Windows 11 and 10 collect diagnostic data to improve system performance and user experience. However, this data collection, known as telemetry, raises privacy concerns for many users and organizations. This article explains what Windows telemetry is and provides step-by-step instructions to manage or disable it on your system.
What is Windows Telemetry?
Telemetry in Windows refers to the automated collection and transmission of system data to Microsoft. This data helps Microsoft improve Windows security, fix bugs, and enhance features. However, it may include information about your device usage, installed apps, and system settings.
Telemetry Levels in Windows 11/10
Windows 11/10 offers four levels of telemetry:
- Security (Enterprise, Education, and IoT editions only)
- Basic
- Enhanced
- Full
Each level collects progressively more data, with Security being the most restrictive and Full gathering the most information.
How to Change Windows Telemetry Level
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
Step 3: Double-click on “Allow Telemetry” (or “Allow diagnostic data” on Windows 11).
Step 4: Select “Enabled” and choose your desired telemetry level from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Note: The Security level is only available on Enterprise, Education, and IoT editions of Windows.
How to Disable Telemetry in Windows 11/10
For users who want to completely turn off telemetry, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection.
Step 3: Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it “AllowTelemetry”.
Step 4: Double-click the new value and set it to 0.
Step 5: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Disabling the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry Service
To further restrict data collection, you can disable the telemetry service:
Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Step 2: Locate “Connected User Experiences and Telemetry” in the list of services.
Step 3: Double-click the service, set the Startup type to “Disabled”, and click “Stop” under Service status.
Step 4: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Using PowerShell to Disable Telemetry
For advanced users, PowerShell offers a quick way to disable telemetry:
Step 1: Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Step 2: Run the following commands:
Stop-Service -Name DiagTrack
Set-Service -Name DiagTrack -StartupType Disabled
These commands stop the telemetry service and prevent it from starting automatically.
Managing Telemetry for Individual Windows Components
Windows 11/10 allows you to configure telemetry settings for specific components like Cortana, Windows Defender, and Microsoft Edge. These settings can be adjusted through the Settings app, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor, depending on your Windows edition.
For example, to disable telemetry for Windows Defender:
Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
Step 2: Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus > MAPS.
Step 3: Double-click “Configure the ‘Send file samples when further analysis is required’ option”.
Step 4: Select “Enabled” and choose “Never send” from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of data Windows sends to Microsoft. Remember that while limiting telemetry may increase privacy, it may also affect certain Windows features and Microsoft’s ability to provide personalized experiences or troubleshoot issues on your system.