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Windows 11 Privacy Settings

Table of Contents

Understanding Privacy Settings in Windows 11

Windows 11, with its modern interface and extended capabilities, has brought several new features designed to enhance user experience. However, with ever-evolving technology, privacy concerns are paramount for users worldwide. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to managing privacy settings in Windows 11. From disabling ad and location tracking to tweaking more advanced settings, this guide is designed to help you take control of your digital footprint. Plus, we will explore tips for those who wish to maximize their privacy to the fullest extent. Let’s delve into each setting to help you achieve the level of privacy you desire.

Turn off ad tracking

One of the primary privacy concerns for Windows 11 users is tracking ads based on their activity. Microsoft’s personalized ads may enhance user experience, but they can also feel intrusive. To turn off ad tracking, navigate to the Settings app and go to ‘Privacy & security’.

Within the ‘General’ section, you’ll find an option labeled ‘Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app activity’. Turning this option off will prevent apps from using your unique advertising ID, thereby reducing personalized ad experiences across apps and browsers.

Turn off location tracking

Location tracking can be beneficial for apps like Maps and Weather, but not everyone wants their whereabouts tracked at all times. To disable location tracking, head to ‘Settings’, select ‘Privacy & security’, and then click on ‘Location’.

Here, you can turn off location tracking for the entire system or choose which apps can access your location. By managing these settings, you can ensure only trusted applications have permission to access your location data, giving you more control over your personal information.

Disable your activity history

Windows 11 logs activity history like apps, services, and features you’ve used to offer personalized experiences and suggestions. If you’d prefer not to have this history tracked, you can disable it. Go to ‘Settings’, click on ‘Privacy & security’, and choose ‘Activity history’.

Uncheck the box that says ‘Store my activity history on this device’. Additionally, if you’re signed into multiple devices with a Microsoft account, you may want to turn off sending activity history to Microsoft on this page as well. This ensures your activity is not synchronized or used for personalization.

Ditch a Microsoft account for a local account

While using a Microsoft account offers seamless integration across services and devices, some prefer the privacy of using a local account. Switching to a local account means your data will not be automatically synced to Microsoft’s servers.

To switch, navigate to ‘Settings’, click on ‘Accounts’, and select ‘Your info’. You’ll find an option to switch to a local account, which requires creating a new username and password. This step can significantly enhance your privacy, removing ties to your Microsoft account for certain functionalities.

Change your app permissions

It’s vital to review and limit which apps have access to your data. Windows 11 allows you to easily manage app permissions. Go to ‘Settings’, choose ‘Privacy & security’, and then ‘App permissions’.

Here, you can see categories like camera, microphone, and notifications. By selecting a category, you can toggle access for each app listed, ensuring only essential applications have access to specific features or data.

Control and delete diagnostic data

Microsoft uses diagnostic data to improve its products and services. However, you can control how much information is sent back to Microsoft. In ‘Settings’, go to ‘Privacy & security’, then ‘Diagnostics & feedback’.

Choose ‘Required diagnostic data’, which limits data transmission to essential information. Additionally, you can delete all diagnostic data stored by Microsoft by scrolling down to the ‘Delete diagnostic data’ section, ensuring past data is erased.

Use Microsoft’s Privacy Dashboard

The Microsoft Privacy Dashboard is an online tool designed to give users an overview of their data and privacy settings. It allows you to view and clear data such as browsing history and location activity.

Access the dashboard by logging into your Microsoft account at the privacy page. With a few clicks, you can manage your data preferences, further enhancing your control over your personal information.

Turn off Shared Experiences

Windows 11’s Shared Experiences feature allows you to connect apps and settings across devices, which can be convenient but also a privacy concern. To disable it, go to ‘Settings’, then ‘System’, and click on ‘Shared Experiences’.

Here, simply toggle off ‘Nearby sharing’ and ‘Share across devices’ to ensure your data isn’t automatically shared between devices without your explicit consent.

Curb Cortana

Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, might collect data to refine its suggestions and capabilities. If privacy is a concern, you can minimize or disable Cortana. Open Cortana and go to ‘Settings’.

You can toggle off options related to speech history and personalized suggestions. For those who prefer not to use Cortana altogether, remove it from startup programs to prevent it from activating when you boot your computer.

Get granular in the Settings app

Beyond specific features, Windows 11’s Settings app holds numerous options to tweak your privacy further. Navigate through ‘Settings > Privacy & security’ to explore different sections like ‘General’, ‘Speech’, ‘Inking & typing’, and more.

Controlling these settings lets you adjust how much data Windows collects, from simple diagnostics to customized speech recognition. This step is crucial for users who wish to tailor every aspect of their privacy to their liking.

Tips for the truly paranoid

Stop using OneDrive

OneDrive can be convenient, but it stores your files in the cloud. To enhance privacy, consider disabling OneDrive syncing and backing up files locally instead.

Don’t sync Windows settings across devices

It might be helpful for settings to be consistent across devices, but it’s another way for data to be unknowingly shared. Disable this feature under ‘Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings’.

Turn off app diagnostics

To prevent diagnostic data from being collected by apps, navigate to ‘Settings’, then ‘Diagnostics & feedback’, and switch off ‘Improved inking & typing recognition’.

Don’t share Windows updates

To stop Windows from sharing updates with other devices on your local network, go to ‘Settings’, select ‘Windows Update’, then ‘Advanced options’, and turn off ‘Delivery Optimization’.

Future prospects

Feature	Description
Turn off ad tracking	Disables personalized ads based on your activity.
Turn off location tracking	Prevents apps from accessing your location data.
Disable activity history	Stops logging of your app and service usage.
Ditch Microsoft account	Switches from a Microsoft account to a local, less trackable account.
Change app permissions	Manage which apps can access specific data and features.
Control diagnostic data	Limits and deletes data Microsoft collects for improvement purposes.
Use Privacy Dashboard	Provides an overview and management of your data online.
Turn off Shared Experiences	Disables data sharing across devices.
Curb Cortana	Restricts data collection through the virtual assistant.
Use Settings app	Explore detailed privacy settings to customize your control.
Paranoid tips	Advanced steps to ensure maximum privacy protection.

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Mastering Privacy: Navigating Windows 11 Settings