Windows 7 Pre-release (pre-Beta) Privacy Statement for Installation Features
[This content is preliminary and subject to change.]
At Microsoft, we're working hard to protect your privacy, while delivering products that bring you the performance, power, and convenience you desire in your personal computing. This privacy statement explains the data collection and use practices of these Windows 7 installation features: Activation, Customer Experience Improvement Program, Device Information Retrieval, Dial-up Networking, Dynamic Update, Installation Improvement Program, Microsoft Error Reporting Service, SmartScreen Filter, Windows Defender, Windows Help, and Update Services. These features might send information to and from the Internet when you're installing and setting up Windows 7. This is a preliminary disclosure that focuses on features that communicate with the Internet and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. It does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products, or services.
For a more comprehensive privacy statement for this software, see the online Windows 7 Pre-release (pre-Beta) Privacy Statement at
Windows 7 Privacy Notice Highlights.
Collection of information about your computer
Windows 7 contains several Internet-enabled features that collect standard information from your computer ("standard computer information"). Standard computer information typically includes information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, operating system version, browser version, and regional and language settings. In some cases, standard computer information might also include hardware ID, which indicates the device manufacturer, device name, and version. Some features might collect additional information. The privacy details for each Windows feature listed in this privacy statement will disclose the additional information that is collected and, if the feature sends the information to Microsoft, how it is used.
Use of information
Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft might be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or service providers maintain facilities. Microsoft abides by the safe harbor framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of data from the European Union.
Microsoft may access or disclose information about you in order to: (a) comply with the law or respond to lawful requests or legal process; (b) protect the rights or property of Microsoft or our customers, including the enforcement of our agreements or policies governing your use of the services; or (c) act on a good faith belief that such access or disclosure is necessary to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, customers, or the public.
Microsoft occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on its behalf, such as providing customer support, processing transactions, or performing statistical analysis of reports. Microsoft will provide these companies only the information they need to deliver the service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.
Security practices
Microsoft is committed to protecting the security of your information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, we store the information that you provide on computer servers that have limited access and that are located in controlled facilities.
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