Reviewing Privacy Settings During Windows 11 Setup

Learn how to configure and restrict telemetry and data collection settings during the initial Windows 11 installation process.

  1. Reach the Privacy Settings screen. Proceed through the initial installation prompts, including language selection, keyboard layout, and network connection. After checking for updates, the setup assistant will present the 'Choose privacy settings for your device' screen.
  2. Disable Location Services. Locate the 'Location' toggle at the top of the list. Switch the toggle to 'Off' to prevent applications from accessing your precise physical location data.
  3. Restrict Diagnostic Data. Find the 'Diagnostic data' section. Select the option labeled 'Required diagnostic data' to limit the information sent to Microsoft to only essential system health checks.
  4. Deactivate Inking and Typing. Toggle the 'Inking and typing' setting to 'Off'. This stops the transmission of your handwriting and typing patterns to Microsoft servers for input improvement.
  5. Disable Find My Device and Advertising ID. Scroll down to 'Find my device' and 'Advertising ID'. Switch both toggles to 'Off' to prevent persistent tracking and the creation of a personalized ad profile based on your activity.
  6. Accept and Continue. Verify that all toggles are set to your preference. Click the 'Accept' button at the bottom of the window to apply these privacy configurations and proceed to the desktop environment.

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