Many will appreciate this effort to recover an old utility that, once made compatible with Windows 11, will also be able to release this new version of the operating system for ads and telemetry.
It was a popular tool during the heyday of Windows XP, allowing for intense adjustments to be made to the system that bypassed Microsoft telemetry and disabled some programs or services by default that the company forced on its systems. For example, it disabled the automatic start of some programs as well as other functions with which Microsoft collected information about the user’s use of the computer.
Although it was specifically designed for XP, the program, called xp-AntiSpy, also had a beta version for Windows 10, and versions compatible with Windows 7 or Windows Vista. However, after the end of the XP era, the program ended up forgotten or in disuse. However, its developer, named Belim and known for having created another relatively well-known application called Winpilot, has published a new version of this tool on GitHub for use in the latest iteration of Microsoft’s OS: Windows 11.
Renamed “xd-Antispy”, with the “xd” referring not only to the emoticon but also to the term “eXtreme Defense”, this new program resurrects the tool so that it can be applied to Microsoft telemetry in Windows 11, for example, by disabling some functions of the Edge browser, or eliminating the advertisements that Microsoft injects into some corners of the operating system.
The project is downloadable from the GitHub Belim, however, always take due precautions when downloading an unofficial third-party program.
An old tool, still very useful
It’s no wonder the developer thought that a similar program would still be coveted today, as Windows users continue to complain about all the out-of-the-box programs and bloatware that Microsoft stuffs Windows PCs with. This new program is a fork of the original, and Belim started working on it from its latest version, thus staying true to the initial intention.
Belim
@builtbybel
Just released a private project: xD-AntiSpy 😎! It’s a fork of the original, picking up where the last version left off. ✨ https://t.co/AfyGzHEtFw
#xDAntiSpy #xpantispy #windows11 #windows #app #microsoft #privacy https://t.co/wajGZtGLn5
June 26, 2024 • 12:10
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In the project repository, Belim clarifies: “The last stable version of XP-Antispy was 3.98-2. I am now still on version 4.0 (although this is the first public release of the application). The little tool has now entered its stable phase. I rewrote all the functions of my old C++ version into C#. If you are missing something from the classic XP-AntiSpy, feel free to submit a feature request. Just a heads up: I have localization covered and will implement translations in upcoming releases. The nostalgic look of XD-AntiSpy (don’t let it fool you, it’s intentional) is combined with smart features. And don’t worry, Winpilot’s Clippy won’t bother you anymore,” the programmer reports.
The new version will therefore retain its vintage aesthetic, out of pure nostalgic taste, despite having undergone major changes under the hood.
