- Telemetry in Windows 11 collects data about usage, errors, and configuration.
- Reducing or eliminating telemetry improves privacy and can optimize performance.
- There are multiple methods to disable telemetry, from simple options to advanced settings.
Telemetry in Windows 11 is one of those topics that, although it may seem technical or secondary, is generating more and more interest among users. concerned about privacy and the performance of their computers. Microsoft has been progressively integrating mechanisms to collect data aimed at improving the user experience and optimizing the system, but for many, this means giving up part of their computing activity without full control over what is actually sent.
In this article we are going to go in depth into everything What you need to know about telemetry in Windows 11: what it is exactly, what benefits and risks it entails, why you might want to disable it And, above all, how to do it with different step-by-step methods. If you're looking for a complete and natural guide, simple yet comprehensive, read on and discover how to take control of your privacy on Microsoft's operating system.
What is telemetry in Windows 11 and what is it used for?
Telemetry in Windows 11 is the set of processes and services that collect information about usage, performance, configuration, and potential errors occurring in the operating system and installed applications. This information is intended to be periodically sent anonymously to Microsoft servers, where it is analyzed to detect common problems, apply stability and security improvements, and personalize some aspects of the user experience.
Telemetry works in the background and is capable of collecting data as varied as hardware and software you use, system errors, unexpected application crashes, and even usage patterns or configuration details. While Microsoft maintains that data is collected to improve Windows and protect users, the fact that much of this process is automated and often opaque means many users prefer to limit or disable this collection whenever possible.
Benefits and risks of telemetry in Windows 11
Like almost everything in the world of technology, telemetry has its positive and negative sides. Let's look at both sides of the equation so you can decide what level of data collection is right for you:
- Benefits: The mainAccording to Microsoft, this allows for faster problem detection and resolution, as by identifying the errors experienced by real users, they can launch customized solutions or patches. It also helps improve overall system stability, optimize updates, and strengthen security against emerging threats. Some personalization elements and recommendations in the system also rely on telemetry.
- Disadvantages: Although Microsoft claims that the information is anonymous, the amount of data collected may be excessive for those who value their privacy. Furthermore, all these services and data processing run in the background, consuming resources such as CPU and memory, which can affect overall performance, especially on older computers or those with limited hardware. Finally, on connections with limited bandwidth, sending data to Microsoft servers can consume part of your monthly data plan.
Why disable telemetry in Windows 11?
There are several common reasons why users want to disable telemetry in Windows 11. The first, and most common, is concern about privacy. Microsoft's data collection policies have been the subject of debate, and although the company claims to comply with legal requirements and protect personal data, it continues to generate some suspicion among those who do not want to share more information than necessary.
Another important reason is the system performance. Telemetry processes run in the background and can use system resources such as memory and processor. This is especially noticeable on modest computers, where even small savings in resource usage can improve the computer's overall responsiveness. Furthermore, in environments with limited internet connections, reducing or eliminating telemetry also helps save data usage.
Finally, some users simply want more control over what their computer does and prefer to disable any non-essential features.
Methods to disable telemetry in Windows 11
Disabling telemetry in Windows 11 can be achieved in several ways, from simpler tweaks within Settings to more advanced methods using services, the Windows Registry, the Local Policy Editor, or the Task Scheduler. Below, we'll detail each method so you can choose the one that best suits you. Remember that, in some cases, it's advisable to first create a restore point to avoid problems if a setting doesn't work as expected.
Preparing: Create a restore point
Before making any major changes to system settings, such as modifying services or registry keys, it is highly recommended that you create a restore point. This way, if something goes wrong or your system starts behaving unexpectedly, you can easily go back and restore your computer to its previous state.
To create a restore point: Open the Start menu and search for 'Create a restore point', select your primary drive (usually C:), click 'Create' and give it a name.
Disable telemetry from Windows 11 Settings
The first method, and the easiest for most users, is to do it from the privacy options in Windows 11 Settings.
