At least 70% of what's in the script can also be done via the UI, and I'd say another 10% is stuff you really shouldn't do anyway (disabling SmartScreen etc.)... The telemetry bit is about 20 or lines, if that.
SmartScreen basically sends your files to Microsoft, for "enhanced security" or something.
FWIW I put Defender on notification only mode because Microsoft ever so helpfully removed the actual quarantine directory and now files dumped into quarantine are basically unrecoverable.
I just use the firewall with a third party interactive GUI and block anything that I can't identify.
No they haven't removed the quarantine restoration option. You can mark any file it quarantines as safe, and it gets restored and never flagged again.
what does this option do then?
https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/img_599...
and of course: it's enabled by default
plus the T&Cs let them send whatever they want
Windows now behaves like mid 2000s malware, but with more ads
Yes, the quarantine is still there. But if Defender can't pull the file out, you can't just open the folder manually and cut-paste anymore. Your file for all intents and purposes is gone.
Granted most people will never have to worry about this.