How can application software be prevented from transmitting information about you?

[miner_tom]

Hi,

I am not talking about browsers here. Tor and the Tor project seem to be
centered around anonymous browsing of webpages. At least, that is what I
have learned from the documentation that I have read.

I am concerned with software that sends back information concerning
updates, etc. What if I am running something like "office" (mine is
fully registered BTW) just as an example. Or any of the multitude of
applications out there that are always sending out information for
legitimate purposes?

Is there anything like real anonymity when running corporate based
software applications? Not accusing anyone of doing anything wrong here
but I am trying to wrap my head around the concept of anonymity.

Thanks