content: replacing "it" for "Windows Explorer":  if Windows Explorer is "harmless" why is it on by default, and why do you need to tamper with the registry to turn Windows Explorer off? and how can you be sure Windows Explorer will stay off next time windows updates itself?  replacing "it" for the Start Menu:  if the Start Menu's "harmless" why is the Start Menu on by default, and why do you need to tamper with the registry to turn the Start Menu off? and how can you be sure the Start Menu will stay off next time windows updates itself?  replacing "it" for Control Panel:  if Control Panel's "harmless" why is Control Panel on by default, and why do you need to tamper with the registry to turn Control Panel off? and how can you be sure Control Panel will stay off next time windows updates itself?  Firstly, that argument is pretty ridiculous. Secondly, let's face it - no average end user is going to go through every setting on their PC and decide to opt-in to telemetry. Thirdly, there's no real good reason you should need to opt-out of telemetry IMO unless you're an enterprise, in which case you can use Windows 10 Enterprise and opt-out through the normal Settings GUI.