Since the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has been accused of breaching privacy and connecting users to services without proper disclosure. The company now has released a list of websites and services that a Windows PC connects to after a clean install.
The list mostly consists of Microsoft services which provide data endpoints to the respective Microsoft apps. The list can be derived after installing Windows 10 (1709 or above) and leaving the PC idle on default settings for a week. This can then be used to Compile reports on traffic going to public IP addresses. However, if you don’t want to go through all that then you can head below to take a look at the list.
Apps
Weather app Live Tile. If you turn off traffic to this endpoint, no Live Tiles will be updated.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| explorer | HTTP | tile-service.weather.microsoft.com | 1709 |
| HTTP | blob.weather.microsoft.com | 1803 |
OneNote Live Tile. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall OneNote or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTPS | cdn.onenote.net/livetile/?Language=en-US | 1709 |
Twitter. To turn off traffic for these endpoints, either uninstall Twitter or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTPS | wildcard.twimg.com | 1709 | |
| svchost.exe | oem.twimg.com/windows/tile.xml | 1709 |
Facebook. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall Facebook or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| star-mini.c10r.facebook.com | 1709 |
Photos App. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the Photos app or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| WindowsApps\Microsoft.Windows.Photos | HTTPS | evoke-windowsservices-tas.msedge.net | 1709 |
Candy Crush Saga. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall Candy Crush Saga or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLS v1.2 | candycrushsoda.king.com | 1709 |
Microsoft Wallet. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the Wallet app or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| system32\AppHostRegistrationVerifier.exe | HTTPS | wallet.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Groove Music. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, apps for websites won’t work and customers who visit websites (such as mediaredirect.microsoft.com) that are registered with their associated app (such as Groove Music) will stay at the website and won’t be able to directly launch the app.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| system32\AppHostRegistrationVerifier.exe | HTTPS | mediaredirect.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Cortana and Search
Microsoft Store Suggestions. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, you will block images that are used for Microsoft Store suggestions.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| searchui | HTTPS | store-images.s-microsoft.com | 1709 |
Cortana greetings, tips, and Live Tiles. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, you will block updates to Cortana greetings, tips, and Live Tiles.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| backgroundtaskhost | HTTPS | www.bing.com/client | 1709 |
Live Tiles. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, parameters would not be updated and the device would no longer participate in experiments.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| backgroundtaskhost | HTTPS | www.bing.com/proactive | 1709 |
Cortana to report diagnostic and diagnostic data information. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, Microsoft won’t be aware of issues with Cortana and won’t be able to fix them.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| searchui backgroundtaskhost | HTTPS | www.bing.com/threshold/xls.aspx | 1709 |
Certificates
Automatic Root Certificates Update component. It is possible to turn off traffic to this endpoint, but that is not recommended because when root certificates are updated over time, applications and websites may stop working because they did not receive an updated root certificate the application uses.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTP | ctldl.windowsupdate.com | 1709 |
Download certificates. We do not recommend blocking this endpoint. If traffic to this endpoint is turned off, Windows no longer automatically downloads certificates known to be fraudulent, which increases the attack vector on the device.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTP | ctldl.windowsupdate.com | 1709 |
Device authentication
The following endpoint is used to authenticate a device. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the device will not be authenticated.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTPS | login.live.com/ppsecure | 1709 |
Device metadata
The following endpoint is used to retrieve device metadata. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, metadata will not be updated for the device.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| dmd.metaservices.microsoft.com.akadns.net | 1709 | ||
| HTTP | dmd.metaservices.microsoft.com | 1803 |
Diagnostic Data
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, diagnostic and usage information, which helps Microsoft find and fix problems and improve our products and services, will not be sent back to Microsoft.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | cy2.vortex.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net | 1709 | |
| svchost | v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1 | 1709 |
Windows Error Reporting. To turn off traffic for these endpoints, enable the following Group Policy: Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting > Disable Windows Error Reporting.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| wermgr | watson.telemetry.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| TLS v1.2 | modern.watson.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net | 1709 |
