Windows 11 has been widely known to suck at privacy, since it comes with a lot of default settings that can be a privacy nightmare. But don’t worry—there are ways to regain significant control in that area. You just have to take charge.
7Location Tracking
Windows 11 tracks your location by default, allowing Microsoft and third-party apps to know where you are. If you’re uncomfortable with this, or rarely use location-based apps like Weather or Uber, disabling location services prevents data collection. Also, doing this can save battery on laptops and tablets.
To do that, go toSettings > Privacy & Security, scroll down to theApp Permissionssection, and selectLocation. From there, toggle offLocation services.
In the pop-up, clickTurn offto completely disable location services.
6App Permissions
Windows 11 grants many permissions to apps by default, which can compromise your privacy. It’s also easy to grant permissions you didn’t intend to. For both reasons, it’s best to review and adjust app permissions to ensure certain apps don’t have too much access.
To do so, go toSettings > Privacy & Security, then scroll down to theApp Permissionssection. Here, you will find permissions likeCamera,Microphone, andContacts. Select an app, expand theLet apps access your [permission]section, and toggle off access for apps that don’t need it.
Audit these settings regularly, especially after installing new apps, to ensure permissions haven’t changed.
5Cloud Clipboard
The clipboard is a handy feature that temporarily stores items you’ve copied (such as text and images), allowing you to quickly paste them between apps. The clipboard history, which you bring up by pressingWin + V, is especially helpful for retrieving multiple copied items. This gets even better withthe best Windows clipboard tips.
But do you want the clipboard to sync data to Microsoft’s servers or between devices, leading to data collection and potential accidental sharing of sensitive data? If you don’t, you can easily disable clipboard history by going toSettings > System > Clipboardand toggling offClipboard history across devices.
4Cloud Sync
Windows' cloud sync ability can also be a privacy problem, since it stores settings, files, app data, and preferences in your OneDrive account. Besides the obvious data collection potential for Microsoft, it can also lead to persistent tracking. To stop this from happening, you’re able to unlink your OneDrive account from Windows.
To do that, click theOneDrive iconin the bottom-right notification area. Next, click thecog iconin the top-right corner and selectSettingsin the menu.
Select theAccounttab on the left and click theUnlink this PClink.
In the popup, clickUnlink account, and that’s it—no more cloud sync.
3Microsoft Account Settings
When installing Windows 11, you’re required to sign in with a Microsoft account to complete the installation. While there are somebenefits to linking your Microsoft account with Windows, doing so also allows Microsoft to track usage patterns, collect data, and create a digital profile tied directly to your identity.
Sometricks letyou bypass the Microsoft account requirement, but if you signed in anyway, the good news is that you can still sign out afterward. You’ll use what’s called a local account afterward, which offers a more private experience.
To switch to a local account, go toSettings > Accounts > Your infoand click theSign in with a local account insteadlink.
From there, follow the instructions to sign out of your Microsoft account. Just keep in mind thatusing a local account on Windows has some drawbacks.
2Telemetry and Background Data Collection
By default, Microsoft collects data about your device and usage habits in the name of improving the OS. This is called telemetry, which can include information about your hardware, app usage, feature usage, and performance data. While you can’t disable this data collection completely, you can limit it.
To do that, go toSettings > Privacy & security > Diagnostic & feedbackand expand theDiagnostic datasection. Find theSend optional diagnostic datatoggle and turn it off.
Afterward, it’s time to clean any diagnostic data that Microsoft may have already collected for your Windows PC. Scroll down, expand theDelete diagnostic datasection, and clickDelete.
1Personalized Ads and Advertising ID
Personalized ads rely on extensive tracking of your online behavior, browsing history, and personal information without your explicit consent. This is a privacy nightmare that you can thankfully turn off by disabling your advertising ID in Settings. However, keep in mind that apps will continue to show you non-personalized ads after disabling this (based on general factors like your location and what you’re doing in the app).
Go toSettings > Privacy & security > Generaland toggle offLet apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID. Here, you will also find some additional tracking options that you might want to toggle off, such asLet websites show me locally relevant content by accessing my language listandLet Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches.
Disable Personalized Ads in Microsoft Edge
If you use Edge, an additional step can ensure it doesn’t serve you personalized ads while browsing. Open Edge, click thethree-dot iconin the top-right corner, and head toSettings > Privacy, search, and services > Privacy. Next, toggle off theAllow Microsoft to save your browsing activity…
As you may see, Windows doesn’t offer the most private experience from the start. It’s up to you to make some much-needed changes to ensure that Microsoft gets the least amount of data from you. And since making these changes won’t take you more than an hour, they’re worth making if you highly value your privacy.
