How to Disable Windows Telemetry and Data Collection

Windows collects diagnostic data about how you use your PC and sends it to Microsoft. You can reduce this significantly — but not eliminate it entirely on Home editions.

What Windows Collects

By default, Windows sends:

App crash reports and usage statistics
Hardware and driver information
Typing and search data (if enabled)
Location data (if enabled)
Browser activity via Microsoft Edge

The amount depends on the diagnostic level: Required (minimum) or Optional (full telemetry).

Method 1: Settings (Quickest)

Win + I → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & feedback

Set Diagnostic data to Required diagnostic data only
Turn off Improve inking and typing
Turn off Tailored experiences
Click Delete diagnostic data to clear what's already been sent

Also check:

Privacy & Security → Activity history → uncheck Store my activity history
Privacy & Security → Search permissions → disable Search history on this device

Method 2: Group Policy (Pro and Enterprise only)

Win + R → gpedit.msc

Navigate to:

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates →
Windows Components → Data Collection and Preview Builds

Double-click Allow Diagnostic Data → set to Enabled → select Diagnostic data off (not recommended) or Send required diagnostic data.

Also disable:

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates →
Windows Components → Windows Error Reporting → Disable Windows Error Reporting

Method 3: Registry (All Editions)

Open regedit as Administrator:

# Set telemetry to minimum (0 = off, requires Enterprise; 1 = required only)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" `
  -Name "AllowTelemetry" -Value 1 -Type DWord

# Disable Customer Experience Improvement Program
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows" `
  -Name "CEIPEnable" -Value 0 -Type DWord

# Disable Application telemetry
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat" `
  -Name "AITEnable" -Value 0 -Type DWord

Disable Telemetry Services

# DiagTrack — Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Stop-Service DiagTrack
Set-Service DiagTrack -StartupType Disabled

# dmwappushservice — WAP Push Message Routing
Stop-Service dmwappushservice
Set-Service dmwappushservice -StartupType Disabled

Disable Advertising ID

Windows assigns each user an advertising ID used to target ads across apps.

Settings → Privacy & Security → General → turn off Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID

Via registry:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo" `
  -Name "Enabled" -Value 0 -Type DWord

Block Telemetry Endpoints (Advanced)

Add Microsoft's telemetry domains to your hosts file to block outgoing connections:

Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts as Administrator and add:

0.0.0.0 vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 settings-win.data.microsoft.com

Note: This can interfere with Windows Update and activation. Use with caution.

What You Can't Disable on Home Edition

On Windows 10/11 Home, telemetry level 0 (completely off) is not available — the minimum is "Required." For full control you need Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

You also can't fully disable:

Windows Update checking (only delay it)
Microsoft account sync if you use one
SmartScreen URL checks

Summary

For most users: set diagnostic data to Required only in Settings, disable Activity History, and turn off the Advertising ID. That covers 90% of the privacy concerns without registry edits or service disabling.

For maximum privacy: apply Group Policy settings (Pro+), disable DiagTrack service, and block telemetry endpoints in hosts file.