How to Disable Telemetry on Windows 11

If you’re familiar with Windows 10, you may have encountered the Telemetry System. For those who aren’t, telemetry is an automated process that collects data remotely. In the context of computers, it refers to the data gathered about user activities.

Tech companies utilize telemetry systems to gather data that helps enhance user experiences with their applications and services. Microsoft, for instance, collects user data through its telemetry system on Windows 11 to improve the overall experience.

What is Windows Telemetry?

Microsoft collects various types of activity information, including the applications you use, system settings, Windows configurations, and websites you visit, sending this data to its servers. This information is crucial for Microsoft to enhance the operating system, bolster security, and fix existing bugs.

While Microsoft has valid reasons for collecting this data, it can raise privacy concerns for many users. Not everyone is comfortable sharing their system and app usage details without explicit consent. If you prefer not to have Windows 11 collect and send telemetry data to Microsoft, you can disable it manually.

Disabling telemetry on Windows 11 is straightforward and doesn’t require any third-party applications. Below are some effective methods to limit data collection on your system.

1. Disable Sending Diagnostic Data

To begin, you should turn off the option to send optional diagnostic data to Microsoft. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. In the Settings app, navigate to the Privacy & Security section on the left.
3. Scroll down on the right and click on Diagnostics & feedback.
4. Expand the Diagnostic data section and toggle off Send optional diagnostic data.
5. Scroll down and expand Tailored experiences.
6. Turn off the toggle for Let Microsoft use your diagnostic data.

2. Disable Additional Diagnostic Data

To further prevent data tracking, you need to disable a few more options:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
3. Click on Speech in the right pane.
4. Toggle off Online Speech recognition.
5. Return to the previous page and select Inking & typing personalization.
6. Turn off the toggle for Personal inking and typing dictionary.
7. Go back and click on Activity History.
8. Toggle off Store my activity history on this device and click on the Clear History button.

3. Adjust General Privacy Settings

You can also modify some general privacy settings to limit data tracking:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll down and click on General under Windows permissions.
4. Disable all four options:
– Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
– Let websites show me locally relevant content by accessing my language list.
– Show me suggested content in the Settings app.
– Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches.

After making these changes, restart your Windows 11 computer.

4. Disable the Find My Device Feature

While the Find My Device feature can be helpful, it allows Microsoft to track your location. If you want to avoid this data tracking, consider turning it off:

1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Click on Find my device on the right side.
4. Toggle off Find My Device.

These steps will help you effectively disable telemetry on your Windows 11 PC, enhancing your privacy. Learn More