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Privacy without breaking Windows. The toggles below are the ones we actually use on our own PCs. They curb data collection, tame ads and suggestions, and quiet background chatter—while keeping Store apps, updates, and cloud features working.
10-minute quick lock-down
- Settings → Privacy & security → General: switch off personalized ads, tracking of app launches, suggested content, and “improve inking & typing.”
- Diagnostics & feedback: choose the lowest diagnostic data level available and turn off “Tailored experiences.” Set feedback frequency to Never.
- Activity history: uncheck “Store my activity history on this device” and clear history.
- App permissions: Location, Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Calendar, Phone calls, Call history, Email, Tasks, Messaging, Radios → turn off globally if you rarely use them, then enable per-app as needed.
- Notifications access & Background apps: disable notification access for apps you don’t trust; under Apps → Installed apps, set unnecessary apps to Never run in background.
- Advertising ID: in Privacy & security → General, turn off Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
- Smart suggestions: Personalization → Start/Taskbar: switch off “Show recommendations,” “tips,” and “website recommendations.”
- Edge (if you use it): Settings → Privacy: set tracking prevention to Strict, disable optional data, and turn off shopping/feature alerts you don’t want.
Microsoft account vs. local account
Windows works best with a Microsoft account if you use OneDrive, Microsoft Store, or cross-device sync. But you can still reduce the footprint:
- Use a strong, unique password (stored in a password manager) and enable two-factor authentication.
- Disable sync categories you don’t need (Settings → Accounts → Windows backup).
- If you prefer, switch to a local account under Settings → Accounts → Your info. You’ll lose easy OneDrive/Desktop sync and Store purchases.
Diagnostics & feedback: what actually helps
Windows sends diagnostic data to improve reliability. You can’t always turn it off entirely, but you can choose the minimum.
- Set diagnostic data to the lowest level offered by your edition.
- Disable Tailored experiences so that diagnostic data isn’t used to personalize tips and ads.
- Set Feedback frequency to Never to stop prompts.
App permissions: only what’s necessary
Windows groups permissions by capability. Open Settings → Privacy & security and review each category:
Location
Turn off globally if you don’t use maps/weather. Otherwise, keep it on and restrict to trusted apps only. Consider disabling Location history.
Camera & Microphone
Leave on for Teams/Zoom; disable for everything else. If a call app stops detecting your mic, come back and approve just that app.
Contacts, Calendar, Call history, Email, Tasks, Messaging
Unless you rely on built-in Mail & Calendar, these can often be Off by default. Enable case-by-case for productivity suites you trust.
Radios, Bluetooth, and Near sharing
Useful for headsets and nearby file transfer. Keep enabled but limit background start-ups and turn off “allow apps” you never use.
Background activity & startup apps
Excess background apps increase network chatter and battery drain.
- Apps → Startup: disable launchers and updaters you don’t need at boot.
- Apps → Installed apps: for chat or Store apps, set Background apps permissions to Never unless there’s a clear benefit.
- Focus Assist / Do Not Disturb: tame attention-grabbing notifications while working.
Ads, recommendations & content suggestions
- General: toggle off personalized ads using the advertising ID and disable suggested content in Settings.
- Start & Taskbar: turn off “Show recommendations” and “Show tips and suggestions.”
- Widgets: sign out or customize to remove news sources you don’t want tracked.
Edge & browsers: sensible defaults
We use Edge on some PCs and Firefox/Brave on others. Regardless of browser, do this:
- Set Tracking prevention (Edge) to Strict or add uBlock Origin on Chromium/Firefox.
- Disable optional data sharing/diagnostics, shopping price alerts, and “improve web results” unless you want them.
- Clear third-party cookies or block them by default; allow for specific sites that break.
See our companion article: Chrome Extensions for Privacy & Productivity (2025).
OneDrive, Photos & cloud bits
Cloud sync is handy, but you’re in control:
- OneDrive: choose specific folders. Disable “Files On-Demand” if you prefer local-only access, or keep it on to save disk space.
- Photos & People tagging: review face grouping settings if you share the PC.
- For sensitive archives, encrypt before uploading or store in an end-to-end service. Our primer: 3-2-1 backup rule.
Security bonuses that support privacy
- BitLocker: turn on device encryption for laptops; store the recovery key safely.
- Windows Hello: face or fingerprint + PIN beats a weak password.
- SmartScreen: keep on; it blocks known bad sites and downloads without sharing your browsing history.
- Local firewall: leave enabled; add rules for apps that shouldn’t talk to the network in the background.
Work & school devices
If your PC is managed by an organization, some settings are enforced by policy. You’ll see “managed by your organization.” Respect those—and keep personal data on a separate account or personal machine.
If something breaks after tightening settings
- Open the app’s permission page (search the app name in Settings) and re-enable a single permission at a time.
- Review Settings → Privacy & security → App permissions. The app likely needs Camera, Microphone, or Background permission.
- For location-based widgets/weather, enable Default location without turning on device-wide location.
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Printable checklist (save for later)
- General toggles off; Advertising ID off
- Diagnostics: minimum, Tailored experiences off, Feedback Never
- Activity history off + clear
- App permissions reviewed: Location/Camera/Mic/etc.
- Startup & background apps trimmed
- Start/Taskbar/Widgets suggestions off
- Browser privacy set (Strict + content blocker)
- BitLocker/Windows Hello on
FAQ
Q: Can I disable all telemetry?
A: On consumer editions, you can reduce telemetry to a minimum but not remove it completely without enterprise policies or third-party tools. We stick to built-in settings for stability.
Q: Will turning off permissions break Windows Update?
A: No. Updates are separate. The settings here won’t block security patches, Store updates, or drivers.
Q: Is a local account more private?
A: Yes, but you trade convenience like OneDrive Desktop sync and automatic Store sign-in. Many readers use a Microsoft account with sync minimized—both approaches are valid.
