How to Disable Telemetry in Windows 11?

Patrick_Yu · 12:49PM

What is Windows telemetry?

Windows telemetry is a system that collects diagnostic and usage data from your computer, which Microsoft uses to improve the stability and functionality of Windows. This data includes information like system performance, hardware and software configurations, app usage patterns, and error reports. Microsoft analyzes telemetry to identify bugs, optimize features, and enhance the overall user experience.

However, some users feel uneasy about the volume of information Microsoft collects and prefer not to share details of their computing habits. For these users, disabling telemetry can offer peace of mind, allowing them to use Windows without wondering if their data is being shared without their full control.

Reasons to disable telemetry

There are several reasons users choose to disable telemetry in Windows. The most common reason is privacy. Telemetry can include a range of information about your system and app usage, and while Microsoft assures that it takes measures to protect user data, some users are uncomfortable sharing this level of detail with a third party.

Another reason is performance. Telemetry services run in the background and can consume system resources, including CPU and memory. By disabling telemetry, you might experience a slight performance improvement, especially on lower-end systems where every bit of performance matters. Additionally, if you use a metered internet connection or a limited data plan, reducing telemetry can help conserve bandwidth, as telemetry periodically uploads data to Microsoft’s servers.

How to disable telemetry in Windows 11

If you’re looking to disable telemetry in Windows 11, there are several methods available to help you reduce the amount of data your system shares with Microsoft. While telemetry is intended to enhance Windows services by providing insights into system performance and usage, disabling it can offer more control over your privacy and improve your system’s performance. Below are a few methods to help you disable telemetry in Windows 11.

Step 1: Turn off optional diagnostic data collection, tailored experiences, and delete diagnostic data on Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing Win + I and go to Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & feedback.
Toggle off Send optional diagnostic data to limit the data sent to Microsoft to only the essentials.
Next, scroll down and turn off Tailored experiences. This setting uses diagnostic data to personalize ads, tips, and recommendations in Windows based on your activity. Disabling it helps further protect your privacy by stopping Windows from customizing content based on your system usage.
Finally, under Delete diagnostic data, click on Delete to remove any diagnostic data previously collected from your device. This clears the stored data associated with your device in Microsoft’s servers, giving you a fresh start.

Step 2: Disable other diagnostic data on Windows 11

Windows 11 has several other settings that collect diagnostic and usage data. To fully disable telemetry and related tracking, follow these steps to turn off additional diagnostic features.

How to disable online speech recognition on Windows 11

Press Win + I to open the Settings app, then go to Privacy & Security.
Under the Windows permissions section, click on Speech.
Toggle off Online speech recognition to prevent Microsoft from collecting data from voice commands and interactions.

Disable inking & typing personalization on Windows 11

Go back to Privacy & Security in Settings, then click on Inking & typing personalization.
Toggle off Personal inking & typing dictionary to stop Windows from collecting data based on your typing and handwriting inputs.

Stop activity tracking on Windows 11

Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
Go to Privacy & Security and click on Activity History.
Toggle off Store my activity history on this device, then click Clear History to delete previously saved activity data.

Disable Windows 11 advertising trackers

Open Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security > General.
Toggle off all options except Show me notifications in the settings app to turn off personalized ads and tracking based on app and browsing usage.

Turn off Windows 11 Find My Device feature

Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security > Find my device.
Toggle off Find My Device to prevent Windows from tracking your device’s location, enhancing your privacy.

Disabling telemetry in Windows 11 can give you greater control over your privacy and may even improve your system’s performance by reducing background data collection. While telemetry is designed to help Microsoft refine and stabilize Windows, turning it off allows you to keep your computing habits private and minimize resource usage. By following these steps, you can customize your Windows experience to prioritize both privacy and efficiency. Remember, you can always re-enable these settings if you find that you want or need the benefits of diagnostic feedback in the future.