Windows 11 Privacy Settings You NEED to Turn Off

Windows 11 comes with a lot of built‑in telemetry and data‑sharing features that can feel a little intrusive if you want to keep your personal information close to home. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that walks you through the most common settings that you can disable or tweak so that the OS stays useful but respects your privacy.

1. Telemetry and Diagnostic Data

By default Windows 11 sends a stream of diagnostic data to Microsoft. If you don’t want this happening automatically you can:

  • Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback.
  • Switch Diagnostic data to Basic or turn the switch Off entirely.
  • Disable the Tailored experiences toggle so that Microsoft does not use your data to personalize ads and suggestions.

2. Location Services

Many apps request your location even if you only use your computer for office work. Turn it off if you don’t need it:

  • Open Settings → Privacy & security → Location.
  • Toggle Location service to Off.
  • For each app listed, switch the individual toggle to Off as well.

3. Advertising ID

Windows assigns a unique advertising ID to each user. It can be used by apps to track you across services. Disable it by:

  • Navigate to Settings → Privacy & security → General.
  • Toggle the Advertising ID switch off.

4. Background Apps

Apps that run in the background can collect telemetry and use resources. Disable them:

  • Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  • Find each app you don’t want in the background.
  • Click the three dots next to it and choose Manage app permissions.
  • Toggle Background apps to Off.

5. Speech, Inking & Typing

Windows uses your voice, handwriting, and typing data for feature improvements. Turn them off:

  • Open Settings → Privacy & security → Speech.
  • Disable the Online speech recognition toggle.
  • In the Typing section, turn Learning from your typing off.
  • In the Inking & typing subsection, toggle Use ink and typing off.

6. Diagnostics Data from Microsoft Store Apps

Apps from the Microsoft Store may send usage data. Control it:

  • Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback.
  • Under Diagnostic data, choose Basic.
  • For the Diagnostic data section, toggle Send usage data off.

7. OneDrive File Sync Settings

If you are not using OneDrive or simply want to stop data syncing, adjust the settings:

  • Open the OneDrive app, right‑click the cloud icon in the taskbar.
  • Select Settings → Account.
  • Click Unlink this PC if you want to remove the connection.
  • If you wish to keep the account but stop syncing, uncheck Automatically save photos and videos.

8. Cortana & Search Permissions

Cortana’s voice assistant and the Windows search bar can send queries to Microsoft. Disable or limit them:

  • Open Settings → Privacy & security → Speech, inking & typing.
  • Toggle Cortana off.
  • For Windows Search, go to Settings → Privacy & security → Search permissions and set it to No.

9. Windows Update Delivery Optimization

By default, Windows 11 shares updates with other PCs on the same network. If you don’t want this:

  • Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options.
  • Under Delivery Optimization, toggle the switch to Off.

10. Wi‑Fi Sense

Wi‑Fi Sense used to auto‑join known networks and share Wi‑Fi credentials. It’s turned off by default, but double‑check:

  • Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi.
  • Make sure Connect to Wi‑Fi hotspots and Share Wi‑Fi networks are turned Off.

Why These Changes Matter

Turning off the settings above reduces the amount of data Microsoft receives about your device and usage patterns. It also frees up system resources, leads to a slightly faster experience, and gives you more control over what stays on your machine versus what goes into the cloud. Keep in mind that disabling certain telemetry can affect software updates or support, but most everyday users will find the trade‑off worthwhile for a more private computing experience.

Quick Checklist

  • Telemetry → Basic/Off
  • Location → Off
  • Advertising ID → Off
  • Background Apps → Off
  • Speech & Typing → Off
  • OneDrive → Unlink or disable sync
  • Cortana → Off
  • Windows Update → Delivery Optimization Off
  • Wi‑Fi Sense → Off

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a cleaner, more privacy‑friendly Windows 11 installation. Remember, a little privacy hygiene goes a long way in keeping your data safe and your system running smoothly.