However, if you were using anything but a retail ISO, I would have done a SHA1 check to ensure the integrity of the ISO before attempting any installation with same. Live and learn.

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I have an OEM bought with an SSD from my stockist. I save $100 per operating system this way and I always buy new hardware. I don't know how it works anywhere else but in Australia all you need to buy to get an OEM OS is a piece of hardware that makes up a PC e.x. CD ROM HDD RAM etc, either or.

pparks1 said:

I'm confused, the only way that stuff would have come along was if you logged on with a Microsoft account. Nobody who is anti cloud would log in that way.

Are you not using a local account?

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As much as I really am anti-cloud I am not dumb enough to see that sooner rather than later I am having to go that way. As it is Photoshop is expensive enough but if I want to stay up to date I am eventually going to have to embrace the cloud aspect of computing.

I did install using an MS Account purely to save myself time formatting in the next 12 months. With all the software I use (which is why the big system) it takes me a good 3 days to load, update, configure. An image for me has to last at least 12 months otherwise its to the nut house.

So, I assumed within 12 months I will of had to of embraced cloud, but I was hoping to do it on my terms. There are things I would store on cloud and things I wouldn't. My images are one thing I wouldn't.
So, having disabled everything cloud in windows 8 before connecting to the net (after initial sign in during install) I embarked on turning it all off. Only then did I plug in, update etc. I'll embrace it when I think I understand it and have 99% control over it.

Until then its a few calls to confirm that absolutely nothing is left online. I don't mind being called naive, I do mind liberties being taken. i believe I covered every track for this not to of happened.
Doesn't anybody else think that the way they have spread control over cloud throughout the PC settings and not just in one place taking liberties?

If you used you Microsoft account as your log-in profile for the system, that it'll restore some of your previous setting.

Bear in mind the MS user account is different from the OneDrive (SkyDrive) account in that the OneDrive account is mainly for syncing of files and folders you choose. The MS account is basically your established profile. So yes, disabling the OneDrive features wouldn't have done anything for the MS account.

I've two Windows 8.1 machines and when I change the wallpaper on one, the other is automatically updated to the same wallpaper. If I download an app on one machine, it'll be available to the other. That's the power of you MS account under the OS. Nothing nefarious here.

As for the invasion of privacy... you did accept certain conditions when you chose to have a MS account. If you feel they are being nefarious, and don't trust them, use a local account.

My two cents.

Open the Charms Bar and click Settings. Then click Change PC settings. Now go to OneDrive and then to Sync settings. Now go all the way to the bottom of the list and see if "Back up your settings for this PC" is turned ON. If you turn the "Sync your settings on this PC" at the top of the list Off, everything is disabled.

Still concerned about the following statements:

I know enough to do a clean job, I did a UEFI install.

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What media did you use to do your clean install?

The names of my Start Screen Groups are pretty offensive, for whatever reason.

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Did you ever create those offensive names yourself? If not, see my first post.

I have an OEM bought with an SSD from my stockist. I save $100 per operating system this way and I always buy new hardware. I don't know how it works anywhere else but in Australia all you need to buy to get an OEM OS is a piece of hardware that makes up a PC e.x. CD ROM HDD RAM etc, either or.

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So, did you get a Win 8.x installation disc with all the above? I still don't see how you managed to do a clean install? In the USA, we're lucky to get OEM recovery discs with a purchase. If not, we just create them as part of the initial setup. It almost sounds like you might have done an OEM recovery of sorts instead of a clean install. They are two completely different animals.

SpringUpdate said:

Still concerned about the following statements:

I know enough to do a clean job, I did a UEFI install.

Click to expand...

What media did you use to do your clean install?

The names of my Start Screen Groups are pretty offensive, for whatever reason.

Click to expand...

Did you ever create those offensive names yourself? If not, see my first post.

