How to prevent your PC from sending Diagnostics & feedback off via Windows Settings and Group Policy

By default, Windows collects diagnostics and feedback data to improve its products and services. That sounds helpful, but it also means your PC is regularly sending Microsoft information about your system, usage, and even app behavior. If you value privacy or just want to reduce unnecessary background activity, you can shut this off — either through Windows Settings or Group Policy.

Here’s how to do it.

Method 1: Disable Diagnostics & Feedback via Windows Settings

This is the simplest route for most users.

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.

Step 2: Navigate to Privacy & Security

On the left sidebar, select Privacy & security.
Click on Diagnostics & feedback under the “Windows permissions” section.

Step 3: Adjust Diagnostic Data

Set Send optional diagnostic data to Off. You’ll still send basic data, but optional info (like how you use apps) won’t be shared.

Step 4: Turn Off Feedback Requests

Scroll down and set Feedback frequency to Never.

Step 5: Delete Previously Collected Data (Optional)

Click Delete under “Delete diagnostic data” to wipe what’s already been collected.

This reduces what Microsoft gathers — but doesn’t eliminate it completely. For that, you’ll need Group Policy.

Method 2: Use Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro and Enterprise Users)

If you’re running Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise, you can lock things down tighter.

Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor

Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Right Policy

Go to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds

Step 3: Configure Telemetry Settings

Double-click Allow Telemetry.
Set it to Disabled or select 0 – Security [Enterprise Only] if available.
Click Apply and then OK.

⚠️ Note: The “Security” level is only fully respected in Enterprise editions. For Pro, “Basic” (aka Required) is the minimum allowed.

Step 4: Block Feedback Notifications

In the same Group Policy Editor, go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
Double-click Do not show feedback notifications and set it to Enabled.

Bonus: Kill Background Data Collection with Services

If you’re serious about stopping telemetry, disable these services too:

Open Services.msc.
Find and disable:
- Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
- Diagnostics Tracking Service (if present)

Set them to Disabled and stop the service if it’s running.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft makes it harder than it should be to opt out of data collection entirely — especially on non-Enterprise editions. But with a few setting tweaks and some policy changes, you can minimize how much your PC reports back.

If you care about performance, bandwidth, or privacy, it’s worth doing. Just remember: some future updates or resets might change these settings back. Recheck them occasionally if staying locked down is important to you.

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