: You can choose to sign in with a Microsoft Account, which enables data syncing for settings and apps across devices.
The Windows 8.1/Server 2012 R2 privacy statement for installation features is . It doesn’t lie—it clearly states what data is collected. However, the installer is designed to nudge you toward sharing (e.g., making “Express Settings” the default). For a Server 2012 R2 machine, the best practice is to choose Core installation (no GUI) and never join CEIP. For Windows 8.1 , the most private install is with a local account, all optional features disabled, and then running a script to block Microsoft telemetry endpoints. : You can choose to sign in with