Font streaming
Download fonts on demand. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, you will not be able to download fonts on demand.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | fs.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| fs.microsoft.com/fs/windows/config.json | 1709 |
Licensing
The following endpoint is used for online activation and some app licensing. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, disable the Windows License Manager Service. This will also block online activation and app licensing may not work.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| licensemanager | HTTPS | licensing.mp.microsoft.com/v7.0/licenses/content | 1709 |
Location
The following endpoint is used for location data. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, apps cannot use location data.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net | 1709 |
Maps
The following endpoint is used to check for updates to maps that have been downloaded for offline use. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, offline maps will not be updated.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTPS | *g.akamaiedge.net | 1709 |
Microsoft account
The following endpoints are used for Microsoft accounts to sign in. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, users cannot sign in with Microsoft accounts.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| login.msa.akadns6.net | 1709 | ||
| system32\Auth.Host.exe | HTTPS | auth.gfx.ms | 1709 |
Microsoft Store
Windows Push Notification Services (WNS). If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, push notifications will no longer work, including MDM device management, mail synchronization, settings synchronization.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| *.wns.windows.com | 1709 |
Revoke licenses for malicious apps. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | storecatalogrevocation.storequality.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Download image files that are called when applications run (Microsoft Store or Inbox MSN Apps). If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the image files won’t be downloaded, and apps cannot be installed or updated from the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTPS | img-prod-cms-rt-microsoft-com.akamaized.net | 1709 | |
| backgroundtransferhost | HTTPS | store-images.microsoft.com | 1803 |
Communicate with Microsoft Store. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, apps cannot be installed or updated from the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | storeedgefd.dsx.mp.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| HTTP | pti.store.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| TLS v1.2 | cy2.*.md.mp.microsoft.com.*. | 1709 | |
| svchost | HTTPS | displaycatalog.mp.microsoft.com | 1803 |
Network Connection Status Indicator (NCSI)
Network Connection Status Indicator (NCSI) detects Internet connectivity and corporate network connectivity status. NCSI sends a DNS request and HTTP query to this endpoint to determine if the device can communicate with the Internet. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, NCSI won’t be able to determine if the device is connected to the Internet and the network status tray icon will show a warning.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | www.msftconnecttest.com/connecttest.txt | 1709 |
Office
The following endpoints are used to connect to the Office 365 portal’s shared infrastructure, including Office Online. You can turn this off by removing all Microsoft Office apps and the Mail and Calendar apps.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| *.a-msedge.net | 1709 | ||
| hxstr | *.c-msedge.net | 1709 | |
| *.e-msedge.net | 1709 | ||
| *.s-msedge.net | 1709 | ||
| HTTPS | ocos-office365-s2s.msedge.net | 1803 |
Connect to the Office 365 portal’s shared infrastructure, including Office Online. You can turn this off by removing all Microsoft Office apps and the Mail and Calendar apps.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| system32\Auth.Host.exe | HTTPS | outlook.office365.com | 1709 |
Get the metadata of Office apps. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Apps\Microsoft.Windows.Photos | HTTPS | client-office365-tas.msedge.net | 1709 |
OneDrive
Automatically update URLs. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, anything that relies on g.live.com to get updated URL information will no longer work.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| onedrive | HTTP \ HTTPS | g.live.com/1rewlive5skydrive/ODSUProduction | 1709 |
Download and verify app updates. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, uninstall OneDrive for Business. In this case, your device will not able to get OneDrive for Business app updates.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| onedrive | HTTPS | oneclient.sfx.ms | 1709 |
Settings
Dynamically update their configuration. Apps such as System Initiated User Feedback and the Xbox app use it. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, an app that uses this endpoint may stop working.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| dmclient | cy2.settings.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net | 1709 | |
| dmclient | HTTPS | settings.data.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Dynamically update app configuration. Apps such as Windows Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component and Windows Insider Program use it. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, an app that uses this endpoint may stop working.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTPS | settings-win.data.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Skype
