Are you using like MDT, SCCM, or an answer file ( Autounattend.xml )?

The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) offers an explicit configuration prompt. Choosing Express Settings automatically opts the device into multiple telemetry pipelines, user tracking, and cloud dependencies. Recommended Privacy Adjustments for Enterprise Deployments Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 KMS Keys

While the primary link is the recommended entry point, additional resources and language-specific pages are available. The table below provides a curated list of the most important links.

: Prevents the OS from searching the internet for new device drivers.

This modern privacy statement provides:

Whether you are managing a legacy Windows 8.1 kiosk, a factory controller running Server 2012 R2, or simply auditing old infrastructure, you must know how installation features handle data. The — https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/hardware/hh831747(v=vs.85) —is your authoritative source.

These pages are part of Microsoft’s “Previous Versions” documentation and remain legally referenced for systems still under support contracts or ESU agreements.

Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Privacy Statement for Installation Features