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How to Disable Windows Telemetry

Are you concerned about your privacy settings in Windows? Do you feel uneasy about the amount of data tracking that occurs behind the scenes? You’re not alone. Many users are increasingly aware of, and concerned about, the information that Windows collects about their usage. Windows telemetry, the system that gathers this data, is designed to help Microsoft improve their operating system. However, some users prefer to minimize or even disable this functionality to safeguard their privacy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to disable Windows telemetry and take control of your privacy settings.

Understanding Windows Telemetry

Windows telemetry is a feature built into the Windows operating system that collects data about how you use your computer. This data is then sent back to Microsoft for analysis. The stated purpose is to identify and fix bugs, improve performance, and develop new features. Microsoft categorizes telemetry data into four levels: Security, Basic, Enhanced, and Full.

• Security: This level collects the bare minimum data required to keep Windows secure, such as information about malware and security vulnerabilities.
• Basic: This level includes data about app compatibility, device information, and basic usage data.
• Enhanced: This level adds information about how you use Windows features and applications.
• Full: This level includes the most detailed data, including browsing history, user input, and more.

While Microsoft claims that this data is anonymized and used solely for improving Windows, the sheer volume of information collected raises privacy settings concerns for many users. Understanding what data is being collected is the first step towards controlling it and limiting data tracking.

Why Disable Windows Telemetry?

There are several compelling reasons why you might want to disable Windows telemetry:

• Privacy: The most common reason is to protect your personal privacy settings. Many users are uncomfortable with the idea of their usage data being collected and transmitted to Microsoft, regardless of whether it’s anonymized. Disabling telemetry helps to minimize data tracking and keep your activities private.
• Bandwidth: Telemetry data is transmitted over your internet connection. While the amount of data sent may seem small, it can add up over time, especially if you have a limited data plan. Disabling telemetry can help reduce your bandwidth usage.
• System Resources: The telemetry service runs in the background and consumes system resources, such as CPU and memory. Disabling telemetry can free up these resources and potentially improve your computer’s performance, especially on older or less powerful machines.
• Control: Many users simply want more control over their computer and the data it collects. Disabling telemetry is a way to take back control and decide what information, if any, is shared with Microsoft.

Methods to Disable Windows Telemetry

There are several methods you can use to disable or limit Windows telemetry, ranging from simple settings changes to more advanced techniques. The effectiveness of each method may vary depending on your version of Windows and the updates you have installed.

1. Change Privacy Settings in the Settings App

The easiest way to limit telemetry is through the Windows Settings app. This allows you to adjust various privacy settings related to data tracking.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. In the General tab, turn off the following options:
   • Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app activity
   • Let websites provide locally relevant content by accessing my language list
   • Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results
   • Show me suggested content in the Settings app
4. Navigate to the Speech tab and turn off Online speech recognition.
5. In the Diagnostics & feedback tab:
   • Under Diagnostic data, select Required diagnostic data (previously known as Basic). This limits the amount of telemetry data sent to Microsoft.
   • Turn off Improve inking & typing recognition.
   • Turn off Tailored experiences.
   • Delete diagnostic data by clicking the Delete button.
   • Set Diagnostic data viewing to off.
6. In the Activity history tab, uncheck both options to prevent Windows from collecting your activities.

These steps significantly reduce the amount of telemetry data collected by Windows. By carefully configuring these privacy settings, you can minimize data tracking without completely disabling essential system functions.

2. Using Group Policy Editor (Windows Professional, Enterprise, and Education Editions)

The Group Policy Editor provides more granular control over Windows telemetry settings. This method is only available on Windows Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions.

1. Open the Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing gpedit.msc, and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Data Collection and Preview Builds.
3. Double-click on Allow Telemetry.
4. In the Allow Telemetry window, select Enabled.
5. In the Options section, choose Security from the dropdown menu. This sets the telemetry level to the lowest possible setting.
6. Click Apply and then OK.
7. Next, double-click on Configure Commercial ID.
8. Select Enabled.
9. Leave the Commercial ID field empty.
10. Click Apply and then OK. This setting is important to configure even when you have no commercial ID, to prevent telemetry from reverting to a higher level in some circumstances.