Retrieve Skype configuration values. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps.exe | HTTPS | config.edge.skype.com | 1709 |
Windows Defender
Cloud-based Protection (enabled). If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the device will not use Cloud-based Protection.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| wdcp.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Definition updates. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, definitions will not be updated.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| definitionupdates.microsoft.com | 1709 | ||
| MpCmdRun.exe | HTTPS | go.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Windows Spotlight
Retrieve Windows Spotlight metadata that describes content, such as references to image locations, as well as suggested apps, Microsoft account notifications, and Windows tips. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, Windows Spotlight will still try to deliver new lock screen images and updated content but it will fail; suggested apps, Microsoft account notifications, and Windows tips will not be downloaded.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| backgroundtaskhost | HTTPS | arc.msn.com | 1709 |
| backgroundtaskhost | g.msn.com.nsatc.net | 1709 | |
| TLS v1.2 | *.search.msn.com | 1709 | |
| HTTPS | ris.api.iris.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| HTTPS | query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Windows Update
Windows Update downloads of apps and OS updates. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, Windows Update downloads will not be managed, as critical metadata that is used to make downloads more resilient is blocked.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTPS | *.prod.do.dsp.mp.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Used to download operating system patches and updates. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the device will not be able to download updates for the operating system.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTP | *.windowsupdate.com | 1709 |
| HTTP | fg.download.windowsupdate.com.c.footprint.net | 1709 |
Highwinds Content Delivery Network. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the device will not perform updates.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| cds.d2s7q6s2.hwcdn.net | 1709 |
Verizon Content Delivery Network. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the device will not perform updates.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | *wac.phicdn.net | 1709 | |
| *wac.edgecastcdn.net | 1709 |
Download apps and Windows Insider Preview builds from the Microsoft Store. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the updating functionality on this device is essentially in a disabled state, resulting in user unable to get apps from the Store, get latest version of Windows, and so on.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | *.tlu.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com.c.footprint.net | 1709 |
Download apps from the Microsoft Store. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, users of the device will not able to get apps from the Microsoft Store.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | emdl.ws.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Enable connections to Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and the online services of the Store. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the device will not be able to connect to Windows Update and Microsoft Update to help keep the device secure.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTPS | fe2.update.microsoft.com | 1709 |
| svchost | fe3.delivery.mp.microsoft.com | 1709 | |
| fe3.delivery.dsp.mp.microsoft.com.nsatc.net | 1709 | ||
| svchost | HTTPS | sls.update.microsoft.com | 1709 |
| HTTP | *.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com | 1803 |
Content regulation. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the Windows Update Agent will be unable to contact the endpoint and fallback behavior will be used.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| svchost | HTTPS | tsfe.trafficshaping.dsp.mp.microsoft.com | 1709 |
Used to download content. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, you will block any content from being downloaded.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| a122.dscd.akamai.net | 1709 | ||
| a1621.g.akamai.net | 1709 |
Microsoft forward link redirection service (FWLink)
The following endpoint is used by the Microsoft forward link redirection service (FWLink) to redirect permanent web links to their actual, sometimes transitory, URL. FWlinks are similar to URL shorteners, just longer.
If you disable this endpoint, Windows Defender won’t be able to update its malware definitions; links from Windows and other Microsoft products to the Web won’t work; and PowerShell updateable Help won’t update. To disable the traffic, instead disable the traffic that’s getting forwarded.
| Source process | Protocol | Destination | Applies from Windows 10 version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | HTTPS | go.microsoft.com | 1709 |
These are the endpoints used by Microsoft to provide different metadata for different apps and services. While Microsoft has added a way to disable endpoints, it’s not recommended to do so as it might break an app or multiple apps that use the endpoint to fetch data.
Also, do note that the endpoints mentioned above are only available on Windows 10 (1709 or above). For endpoints related to other versions, head to docs.microsoft.com to know more.
