Windows sends data about your device, apps, settings, and usage back to Microsoft constantly. This happens in the background, without any obvious sign. If you want more control over your privacy, you can disable most of this data collection. This guide shows you exactly how to do that, step by step, on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
What Is Windows Telemetry?
Telemetry is the automatic collection and transmission of data from your PC to Microsoft. It includes things like crash reports, hardware info, app usage, typing patterns, location data, browsing activity in Edge, and more.
Microsoft uses this data to improve Windows, target ads, and analyze user behavior. Some of it is genuinely useful for bug fixes. But a lot of it goes beyond what most users are comfortable sharing.
In 2026, Windows 11 has expanded this collection further, especially tied to features like AI-powered Copilot and Recall. So if privacy matters to you, disabling telemetry is more important than ever.
What Gets Collected by Default?
Before you start disabling things, it helps to know what Windows is actually sending.
| Data Type | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic data | Error reports, crash logs, system health |
| Usage data | Which apps you open, how long you use them |
| Inking and typing | Keystrokes, voice input, handwriting samples |
| Location data | GPS, Wi-Fi based location |
| Browsing history | In Edge and through SmartScreen |
| Cortana and Search | Voice commands, search queries |
| Advertising ID | Unique ID used for targeted ads |
| Feedback frequency | How often Windows prompts you for feedback |
The good news: you can disable or restrict almost all of this.
Method 1: Use Windows Settings (Easiest Way)
This is the best starting point. No third-party tools needed.
Step 1: Open Privacy Settings
Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to Privacy and Security.
Step 2: Turn Off Diagnostic Data
Go to Diagnostics and Feedback. Set Diagnostic data to Required only. This is the minimum level. Windows will still send some data, but far less than the default.
Also disable:
- Improve inking and typing
- Tailored experiences
- View diagnostic data (turn this off after reviewing if you want)
Step 3: Turn Off Activity History
Go to Activity history. Uncheck Store my activity history on this device. Also uncheck Send my activity history to Microsoft.
Step 4: Turn Off Search Permissions
Go to Search permissions. Disable:
- SafeSearch (or set it to Off)
- Cloud content search (Microsoft account and Work/School account)
- Search history on this device
Step 5: Disable Advertising ID
Go to General under Privacy and Security. Turn off Let apps use advertising ID to show personalized ads.
Step 6: Turn Off Location
Go to Location. Toggle off Location services entirely, or review which apps have access and remove ones you do not need.
Step 7: Disable Cortana and Search Suggestions
Go to Search in Settings. Turn off Search suggestions and any cloud-powered search options.
Method 2: Use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro and Enterprise Only)
The Group Policy Editor gives you deeper control. This method works on Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, and Enterprise editions. It does not work on Windows Home.
How to Open Group Policy Editor
Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Disable Telemetry via Group Policy
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
Double-click Allow Diagnostic Data. Set it to Enabled, then in the dropdown choose Diagnostic data off (not recommended). Click OK.
This is the most effective setting to reduce telemetry at the system level.
Block Connected User Experiences and Telemetry Service
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
Enable the policy Disable OneSettings Downloads. Also look for Do not show feedback notifications and enable that too.
Turn Off Customer Experience Improvement Program
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Application Compatibility
Enable Turn off Application Telemetry.
Also go to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > CEIP
Enable Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program.
Method 3: Use the Registry Editor (All Windows Versions)
This method works on Windows Home too. Be careful with the Registry. A wrong edit can cause issues. Always back up your registry before making changes.
Open Registry Editor
Press Windows + R, type regedit, press Enter.
Disable Telemetry in the Registry
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
If the DataCollection key does not exist, right-click Windows, select New > Key, and name it DataCollection.
Inside that key, right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it AllowTelemetry. Double-click it and set the value to 0.
This sets telemetry to off at the registry level.
Disable Advertising ID in the Registry
Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo
Find or create a DWORD named Enabled. Set it to 0.
Method 4: Disable Telemetry Services
Windows runs background services that collect and send data. You can stop and disable these services.
How to Access Services
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Services to Disable
| Service Name | What It Does |
|---|---|
| DiagTrack (Connected User Experiences and Telemetry) | The main telemetry service |
| dmwappushservice (WAP Push Message Routing Service) | Routes telemetry data |
| RetailDemo | Only needed in store demo modes |
| diagnosticshub.standardcollector.service | Collects additional diagnostic data |
For each service you want to disable:
- Double-click the service
- Set Startup type to Disabled
- Click Stop if it is currently running
- Click OK
The most important one is DiagTrack. Disabling it significantly reduces how much data Windows sends.
Method 5: Use a Firewall to Block Telemetry Endpoints
Even after disabling telemetry settings and services, Windows sometimes still tries to contact Microsoft’s servers. You can block these at the firewall level.
This is an advanced step but very effective.
Known Telemetry Domains to Block
Microsoft uses multiple domains for data collection. Some of the most common ones include:
- vortex.data.microsoft.com
- settings-win.data.microsoft.com
- telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
- watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
- oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
You can block these in your router’s DNS settings, or using Windows Defender Firewall with Outbound Rules.
