How to Disable Windows 11’s Tracking Features

Windows 11 collects a range of data—diagnostics, activity history, advertising preferences and more—to “improve your experience.” If you’d rather keep your PC to yourself, here’s exactly how to dial it down (or off) across Settings, Group Policy, Registry—and even with a handy third-party tool.

⚠️ Before You Begin

Back up your data and create a restore point.
Some features (e.g. Windows Update, Microsoft Store apps) may not work optimally if telemetry is turned off completely.
You won’t break Windows, but you may lose tailored suggestions and crash-report insights.

1. Disable Diagnostic & Usage Data

Open Settings (Win + I) → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback.
Under Diagnostic data, select Required diagnostic data only.
Set Send optional diagnostic data to Off.
Under Feedback frequency, choose Never.

2. Turn Off Advertising ID & Tailored Experiences

In Privacy & security, open General.
Toggle Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID to Off.
Go back to Diagnostics & feedback and toggle Improve inking & typing and Tailored experiences to Off.

3. Switch Off Location, Camera, Microphone (App-by-App)

Privacy & security → Location → Location services: set to Off.
Still under Privacy & security, choose Camera: toggle Camera access to Off (or disable per-app).
Repeat for Microphone, Contacts, Calendar, Call history, Email, Tasks, Messaging, Radios, Other devices, Background apps, App diagnostics, Automatic file downloads, Document scanning, File system, Media autoplay, Notifications, Voice activation—either globally or per-app.

4. Turn Off Activity History & Timeline

Settings → Privacy & security → Activity history.
Uncheck Store my activity history on this device.
Click Clear under Clear activity history.
(Optional) Open Task View (Win + Tab) to confirm your timeline is empty.

5. Disable Cortana

Right-click Taskbar → Taskbar settings → under Taskbar items, toggle Search and Chat off.
(Advanced) Open Services (Win + R → services.msc) → find Cortana → double-click → set Startup type to Disabled.

6. Harden with Group Policy or Registry

Note: Available only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education.

Via Group Policy

Win + R → gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Data Collection and Preview Builds.
Double-click Allow Telemetry, set to Disabled (0) → OK.

Via Registry (all editions)

Win + R → regedit.
Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection

If DataCollection key missing, right-click Windows → New > Key → name it DataCollection.
Inside DataCollection, right-click → New > DWORD (32-bit) Value → name it AllowTelemetry → set value to 0.

7. Bonus: Hosts File & Scheduled Tasks

Edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (as Admin) and add entries pointing Microsoft telemetry domains to 127.0.0.1.
Open Task Scheduler → disable these tasks under Microsoft → Windows:
- Application Experience
- Autochk
- Customer Experience Improvement Program
- Disk Diagnostic
- Maintenance (reboot prompts)

8. One-Click with O&O ShutUp10++

If you’d rather not hunt through dozens of menus, download O&O ShutUp10++ (free, portable).

It presents every Windows privacy toggle in one pane.
Click Apply all recommended settings to shut off most telemetry.
Review each toggle to allow anything you still want.

🔗 Get O&O ShutUp10++

Conclusion

You’ve now cut out the bulk of Windows 11’s tracking—diagnostics, ads, location, activity and more. Keep your machine lean, private, and under your control. After major Windows updates, revisit these settings; Microsoft sometimes turns some telemetry back on by default.

Enjoy your more private Windows 11 experience!

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!