I heard Windows 11 has been updated to take screenshots of your computer. Is it theoretically possible for them to delete content from your PC or external hard drives if they can determine that you have pirated content on them? Can they theoretically report you for it? I know it’s unlikely but is it still possible? I’m thinking of switching to Linux and this may be the reason why.

Edit: Thank you all for your educated answers. I really appreciate y’all!

  • KISSmyOSFeddit@lemmy.world
    5·
    6 months ago

    The Windows system user has full control over the PC including hard drive content and network connection, so yes, it is theoretically possible. However, there are endpoint protection tools that also have full control over Windows, and if the OS ever deleted a user’s stuff, they’d notice and it would become public, which would be an insane PR nightmare for Microsoft.

    • cheesepotatoes@lemmy.world
      41·
      6 months ago

      Would Microsoft even care? Do normies think about this kind of thing?

      Google’s gemini has been delivering some pants-on-head stupid results in the search and Google’s comment on the situation was basically “ya, it do be that way”.

      • Denjin@lemmings.world
        2·
        6 months ago

        There’s a difference between “haha silly LLM” and an operating system used by potentially billions of people, including businesses, governments, military, scanning and deleting your potentially sensitive information.