How to Block in Windows Firewall
- Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security (search for it in Start)
- Click Outbound Rules on the left
- Click New Rule on the right
- Choose Custom, click Next
- Select All programs, click Next
- Under Protocol and Ports, leave defaults, click Next
- Under Scope, in the remote IP section, add the IP addresses of the domains you want to block
- Select Block the connection
- Apply to all profiles, name the rule something like “Block Telemetry”
You can also use a hosts file to redirect these domains to 127.0.0.1, but that requires more manual work and regular updates.
For a regularly updated list of Microsoft telemetry endpoints, check out the WindowsSpyBlocker project on GitHub, which maintains a current block list.
Method 6: Use a Privacy Tool (Optional)
If the manual steps feel like too much, several free tools automate most of this.
Recommended Tools in 2026
O&O ShutUp10++ is one of the most trusted free tools for disabling Windows telemetry. It has a simple interface, shows you what each setting does, and lets you apply recommended settings with one click. It works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
W10Privacy is another solid option with a similar approach.
Winaero Tweaker is good for power users who want fine-grained control.
Before using any tool, create a system restore point. Tools like these change registry values and group policies, and while they are generally safe, having a restore point is smart.
You can download O&O ShutUp10++ directly from the O&O Software website.
What About Windows 11 Copilot and Recall?
Windows 11 in 2026 includes Copilot AI features and, on some devices, the Recall feature that takes screenshots of everything you do. These are significant privacy concerns beyond traditional telemetry.
How to Disable Recall
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Recall and Snapshots. Toggle off Save snapshots. You can also click Delete snapshots to remove any already saved.
If you do not see this option, your device may not support Recall yet, which means it is not running.
How to Limit Copilot Data
In Settings, go to Privacy and Security > Diagnostics and Feedback. Under Tailored experiences, turn this off. This reduces how much Copilot personalizes based on your activity.
You can also disable Copilot entirely via Group Policy:
Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot and enable Turn off Windows Copilot.
How to Verify Telemetry Is Actually Disabled
After making changes, you can verify things are working.
Check Services
Open Services (services.msc) and confirm DiagTrack shows Disabled in the Startup Type column.
Use Task Manager
Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, and check if any telemetry-related processes are running. Look for CompatTelRunner.exe (Compatibility Appraiser), which often runs in the background.
You can disable the task that triggers it:
Open Task Scheduler > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience. Disable Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser.
Check Network Traffic
Tools like Glasswire or Wireshark can show you exactly what your PC is sending over the network. After your changes, you should see significantly less traffic going to Microsoft servers.
Important Caveats
Disabling telemetry does not make Windows fully private. Microsoft still has some access through:
- Windows Update (cannot be fully blocked without breaking updates)
- Microsoft account syncing if you are signed in
- OneDrive if enabled
- Microsoft 365 apps if installed
If you need full privacy, consider using a local account instead of a Microsoft account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info and click Sign in with a local account instead.
Also, some Windows features depend on telemetry. Disabling it may affect feedback-based improvements in future updates, but it will not break core functionality.
Quick Reference: What to Do First
If you only have five minutes, start with these three things:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Diagnostics and Feedback and set data to Required only
- Go to Privacy and Security > General and turn off Advertising ID
- Open Services and disable DiagTrack
These three steps alone cut down the majority of what Windows sends to Microsoft.
Summary
| Method | Difficulty | Effectiveness | Works on Home? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | Easy | Moderate | Yes |
| Group Policy | Medium | High | No (Pro/Enterprise only) |
| Registry Editor | Medium | High | Yes |
| Disable Services | Easy | High | Yes |
| Firewall Blocking | Hard | Very High | Yes |
| Privacy Tools | Easy | High | Yes |
Disabling Windows telemetry and data collection in 2026 is very doable. You do not need to be technical to get started. The Settings method alone makes a real difference. If you want deeper control, combine it with disabling the DiagTrack service and using the Registry to set AllowTelemetry to 0. For the most thorough approach, add firewall rules or use a tool like O&O ShutUp10++.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling telemetry break Windows or cause problems?
No, disabling telemetry does not break Windows. Core features like Windows Update, apps, and system performance are not affected. Some Microsoft features that rely on cloud feedback may work slightly differently, but nothing critical will stop working. Always create a restore point before making registry or group policy changes just to be safe.
Does disabling telemetry also stop Windows ads?
Mostly yes. Turning off the Advertising ID stops personalized ads. Turning off tailored experiences removes suggestions in the Start menu and apps. However, Microsoft may still show general promotional content in some places like the Lock screen. You can disable that separately in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen by turning off Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana.
Does Windows 11 have more telemetry than Windows 10?
Yes, Windows 11 collects more data by default, especially with features like Copilot, Recall, and deeper AI integrations introduced in 2024 and 2025. The methods to disable it are similar, but you need to take extra steps to address Recall and Copilot specifically. The Group Policy and Registry methods remain the most effective on both versions.
Can I fully stop all data collection from Microsoft?
Not completely while using Windows. Some communication with Microsoft is required for Windows Update and license validation. However, you can reduce data collection to a very small amount using the methods in this guide, especially combining service disabling with firewall blocking. If you need near-zero data sharing, using a local account and blocking known telemetry endpoints via firewall gets you very close.
Is it legal to disable Windows telemetry?
Yes, it is completely legal. Microsoft includes these privacy settings precisely because users have the right to control their data, especially under regulations like GDPR in Europe. Changing your own Windows settings, registry values, or firewall rules on your own device is entirely within your rights. Microsoft’s own documentation acknowledges users can set telemetry to required-only levels.
