Windows suddenly starts merging data between different machines

same log-in, different machines

[engine]

I noticed that the wallpaper on my five year old laptop, Win 8.1, had suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a wallpaper from another machine, running on Win 10. Without notification, it seems that Microsoft has decided to associate the machine with a newer machine.
I see the connection because of the user log-in being the same, however, this has never happened since the machines were set up. There appeared to me to be no option to stop the convergence.
Perhaps you know otherwise.
I may have to use a new login for every machine from now on. Another sigh!

[Andy Langton]

On the Win 10 machine, it's in "Sync your settings", under "accounts" in the Metro-style settings panel.

[not2easy]

It would concern me to learn that different machines were communicating without my request unless I specifically set them up to do so. For any reason. Considering the careless habits of the "average" (non tech type) user, I view this as rather disturbing.

[LifeinAsia]

It would concern me to learn that different machines were communicating without my request

Skynet is live...

[not2easy]

I should have been more specific - I meant "my" machines, heh ;)

[LifeinAsia]

I just happened to watch one of the Terminator movies last night, so it was on my mind. :)

[Robert Charlton]

I don't know whether this applies in this auto-sync situation, but last night I was reading a thread in the Vivaldi support forums that discussed the invasive nature of Windows 10, and one of the Vivaldi moderators suggested a free tool, called O&O ShutUp, that consolidates control of the Windows 10 anti-privacy features, currently scatted around the operating system, into one interface. Sounds like it's a non-invasive program that does not itself have to be installed.

I'm taking the liberty of linking to the O&O site. I don't have Windows 10. If this program works, I might consider using it. I don't want anything synced to anything off my machine. Am curious about reactions to this.

O&O ShutUp10
Free antispy tool for Windows 10
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 [oo-software.com]

O&O ShutUp10 means you have full control over which comfort functions under Windows 10 you wish to use, and you decide when the passing on of your data goes too far.

Using a very simple interface, you decide how Windows 10 should respect your privacy by deciding which unwanted functions should be deactivated....

The choice of the phrase "comfort functions" provides an interesting insight into the degree of automation Microsoft wants to install.