How to Disable Telemetry and Tracking in Windows 11

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My Technician
Windows 11PrivacySecurity

What Windows 11 Collects

Windows 11 sends Microsoft diagnostic data (telemetry), uses an advertising ID to personalize ads, and logs activity history and app usage. You can't reduce required diagnostics to zero on Home or Pro, but you can switch off everything optional and shrink your footprint considerably.

Cleaning up the OS in general? Pair this with how to debloat Windows 11.

The Privacy Pass: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Minimize Diagnostic Data

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback.
  2. Turn off Send optional diagnostic data.
  3. Turn off Tailored experiences and set Feedback frequency to Never.
  4. Click Delete under Delete diagnostic data.

Step 2: Turn Off the Advertising ID

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → General.
  2. Turn off Let apps show me personalized ads using my advertising ID and the other suggestion toggles.

Step 3: Stop Activity History

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → Activity history.
  2. Untick Store my activity history on this device and click Clear.

Step 4: Lock Down App Permissions

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → scroll to App permissions.
  2. Review Location, Camera, Microphone, and Account info—turn off access for apps that don't need it.
  3. Turn Location off entirely if you don't use it, then click Clear to wipe location history.

Step 5: Trim Search and Cloud Sync

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → Search permissions → turn off cloud content search and search history if you don't want them.
  2. If you don't use it, sign out of OneDrive to stop background sync—related: fix OneDrive sync issues.

Step 6: Reduce Telemetry via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)

On Windows 11 Pro:

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Data Collection and Preview Builds.
  3. Open Allow Diagnostic Data, set it to Enabled, and choose the lowest level available (Diagnostic data off / Security).

What Not to Do

  • Don't disable Windows Update or Microsoft Defender in the name of privacy—you'd trade tracking for real security risk. Keep them working: Windows Defender not working.

Keep Sensitive Data Locked Down

Storing passwords and private files? An offline, encrypted vault like Sentinel Vault keeps credentials on your PC instead of the cloud—no account, no sync, no tracking.

Next Steps