Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard

Go to the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard page and sign in with your Microsoft account if you aren’t already. That will bring you to the “Privacy” section of the dashboard.

From the top, you can select different sections of your Microsoft account and make changes. You can choose between Overview, My activity, Download your data, Cortana’s Notebook, and Ad settings. So, for example, from the “Ad settings” section you can choose whether or not you want to share your data with Microsoft. For instance, you might want to turn off the button to see ads that are based on your browsing activity.

Under the “My Activity” section you can clear recent activities like OneDrive, Office, and search activities.

Here you can also download an archive of your Microsoft account data. This is similar to downloading your Twitter archive or your Facebook data archive.

The Personal Data Dashboard looks promising. Right now, the most beneficial features for managing your Bing search history and ad preferences. For example, specifying the type of ads in Outlook.com that are relevant to your interests. More features and settings will undoubtedly be added moving forward. “Right now, the most beneficial features are managing your Bing search history and ad preferences.” Who uses Bing anyway? And I’n not just being an ass here, I tried it a couple of times and I can safely say, it’s nowhere near as smart as Google. And search history?! Whattheblahwhat? How many times do YOU search for the same thing more than once? Having trouble with your short term memory? Even if you do, Every browser ever has a history stored ANYWAY. Don’t even start me about ads. When did we collectively decide we WANT ads? We hate comercial breaks during our favorite shows, we instantly trash paper flyers out of the mailbox, but when it’s E-LEC-TRONIC it’s all hip and great and customized. People really need to stop thinking crappy things are suddenly great and wonderful just because it’s nice and shiny. Comment Name * Email *

Δ  Save my name and email and send me emails as new comments are made to this post.

How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 76How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 3How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 97How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 89How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 5How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 6How to Use the Microsoft Personal Data Dashboard - 78