In terms of privacy, I believe Windows collects a ton of data even if all telemetry is disabled; granted this is an older article, so it might have changed since*.

Your best option is probably running Windows inside a qube in Qubes OS and ensuring that the qube doesn’t have direct access to internet. But, at that point, why not consider switching to Linux instead? Because, you’d have to run at least another qube (with either Linux or *BSD on it) to grab the files off the internet from in the first place.

EDIT: lol, I just noticed it said “window” in the post and not “Windows”. I thought the mentions of “blackout curtains” and “storm shutters” was OP either making a joke or some reference I didn’t get. LMFAO, I didn’t even notice the “Thank me in advance”. Guess I should probably go to sleep after this. Good shit-post OP!

If it’s a sliding window you can put a bar in the track to keep it from being opened fully. If you need better security you can always put long screws through the framing.

Security is different than privacy. You can have one without the other. You can use standard blinds for privacy. That’s enough. If you want security on your windows, you can use iron bars or bulletproof glass or something.

Silly post.

I’m a big fan of Ameliorated, it lets you turn any existing Windows install to a custom one with this thing called “Playbooks”. Their “Revi OS Playbook” has privacy as a rated feature, and although I haven’t used it, Ameliorated has always worked great for me in the past

You need a full 8.1 surround lock system. These can be pricey, but I recommend this one from EcoBee. They typically run around $1300 each, but they come with elastiglass replacement if your window breaks under their protection, which I think is worth it.

I’ve debated getting rid of windows entirely to remove the risk, but I think I have enough protections in place for now.

There isn’t one. You make the trade for your personal data. MS has bee siphoning for a long time and they are adding more daily.

You can “disable” telemetry but that’s snake oil. There is no disabling the data MS hoards and wants. And they want it all. Moreover, you can’t ever be sure. Ever.

You can sandbox it with no internet but it’s still collecting and the moment a connection goes live, it’ll transmit all of it. Also an OS without internet is of little value these days.

MS has been ramping up telemetry as they keep pushing into “Windows as a Service.” So good luck with all that. Now and the next year and year after that.

Run Linux. Literally, just make the switch and go back to when computing was just you and your PC.

You’re looking for a solution in the wrong place. Why should you compromise your viewport into the outside world due to some random peepers? Simply mount an auto targeting kilowatt laser on the roof (xkcd 382).

By removing the source of the problem, you can continue to use your window to its fullest potential.

Air gap.

Otherwise, no, it is never secure.

You don’t need windows. Remove all your windows and adopt a gnu and a penguin. They’ll keep you safe and private.

Removed by mod

Honestly blackout blinds will be fine but the real answer is to just to not do anything in your windows you don’t want seen. I personally want sunlight so for me its just a matter of making sure no one else is peering into my windows. Luckily that isn’t culturally accepted

Best decision would be joining the linux community. Took me lots of years to fully migrate to linux.

But for Windows:

• Any LTSC version
• Simplewall.exe
• O&O shutup 10

General:

• Dns based adblocker like pihole with the oisd.nl big list
• Using foss alternatives of proprietary software (Nextcloud, Libreoffice, Thunderbird, …)

Windows 10 Enterprise + https://www.w10privacy.de/english-home/ + https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/manage-windows-21h2-endpoints to disable all spyware.