Is there a way to locate a stolen laptop using Windows Update or Microsoft Update collected information?

Question

Microsoft collects information when an update is performed or a Windows Validation is installed. Is there any way to use this information to catch the user of the stolen laptop while they update their machine manually or automatically? There must be a backdoor somewhere.

I know that it can be formatted but the processor serial number remains. I wonder if it gets recorded by Microsoft or perhaps and anti-virus vendor.

Answer 1

That might be possible but it will require co-ordination with law enforcement and the necessary warrants.

I worked for an major ISP (when dialup was the thing) and one of our customer's laptop was stolen. Detectives worked with our legal department to track the laptop.

Apparently, the thief/thieves were stupid enough to continue to use the victim's internet account. Since we could see where the calls originated, it wasn't rocket science.

So ... depending on how savvy the criminals are (and what they have/have not disabled) and what info MS collects - maybe.

Answer 2

the only information MS collects relates to the updates and what you have and what you need. Moreover, there is a way in the BIOS to shut off the serial number being revealed to the OS and if I am not mistaken most manufacturers turn this off by default. It all comes down to privacy, and I i know this don't help you, but thousands of technology devices are taken every year and they are never recovered because people want their privacy, well until their stuff gets ripped off.

I know IBM and probably other vendors have built in tracking and if its stolen and gets online it send out a beacon to the service and they can recover....but thats a paid extra per laptop or device.

Answer 3

Im sure there is a way, but actually doing it is a pretty far reach out there. If it was that simple, then you would hear about microsoft recovering laptops daily. What if they formatted the laptop then registered it with another serial number? Then your just out of luck....

(get what im saying, its that easy to get away from it)