I have an OEM bought with an SSD from my stockist. I save $100 per operating system this way and I always buy new hardware. I don't know how it works anywhere else but in Australia all you need to buy to get an OEM OS is a piece of hardware that makes up a PC e.x. CD ROM HDD RAM etc, either or.

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So, did you get a Win 8.x installation disc with all the above? I still don't see how you managed to do a clean install? In the USA, we're lucky to get OEM recovery discs with a purchase. If not, we just create them as part of the initial setup. It almost sounds like you might have done an OEM recovery of sorts instead of a clean install. They are two completely different animals.

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OEM media is way cheaper than the Retail version of Windows. Some retailers require you to buy a piece of hardware to get it. At one time you had to buy a PC to get the OEM version of Windows. I bought the OEM version of Windows 7 from Tiger Direct to save a few bucks. There are restrictions on what you can do with OEM install media versus the full Retail version. It sounds to me like the OP bought an OEM DVD for Windows 8.1.

Yeah thanks Alpha.

Yes a brand spanking new packaged out of the box you bute! 100% certified & branded blue disk face holographic labeled OEM 8.1

Yes the offensive names are mine, thats how I knew (apart from the custom start screen) that the system settings had been copied to cloud.

In Australia we only have to pay $30 for a crappy cdrom and we can pay half price for an OS. OEM laws are obviously different here. As long as you buy a backbone piece of hardware that is needed to build a pc, you're eligible

antspants said:

Yeah thanks Alpha.

Yes a brand spanking new packaged out of the box you bute! 100% certified & branded blue disk face holographic labeled OEM 8.1

Yes the offensive names are mine, thats how I knew (apart from the custom start screen) that the system settings had been copied to cloud

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I do believe some of those options I pointed too, show up during installation with the option to turn them off. I know for me it lists each on the computer names for my other PC's I have in my Live ID and asks me which one I want to sync too. I also get the option to set it up as a new PC. I do backup my PC settings to OneDrive. I like to sync Metro Apps across all my PC's. I do turn things off like my Tile layout. If I don't they keep getting rearranged due to each PC having different screen resolutions.

Yes the offensive names are mine, thats how I knew

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Your initial comments regarding the above would lead one to believe you had no idea where they came from or how they got there. That is why I was so concerned; however, now that you have clarified they are yours (and you knew that all along), my concern (regarding same) appears to have been a waste of time.

SpringUpdate said:

Yes the offensive names are mine, thats how I knew

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Your initial comments regarding the above would lead one to believe you had no idea where they came from or how they got there. That is why I was so concerned; however, now that you have clarified they are yours (and you knew that all along), my concern (regarding same) appears to have been a waste of time.

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Looking at my post yes, I am not very good with punctuation or proper English, being Australian its kind of common. I do aplologise, my intention was not to waste your time, however your time is truly appreciated Spring.

alphanumeric said:

There are restrictions on what you can do with OEM install media versus the full Retail version. It sounds to me like the OP bought an OEM DVD for Windows 8.1.

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Ive never had any restrictions, what sort mate?

antspants said:

alphanumeric said:

There are restrictions on what you can do with OEM install media versus the full Retail version. It sounds to me like the OP bought an OEM DVD for Windows 8.1.

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Ive never had any restrictions, what sort mate?

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It's not restricted in features if that's what your wondering. It's not transferable to another PC once activated though. Retail versions can be moved to another PC. There are restrictions on the tech support offered by Microsoft too. There is no phone in support for OEM versions. The OEM, Dell, HP, Acer, ASUS etc are responsible for the tech support on the PC's they sell with an OEM install. In your case you are your tech support. OEM versions have a different EULA than Retail versions. It will tell you what and what you can't do.

OK yeah. Theres a gray area (the way I see it) with upgrading components etc. For instance, a new motherboard, if one gets fried, and then replaced, Ive never had an issue, unless they want to dig into the mac address or whatever it is a motherboard has, Phone activation support has never hassled me and I am always 100% honest. But yes I am aware of those restrictions.