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Privacy and Security > Diagnostics and Feedback.
- Disable the "Send optional diagnostic data" option so that only the minimum required data is sent. This limits the amount of information Microsoft can collect.
- Scroll down and turn off "Personalized experiences." This will prevent your diagnostic data from being used to personalize ads and recommendations.
- In the section Delete diagnostic data, click on “Delete” to erase previously collected data.
Additionally, within the same Privacy and Security section, you can review and deactivate the following:
- online speech recognition: Turn this option off so that they are not saved commands voice messages sent to Microsoft servers.
- Handwriting and typing customization: Leave this feature disabled to prevent data from being stored about your typing habits.
- Activity history: Uncheck the box "Store my activity history on this device" and click on "Delete history" if you want to delete previous records.
- Advertising trackers: Go to Privacy & Security > General, and turn off all options except "Show me notifications in the Settings app."
- Find My Device feature: Go to Privacy & security > Find my device and turn it off if you don't want Windows to track your device's location.
Disable telemetry from Windows services
A more advanced method is to directly disable the services that Windows 11 uses to manage telemetry. You can find more details at How to disable unnecessary services and improve performance in Windows 11.
- Open the Start menu, type Services and hit Enter.
- Locate the called service User experience and associated telemetry.
- Double click on it, press "Stop" and in the start type Choose "Disabled". Apply the changes.
- Also search for the service Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Push Message Routing Service and repeat the process: disable it and stop the service.
This will prevent these services from collecting and transmitting information about your habits and diagnostics to Microsoft servers.
Disable telemetry using the Windows Registry Editor
This method is more delicate and requires some knowledge, but it allows you to force the telemetry limitation from the very heart of the system. Before touching the registry, make sure you have the restore point active.
- Open the start menu and search Regedit to open the registry editor.
- Navigate to the route HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > DataCollection.
- Right click on the right side, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and call him Allow telemetry.
- Double-click Allow Telemetry and set the value to 0.
Disable telemetry policy in Windows 11 (Pro and Enterprise only)
In Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 11, it is possible to use the Local Group Policy Editor to better control telemetry parameters.
- Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.
- Inside the editor, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
- Double-click on the policy «Configure User Experience and Associated Telemetry».
- Check the option "Disabled" to avoid expanded data collection.
- Apply the changes and close the editor.
Disable telemetry tasks in Windows 11 Task Scheduler
The Windows Task Scheduler runs several automatic tasks in the background, many of them related to telemetry and statistics collection. By disabling them, you further reduce the amount of information that can be collected and sent to Microsoft.
- Open the start menu and search Task Scheduler.
- Enter the route Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience.
- Right click on the tasks above and select "To disable".
- Repeat the process in “Customer Experience Improvement Program” and disable all the tasks you find.
This measure is especially helpful for those who want to minimize background activity and prioritize performance.
Extra tips to minimize telemetry and tracking
While the above steps are the most effective, there are a number of additional recommendations that can help you further protect your privacy in Windows 11:
- Regularly monitor app permissions, ensuring that no app accesses more information than it needs.
- If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, consider switching to a local account to reduce integration and dependence on Microsoft cloud services.
- Uninstall or disable Cortana, OneDrive, and other Microsoft apps that automatically sync data if you don't need them.
- Check for system updates frequently, as some settings may be reverted after major updates.
- Consider using specific third-party tools to block unwanted services or add extra layers of protection, always taking care to choose trusted applications to avoid stability or security issues.
Controlling telemetry in Windows 11 can seem challenging, but following these steps will help you minimize data collection and improve both your computer's privacy and performance. Being able to adjust these settings gives you greater control over the information that leaves your computer and allows you to customize your experience, tailoring it to your security and efficiency preferences. Be sure to periodically review these settings, especially after major system updates, to ensure they are still current and adjust any new features Microsoft introduces in future versions of the operating system.
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