Windows Media Player 9 Forced onto System

[Guest]

When I upgraded my XP Home edition to SP2, it forced out
my previous installation of WMP7 and put WMP9 on there.

I had resisted upgrading to WMP9 in the past since I have
heard a lot about MS tracking all my viewing and
listenting habits. Whether for sale or for Microsoft's
internal use, I am concerned if there is a list that
links my specific PC to a set of media titles.

Has it been fully resolved what Microsoft is doing here
and whether they are capturing this type of information?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tony]

When I downloaded WMP9, during setup there was an option
ask me if I wanted to share my listning/viewing
information with microsoft or not. I unchecked it!

 

[Jon Cosby]

You can disable this on the Privacy tab of WMP options. It's not required.


Jon

 

[Guest]

Rumor has it that disabling data transmissions isn't as
easy as you might believe.

Apparently, Microsoft identifies your player with a
cookie that contains a randomly generated hex string
known as a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID).

If I want the player to have knowledge of the artist and
tracks, and even if I don't, the GUID may be sent to
Microsoft.

I have a bunch of technical information on this but I'll
admit that I am not sure if it is rumor or fact. Does
anybody really know the details on this aside from the
party line of "use the switches in the software"

Ultimately, if the switches in the player DO disable MS
tracking, that is great. I am just looking for anyone
who knows any of the technical justification to back this
up.

Thanks again.