Windows collects diagnostic data to help Microsoft maintain the operating system. On Home and Pro editions, you can reduce it to the required minimum, but you cannot fully turn telemetry off from normal settings.
This applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Full telemetry-off controls are limited to Enterprise and Education editions.
Does This Affect You?
If you want the least Microsoft data collection a regular home PC allows, set diagnostic data to required only and turn off related activity, advertising, typing, and suggestion settings.
Reduce Diagnostic Data
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Set Diagnostic data to Required diagnostic data if the choice is available.
- Turn off Improve inking and typing.
- Turn off Tailored experiences.
Turn Off Related Tracking Settings
- Open Privacy & security > General and disable personalized ads using the advertising ID.
- Turn off Windows tracking of app launches for Start and search improvements.
- Open Activity history, stop storing activity history, and clear existing history.
- Open App diagnostics and block apps from accessing diagnostic info about other apps unless needed.
- Open Speech and turn off online speech recognition if you do not use dictation or voice features.
Use Group Policy on Supported Editions
- Press Windows key + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. - Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
- Open Allow Diagnostic Data.
- Enable the policy and choose the lowest level available. Pro can send required data; Enterprise/Education may expose diagnostic data off.
- Restart the PC.
Important Privacy Notes
What Required Data Still Sends
Required diagnostic data can include device, Windows version, activation, compatibility, and crash information. Microsoft says it is not meant to include personal file contents or browsing history at this level.
Blocking Servers Can Break Things
Some third-party tools try to block telemetry by firewall or hosts rules. They can also interfere with Windows Update, Defender updates, Store, or Microsoft sign-in services.
Diagnostic Data Viewer
Microsoft’s Diagnostic Data Viewer app lets you inspect diagnostic events queued from the PC if you want to see what is being collected.
Microsoft Account Data Is Separate
OneDrive, Microsoft 365, Outlook, and account activity have separate privacy controls at your Microsoft account privacy dashboard.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: Diagnostic data in Windows
- Microsoft Support: Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy settings in Windows
- Microsoft Learn: Configure Windows diagnostic data in your organization