4 Features I Always Disable to Improve Privacy on Windows

Windows is a powerful operating system, but it isn’t exactly known for respecting your privacy out of the box. Microsoft builds in a lot of “features” that sound useful but often double as ways to collect data, track usage, or nudge you toward their services.

Whenever I set up a new Windows PC, I go straight to the privacy settings and switch off a few key options. Doing this won’t make you invisible online, but it does cut down on unnecessary tracking and gives you more control over your system.

Here are four Windows features I always disable:

1. Advertising ID

By default, Windows assigns you a unique advertising ID tied to your Microsoft account. Apps and advertisers use this to build a profile on your behavior across different apps and websites.

Why disable it?
It’s basically a tracker baked right into the OS. Turning it off means apps can’t use your ID to target ads.

How to turn it off:
Go to Settings → Privacy → General → Let apps use advertising ID and switch it off.

2. Location Tracking

Windows can track your location to give apps like Maps more accurate results. The problem? Many apps request location access even when they don’t need it.

Why disable it?
Unless you rely on location-based apps on your PC (most people don’t), this setting is just sharing unnecessary data with Microsoft and app developers.

How to turn it off:
Go to Settings → Privacy → Location and toggle off location services. You can also clear your location history here.

3. Cortana

Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant, collects a lot of personal data to function—things like contacts, calendar details, and even your typing patterns.

Why disable it?
Most users never touch Cortana. If you don’t use it, there’s no reason to let it run in the background and collect data.

How to turn it off:
On Windows 10, go to Settings → Cortana and disable every toggle. On Windows 11, Cortana is less integrated, but you can still disable it from Startup apps in Task Manager.

4. Activity History (Timeline)

Windows can store a record of your activity—apps you open, files you use, websites you visit—so you can pick up where you left off across devices.

Why disable it?
It’s essentially a diary of everything you do on your computer stored in the cloud. That’s not something I want sitting on Microsoft’s servers.

How to turn it off:
Go to Settings → Privacy → Activity history and uncheck “Store my activity history on this device” and “Send my activity history to Microsoft.”

Final Thoughts

Disabling these features won’t cripple your Windows experience. You’ll still be able to use apps, browse the web, and get work done—just with fewer trackers in the background.

If privacy matters to you, take ten minutes to go through these settings. Small changes add up, and your personal data will stay a little more personal.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!