Microsoft has announced a number of changes regarding the way it collects data and informs users concerning the process regardless of product.

The organization explains the data it collects would be categorized in two different groups for "major products," namely required or optional.

The required category includes data that Microsoft needs to provide users with the expected functionality from the products, including here the relation to a search query when looking for something on Bing, for example.

This is information that Microsoft must provide relevant search engine results, and the company explains that other data includes the Ip, type and version of the device, as well as diagnostic data that could help fix and stop failures and crashes.

Microsoft states that users is going to be provided with controls over the collected data in some instances, but it's important to know that this is tied to the functionality of certain products.

"We are working on providing additional configuration options which will give customers additional control over the collection of data that's required for certain features or functions," it says.

"Changes rolling out in a few months"

The optional category includes data that users may have full treatments for, like information "about the images people are inserting into Word documents."

"We think you will find compelling causes of people to share this optional data, since it creates the opportunity for new and richer experiences. But we want individuals to understand what's happening and to have the opportunity to create this alternative on their own," Microsoft notes.

Microsoft says it'll also enhance the documentation it provides to users and provide more information on this data collection process. A biannual report may also be published to detail changes designed to data collection.

All these changes will start rolling in the approaching months, according to Microsoft, using the revised documentation and reporting to first target Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus.