Adguard bypass Windows Tracking user's settings

[msnloop]

Adguard bypass Windows Tracking user's settings with wrong values when they are unchecked.

1. Enable Stealth mode
   Once you enable the Stealth mode, the following settings are automatically enabled:

• Disable Windows Telemetry (AllowTelemetry=0)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
• Turn off Advertising ID (DisabledByGroupPolicy=1)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AdvertisingInfo

2. Uncheck the Windows Tracking (Telemetry, Advertising ID)
   But even if you uncheck them, Adguard still configure them in the registry at every reboot of the machine.

At this time Adguard set the value AllowTelemetry=1, DisabledByGroupPolicy=0

3. Delete the keys in the registry manually then reboot the device

4. Reboot the device and monitor
   I was able to capture the configuration with procmon at the reboot of the machine. This clearly shows that Adguard set value even when it is not supposed to do so.

This issue is problematic for Windows insider as they cannot receive updates anymore. Because an incorrect value is set by Adguard (AllowTelemetry=1 | DisabledByGroupPolicy=0)

Then, the user is blocked by group policy and cannot change its privacy settings afterward

Expected behavior

Adguard should remove the registries keys it created and stop disabling the diagtrack service when Windows tracking is unchecked. Configuring wrong values (1/0) can create undesirable effect because theses settings accept more value. Also the user is not able to changes its settings as Adguard use Group policy to set them

Example: The AllowTelemetry key accept multiple values
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/configure-windows-diagnostic-data-in-your-organization
Diagnostic data off (Security) 0
Required (Basic) 1
Enhanced 2
Optional (Full) 3

environment

• Operating system and version: (Windows 10, v2004 build 19041.450)

[FlyingHorseGA]

I can confirm that I have the same issue. Also Running x64 Windows 10 v2004 (Build 19041.450).

[2civics]

I can also confirm that I have the same issue. I also tried changing the AllowTelemetry to "3". Rebooted and AdGuard changed it back to "1". Running x64 Windows 10 v2004 (Build 19041.488)

[adbuker]

@withinpipo , @FlyingHorseGA , @2civics , could you please update to the latest nightly version, we've fixed the issue

[2civics]

I've updated to the latest nightly. I can confirm that on my machine the issue is fixed on X64 Windows 10 v2004 (Build 19041.488)

[adbuker]

@2civics, great news, thanks for the check

[msnloop]

I have updated to nightly and can confirmed the registry keys are deleted.

This path is deleted HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AdvertisingInfo
Theses paths still exist HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection

and I end up like this at every reboot. Did you guys check this behaviour ?

Are you able to register as an windows insider ?