Using the Group Policy Editor offers a more robust way to control telemetry and ensure your privacy settings are enforced. Remember that changes made through Group Policy can be overridden by future updates, so it’s a good idea to periodically check these settings.

3. Editing the Registry (Advanced Users)

Editing the Windows Registry is a more advanced method that allows you to directly modify telemetry settings. Caution: Incorrectly editing the registry can cause serious problems with your system. Back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection.
3. If the DataCollection key does not exist, create it by right-clicking on Windows, selecting New -> Key, and naming it DataCollection.
4. Right-click in the right pane of the DataCollection key, select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowTelemetry.
5. Double-click on AllowTelemetry and set its value to 0. This disables telemetry.
6. If the DataCollection key already exists, check if the DWORD value AllowTelemetry exists within the key. If not, create it with the steps described above.

Next, you may need to create a similar key to prevent Windows Defender from sending samples.

1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet.
2. If the Spynet key does not exist, create it by right-clicking on Windows Defender, selecting New -> Key, and naming it Spynet.
3. Right-click in the right pane of the Spynet key, select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it SubmitSampleConsent.
4. Double-click on SubmitSampleConsent and set its value to 2. This means “Never send”.

Editing the registry offers fine-grained control over telemetry, but it requires a good understanding of the Windows Registry. Always back up your registry before making changes to ensure you can restore it if something goes wrong. This method is a powerful way to configure your privacy settings and minimize data tracking.

4. Using Third-Party Tools

Several third-party tools are designed to disable or limit Windows telemetry. These tools often provide a user-friendly interface and automate the process of configuring various settings.

Examples of such tools include:

• O&O ShutUp10: This free tool provides a simple interface for managing a wide range of privacy settings in Windows, including telemetry.
• Destroy Windows 10 Spying: This tool allows you to disable various spying features in Windows, including telemetry and data collection.
• WPD (Windows Privacy Disabler): Another free tool that allows you to disable telemetry, Windows Updates and other privacy-related features.

Using a third-party tool can be a convenient way to manage your privacy settings, especially if you’re not comfortable editing the registry or using Group Policy. However, it’s important to choose a reputable tool and be aware of the changes it makes to your system.

5. Disabling Connected User Experiences and Telemetry Services

Even after making the changes above, certain services may still contribute to data tracking. Disabling these services can further enhance your privacy settings.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter to open the Services window.
2. Locate the service named Connected User Experiences and Telemetry (formerly known as Diagnostics Tracking Service).
3. Double-click on the service.
4. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled.
5. Click Stop to stop the service.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Disabling this service can help prevent Windows from collecting and transmitting telemetry data. However, some users have reported that this service may automatically re-enable itself after Windows updates. You may need to periodically check and disable it again.

Verifying That Telemetry is Disabled

After implementing these methods, you may want to verify that telemetry is indeed disabled. Unfortunately, there isn’t a foolproof way to confirm this, as Windows doesn’t provide a direct indicator. However, you can use the following approaches:

• Monitor Network Activity: Use a network monitoring tool to observe the traffic leaving your computer. Look for connections to Microsoft servers associated with telemetry data transmission. If you see minimal or no such traffic after disabling telemetry, it suggests that your efforts have been successful. Wireshark is a popular network analyzer.
• Check Event Viewer: Examine the Event Viewer for telemetry-related events. If you see few or no events related to data collection after disabling telemetry, it indicates that the system is not actively collecting or transmitting data.

Conclusion

Disabling Windows telemetry is a crucial step for users who value their privacy settings. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the amount of data tracking that occurs on your Windows system. While completely eliminating telemetry may not be possible, these steps can greatly enhance your privacy and give you more control over your computer. Remember to periodically review your settings and adapt your approach as needed, as Windows updates may sometimes revert your changes. Maintaining your desired privacy settings requires ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach to protecting your personal information.

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