"Microsoft says they collect the information “to provide you a personalized user dictionary, help you type and write on your device with better character recognition, and provide you with text suggestions as you type or write.”
According to the article, it tracks EVERYTHING you do on your PC, not just online. And yes, some of it is shared with third parties. For those of you who did it, you consented to it when you clicked "Agree" to the 45 pages of terms and conditions you didn't read.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
If you click on Default Settings, that's what you get - Big Brother
However, if you select Custom Settings, you can turn any or all of these features off
I rarely use default settings, they're usually designed to help someone else...
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
"Microsoft says they collect the information “to provide you a personalized user dictionary, help you type and write on your device with better character recognition, and provide you with text suggestions as you type or write.”
"personalized user dictionary"??????
Say what?
For whatever reason this could be useful. If you're working in a specialized field in astrophysics, or medicine, of [pick something yourself] for example, that might be helpful. Stephen Hawking uses a very specialized software of this kind for his lectures.
Your phone (if you are using a smart phone) has likely been building a personal user dictionary every since you turned it on the first time.
MS Office has been doing the same for a really long time, perhaps decades. Pretty sure all of the big 3 browsers have been collecting this info as well to various degrees. These 'personal user dictionaries' have been part of the software you are used to using.
Windows 8 has this on portable devices and it works famously while e-mailing or texting. Apple iOS as well since at least iOS 6 I believe. I've never had an Android phone so I don't know if it's in there, but confirmed in Windows 8 on the phone and at least in the text messaging feature of iOS 6 and above. These are the 'suggested' words that appear in various places while you are typing. That's your personal user dictionary. It's really not a dictionary in the sense of providing definitions, it's a personal commonly used word list and sequencing.
One simple example: I live in Colorado Springs. In my Windows 8 phone as soon as I hit a space after typing 'Colorado', 'springs' is in a short list of suggested words. There's also some kind of cloud reference as well as my own personalized list
It makes complete sense to integrate it into all Windows releases for all devices.
Here's one snippet of the article on how they build the word lists (erroneously called dictionaries):
"How did we build them? You helped us! Remember the little checkbox during phone set up (and in Settings) that talks about helping us improve text suggestions and build a better product? When someone gives us permission, we collect anonymous typing data—free of passwords, names, numbers, and other personal info—to help create and test Word Flow."
Doesn't look like Android has a user-specific word suggestion/tracker built in from what I can tell.
As with any information technology, it can be used for good and for evil. I will say that I'm thankful for word suggestions on the Win 8 phone. E-mails and texts are 'muy rapido' compared to my iPhone 4s.
Let's cut to the chase, guys. Win 10 functions as a keylogger. It searches for or records credit cards, passwords, and other personal data, then stores it, and possibly transmits it to Microsoft, who may then share some of it with third parties.
Here is one application where that may actually be criminal. As a medical transcriptionist (MT) working from home, under the provisions of a congressional act known as HIPAA, I am responsible for maintaining the security of patient information. I use a password-protected PC on a secure network in a locked room. No one may see or hear patient information besides me. An MT is liable for $25,000 per occurrence of a HIPAA violation. But if I upgrade to Windows 10, this data is being recorded, and perhaps being sent to Microsoft by default. How is that legal?
This is currently the subject of vigorous discussions on MT forums around the Internet. How does MS justify providing an OS with such a feature enabled without users' knowing consent?
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Richard, it's always good to be security minded. You make excellent points. Like I mentioned, you can turn on or off any of these features. Most of mine are Off. I suspect you can turn just about everything Off. The 'default' option doesn't do this, but custom settings does. HTH Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Like I mentioned, you can turn on or off any of these features. Most of mine are Off. I suspect you can turn just about everything Off. The 'default' option doesn't do this, but custom settings does. HTH Trevor
That's a helpful image to post. I don't know when I'll be doing the upgrade to Win10 but the icon is in my tray.
Hmmm....if/when I click on that Win10 icon I'm still a bit unclear what happens. Does it first ask me questions, etc. prior to any installation beginning? No....I'm not terrified I'll muck something up.
It asks all of the question the very first time Windows 10 starts. You can also get to the questions later on via the control panel (that's how I got the screen captures)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Well on the second attempt I got windows 10 installed, most apps seem to work ok.
I do like it that you can open the apps now on the desktop rather than having to go to the start menu.
When windows 8 came out I bought the upgrade to my windows 7, though 7 was home version, my 8 version was pro. So I have upgraded that to 10, had error message on first install, second time around it went ok. I have turned off fast boot in 10 as I had trouble with that in windows 8 not booting right into the desktop in a dual boot with windows 7.
One thing I have found with windows 10 (though its got the new browser EDGE) is that the old internet explorer 11 seems to hang and crash but running as admin seems to have fixed that problem.
For the moment I am treating windows 10 as a novelty and a new toy, my go to OS is windows 7
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
As a tax pro I have the same level of security requirements from the IRS you do with your thing Ryzard. People's tax returns and financial information is obviously confidential.
Having said that I really think your concerns are blown way out of proportion. MS is not "stealing" that level of secret info, they're not keylogging you. If you don't want their "help" with writing stuff fine. That's not a problem but to think MS can go into your machine to steal patient records is ridiculous and over the top paranoid imho. Patient records get stolen by hacking the health care providers. THAT's where the problem is.
It's hackers getting into GSA's system and stealing the personal info of over 30 million former and current government employees, some with high level security clearances. Then there's the Sony hack, Target, Home Depot and who knows how many other big ones. It's stupid and incompetent IT people at these big entities or perhaps I should say maybe not the IT people, it's their bosses who cut their budgets and are too political.
You have a choice. You either have some faith in these huge companies and our government or you don't. If you do then take the usual precautions we all talk about here. If you don't then throw away your phone, your computer, your tablet, your credit and debit cards, online banking, anything that is connected to the internet and just go back to the 70's. No email, no social media, no Google, no streaming anything, no GPS, no PG forum, nothing.
Seriously there's no halfway with this, it's one or the other.
Let's cut to the chase, guys. Win 10 functions as a keylogger. It searches for or records credit cards, passwords, and other personal data, then stores it, and possibly transmits it to Microsoft, who may then share some of it with third parties.
It POSSIBLY transmits it to Micro$oft who MAY then share it.....
We need proof, not speculation and possible case scenarios. Remember, I am as anti- Micro$oft as you can imagine, but "possibly" and "may" are not an indictment.
You remember when one of the cell phone carriers had some deal where you were supposed to give them names and numbers of your friends and then they would contact those friends and market them? Did anybody here do that? Then YOU are doing what Micro$oft is doing. How many people, upon a crash, click "send error report". Your computer then phones home and you have NO idea what it is looking at. Does anybody every say "Yes" to those "take a survey about our website" prompts? My question to that is "Do you get paid to do market research for that company?"
People are WAY too concerned about what might possibly could maybe happen. Most of those same people have no clue about data encryption. They think their actual credit card number is transmitted, not their credit card number multiplied by a random 128 character algorithm. That kind of paranoia is based on the same logic that says you should never drive on a highway because an engine might fall off a jet and hit your car.
Being prudent about where you use your credit cards is the key. How many people do I meet that go on and on about not using a credit card online because their number may be stolen, yet they think nothing about going to a restaurant and handing that card to a waitress they don't know who then disappears for 10 minutes with that card and perhaps leaves herself a voice mail with the card number, name and 3 digit security code.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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