How will I make Windows 10 collect less telemetry?

https://atlasos.net/ - does all that for you.

Furthermore, search github for debloat scripts

activate the Windows Restricted Traffic Limited Functionality Baseline

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/manage-con...

Acquire a copy of windows long term service contract? LTSC is pretty stable and debloated.

Out of curiosity, what is the use case? (For running Windows in the VM.)

Windows 10 is nearing the end of support.

Windows 11 will make less work for your future self.

If either is running in a VM it will only send telemetry on activity in the VM. If you are just running Word, Word activity is all that will be sent. And if you share documents with anyone not running Word in a VM, Microsoft will probably get similar data. Or ifs you send a document via email all kinds of entities will have metadata.

I guess everyone needs a hobby. For some people it’s trying to beat the house in Vegas. But the people who do do so because it’s their business. Good luck.