How to Stop Windows Telemetry and Data Collection

What Is Windows Telemetry?

Windows telemetry is the diagnostic and usage data that Windows continuously sends to Microsoft. This includes information about your hardware, system performance, app usage, crash reports, and even some of your activities. Microsoft claims this data helps improve Windows, fix bugs, and enhance security—but many users are uncomfortable with the amount of data being collected.

The challenge is that Windows doesn't make it easy to completely disable telemetry, especially in Windows 11 Home edition. However, you can significantly reduce data collection with the right settings and tools. This guide shows you how to minimize telemetry across all Windows editions.

Important note: Some basic diagnostic data is required for Windows to function properly, including Windows Update and security features. Complete elimination isn't possible (or recommended), but you can dramatically reduce what's sent.

Quick Fix: Basic Telemetry Reduction

For immediate privacy improvement without advanced tools:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback
3. Under "Diagnostic data," select "Required diagnostic data" (the minimum setting)
4. Toggle OFF "Send optional diagnostic data"
5. Toggle OFF "Improve inking and typing"
6. Toggle OFF "Tailored experiences"
7. Click "Delete" under "Delete diagnostic data"

This reduces telemetry to the minimum required level and clears previously collected data. For Windows 11 Home users, this is the furthest you can go without third-party tools.

Understanding Telemetry Levels

Windows has different telemetry levels (available in Pro/Enterprise editions via Group Policy):

• Security (Enterprise only): Minimal data for security features only
• Required (Basic): Essential data for Windows to operate safely and stay updated
• Enhanced: Additional data about Windows usage, performance, and reliability
• Full (Optional): Everything including app usage, browsing data, and detailed diagnostics

Windows 11 Home is locked to "Required" as the minimum. Pro and Enterprise can reduce to "Security" level.

Disable Telemetry on Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise

If you have Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use Group Policy for deeper control:

Method 1: Group Policy Editor

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
3. Double-click "Allow Diagnostic Data" (or "Allow Telemetry" in Windows 10)
4. Select "Enabled"
5. In the dropdown, choose:
   • "Diagnostic data off (not recommended)" for complete disable (may break some features)
   • "Send required diagnostic data" for minimum collection
6. Click "Apply" then "OK"
7. Restart your computer

Warning: Setting telemetry to "off" can cause issues with Windows Update, Microsoft Store, and troubleshooting tools. "Required" is usually the best balance.

Additional Group Policy Settings

While in Group Policy Editor, configure these related settings:

1. In the same location (Data Collection and Preview Builds), find and Disable these policies:
   • "Allow device name to be sent in Windows diagnostic data"
   • "Limit dump collection"
   • "Limit diagnostic log collection"
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting
3. Enable "Disable Windows Error Reporting"

Disable Telemetry on Windows 11 Home (Registry Method)

Windows 11 Home doesn't include Group Policy Editor, but you can modify the registry:

Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Back up your registry first (File > Export in Registry Editor).

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
3. If the "DataCollection" key doesn't exist, right-click "Windows" and select New > Key, name it "DataCollection"
4. Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
5. Name it AllowTelemetry
6. Double-click it and set the value:
   • 0 = Security (Enterprise only, may cause issues on Home)
   • 1 = Required diagnostic data (recommended for Home)
7. Click OK and close Registry Editor
8. Restart your computer

Disable Specific Telemetry Services

Several Windows services handle telemetry. Disabling these reduces data collection:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
2. Find and disable these services (right-click > Properties, set Startup type to "Disabled," click Stop if running):
   • "Connected User Experiences and Telemetry" (DiagTrack)
   • "Windows Error Reporting Service"
   • "dmwappushservice" (if present)
3. Click Apply then OK for each
4. Restart your computer

Note: Disabling these services may prevent some troubleshooting and error reporting features from working.

Block Telemetry via Hosts File

You can block Windows from connecting to Microsoft's telemetry servers:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator (right-click Notepad > Run as administrator)
2. Click File > Open and navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
3. Change file type to "All Files" and open the "hosts" file
4. Add these lines at the bottom (blocks common telemetry domains):

127.0.0.1 vortex.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
127.0.0.1 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 survey.watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.live.com
127.0.0.1 watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 compatexchange.cloudapp.net
127.0.0.1 cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
127.0.0.1 a-0001.a-msedge.net
127.0.0.1 statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
127.0.0.1 sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
127.0.0.1 fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
127.0.0.1 diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 corp.sts.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 pre.footprintpredict.com
127.0.0.1 i1.services.social.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 feedback.windows.com
127.0.0.1 feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
127.0.0.1 feedback.search.microsoft.com

5. Save and close the file
6. Restart your computer

Caution: Blocking these domains may interfere with some Windows features. Test your system after making changes.

Use Third-Party Privacy Tools

Several reputable tools automate telemetry reduction:

O&O ShutUp10++ (Recommended)

• Free tool from O&O Software
• User-friendly interface with recommended settings
• Works on Windows 10 and 11
• Download from oo-software.com
• Run the tool, apply recommended settings with one click

Windows Privacy Dashboard (WPD)

• Open-source privacy tool
• Lets you configure telemetry settings in a centralized interface
• Download from wpd.app

Important: Only use well-known, reputable tools. Some "privacy" tools are actually malware or contain unwanted software.

Additional Privacy Settings

Beyond telemetry, configure these related privacy options:

• Disable activity history: Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history
• Turn off advertising ID: Settings > Privacy & security > General
• Disable Cortana: Via Group Policy or third-party tools
• Stop web results in Start menu: Via registry or Group Policy
• Disable Windows Feedback: Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback > Feedback frequency: Never
• Review app permissions: Settings > Privacy & security and go through each permission category

What You Might Break

Disabling telemetry can affect these features:

• Windows Update: May have issues downloading or installing updates (usually still works with "Required" setting)
• Microsoft Store: Some apps might not download properly
• Troubleshooters: Built-in troubleshooting tools may not work
• Error reporting: Crash reports won't be sent to Microsoft
• Some personalization features: Suggestions and recommendations will stop

Most users find these trade-offs acceptable for increased privacy. If you encounter issues, you can always re-enable telemetry.

Verify Telemetry Is Reduced

After making changes, verify they're working:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
2. Look for "Connected User Experiences and Telemetry" process—it should be disabled
3. Use a network monitoring tool like GlassWire or Wireshark to verify reduced connections to Microsoft servers
4. Check Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback to confirm your chosen telemetry level