Story
Full Writeup of the Windows GDID
1 report
1 website
1 discussion
Latest report
Overview
Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) is generated, stored, and transmitted as a persistent fingerprint for Windows devices. Even when not logged in with a Microsoft Account (MSA), a GDID is still assigned, utilizing an anonymous device path for identification.
Summary from github.com.
Reports
One report so far. Additional coverage will appear here when it is linked to this story.
Community reactions
Each reaction summarizes sampled comments from the linked discussion.
Hacker News · github.com
Hacker News discussion ↗
Historical count: 5 · 5 saved in sample · Historical sample
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Read this discussion’s reaction
Based on 5 sampled comments from this thread. Analyzed 2026-07-07.
- Praise: The GDID's stability as a unique identifier could be a game-changer for device attribution in legal cases, reducing ambiguity in court.
- Praise: Some commenters appreciate the technical distinction between GDID and GUID, showcasing the community's engagement with the underlying technology.
- Concern: There's a strong sentiment that the use of GDID for tracking feels invasive, with many questioning its legitimate applications beyond law enforcement and targeted ads.
- Concern: Skepticism looms over the accuracy of the GDID details presented, with claims that the supposed telemetry is unconfirmed and potentially misleading.