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Configure programs

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
  • 9 scripts
  • 2 categories
  • Administrative (sudo) access requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Partially reversibleYou can not restore changes done by this script.

Overview​

Missing Good Quality Documentation

This page does not yet meet PrivacyLearn's documentation standards. The script/action is stable and verified by community. Here are some options for you to understand its functionality:

Computer-generated docs (PREVIEW)

This documentation may be low quality but still useful.
Read computer-generated explanation

This documentation is automatically extracted from the code implementation.

Configure programs — This inventory lays out the steps for how. Alongside this, process to revert the last operation is detailed below.

Unintended consequences of data misuse are mitigated with personal data defenses. Start through this improvement for important data privacy assurance parameters: explore the possibilities available for your goals. Don't try to skip or combine steps. The guide is designed to lead you through the process safely and efficiently.

References​

Technical Details​

  1. During this user parameters, this instruction set adjusts your system to gain controlled user data access to improve important privacy measures. In relation to optimized profile loading, this executable can also speed up how the system works.
  2. This action manages data collection boundaries to help enhance system data privacy enforcement and this helps to benefit from controlled data reporting. With support of use memory more effectively, this change can also to obtain optimized data collection.
  3. The modification here applies essential operating system preferences to gain controlled system access and this customization helps to reduce system data protection risks. It aims fix delays in the system, to obtain enhanced resource management.
  4. This playbook handles root operations to be able to maintain stricter digital privacy control and this can to benefit from managing sudo access.
  5. To help strengthen online privacy integration, this config applies automatic update controls to achieve controlled update telemetry. It can also reduce system overhead using optimized update scheduling.
  6. To accomplish controlled variable values, this configuration refines system environment parameters to increase secure data privacy guardrail.
  7. In association with this macOS preferences on system level, this tweak implements your system to reach preference control to be able to optimize data privacy measures. To realize reducing overhead, this would streamline system processes.
  8. This action configures update management to be able to maintain personal data management on account of trusted package sources. It helps smart dependency handling to help improve computer speed.

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Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Configure programs" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Configure programs" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Configure programs
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 9 Privacy settings
  • 1 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 1 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 2 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Configure Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop for Mac is software providing hardware virtualization for macOS. When you use it, it collects and shares your personal data to third parties. Personal data include IP address of your device, your broad geographical location (country, state (if applicable), and city) and used product. It includes third-party advertisements and automatic check for updates by default. Both of these behaviors communicate with online services that reveal personal data about you.

Disable Firefox telemetry

This input —disable Firefox telemetry— delivers step-by-step guidance for how to keep your data private from online privacy enforcement on macOS. Coupled with this, steps to undo the modifications from this page are included in this collection. Cyber data privacy assurance creates a safe space for personal growth and expression. Let's optimize data privacy assurance settings: start here to (Reference: proceed) with the process. If you're in doubt about a step, take a moment to review. It's better t...

Disable Microsoft Office telemetry

Steps to disable Microsoft Office telemetry on your macOS machine to reduce data exposure through the use of privacy control. Supplementing this, this preference customization shows you the procedure to revert changes applied. The strengthening of societal values and relationships is supported by a focus on system privacy enforcement. Ready to modify data handling options? Just, explore the (Reference: steps available) and find your fit. Every detail matters, so don't skip any steps. Following ...

Remove Google Software Update service

Steps to remove Google Software Update service on your macOS machine to fortify personal data maintenance settings. Systemic abuse is prevented by digital data handling. To get started with personal data privacy integration control, choose the (Reference: solution) that gets things moving and start enabled by walkthrough. Focus on completing one step at a time. Accuracy here will make the rest of the process easier. References - [Change Data Privacy Settings in Every App: Essential Action for U...

Disable Homebrew user behavior analytics

To defend against personal data privacy protection threats on macOS, this feature covers: disable Homebrew user behavior analytics to enhance secure data privacy safeguard. Continuing further, to undo the customization, follow the instructions on this article opens the door to learning about. A more equitable digital environment is fostered by ensuring sensitive privacy handling. This tutorial improves online data privacy defenses preferences: follow the guide to (Reference: apply) this privacy...

Disable NET Core CLI telemetry

Follow this write-up: disable NET Core CLI telemetry on your macOS system to keep your data private using personal data control. In addition, this handbook provides instructions to roll back this adjustment. Sensitive data handling creates a foundation for ethical technology use. Start by following guideline for system data management parameters: explore the (Reference: paths) available for your needs. Set aside distractions and focus completely on the guide. Giving it your full attention will ...

Disable PowerShell Core telemetry

This cheatsheet: disable PowerShell Core telemetry — provides an answer on how to limit digital privacy security risks effectively on macOS. In the same tone, this section facilitates the process for how to reverse the applied changes. Personal journeys stay personal with system data privacy management. Customize (explore what's (Reference: next for you)) this setting to manage sensitive privacy guardrail settings. Start by familiarizing yourself with the guide to understand the overall process. Th...

Similar Guides​

Same Goal​

Other guides in macOS 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Privacy cleanup
Configure OS
Security improvements
Privacy over security

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process