How to Configure Windows 11 Privacy Settings

Secure your data on Windows 11 with this precise guide to managing app permissions, telemetry, and advertising identifiers.

1. Open Privacy & Security settings. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon. Navigate to the left-hand sidebar and click on Privacy & security to reveal the complete list of system permissions.
2. Disable Windows General privacy options. Under the Windows permissions section, select General. Toggle off all options, including allowing apps to show personalized ads using your advertising ID and tracking app launches to improve Start menu results.
3. Manage location and diagnostic data. Return to the main Privacy & security menu and select Location. Toggle Location services to Off if you do not require weather or map features. Proceed to Diagnostics & feedback and set Diagnostic data to Required diagnostic data only to limit telemetry transmission.
4. Review app-specific permissions. Scroll down to the App permissions section. Click on critical hardware access points such as Camera, Microphone, and Contacts one by one. Toggle access off for individual applications that do not require these permissions to function.
5. Disable activity history. Navigate to the Privacy & security menu and select Activity history. Uncheck the box labeled Store my activity history on this device and click the Clear button to remove existing local logs from your current user account.
6. Verify search permissions. Select Searching Windows within the Privacy & security menu. Set the search mode to Classic to restrict search indexing to only your local libraries and exclude cloud-based web search results from the Start menu.