# A hacker’s arrest just revealed how Microsoft can track your Windows device

> A teenager allegedly used a VPN to cover his tracks while hacking a US jewelry retailer, but Microsoft knew anyway.

- **Source:** [Digital Trends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/your-windows-pc-has-been-quietly-tracking-you-and-a-hackers-arrest-just-made-it-public/?utm_source=gearopen.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=6a4d6ee0f5b8c00a6bc0e70f)
- **Published:** 2026-07-07
- **Category:** Apps
- **Tags:** #microsoft #windows
- **Canonical:** http://localhost:4321/a/6a4d6ee0f5b8c00a6bc0e70f

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_GearOpen's distilled summary. The full original article is published at Digital Trends (source link above); GearOpen does not republish the source's full text._