Windows 11 includes a telemetry feature called “Activity History.” By default, Windows logs virtually everything you do on your PC—which apps you open, which documents you edit, which websites you visit in Microsoft Edge, and exactly how long you spend doing each task. It then stores this data locally and occasionally syncs it to your Microsoft account to power features like search suggestions.
For privacy-conscious users, having your operating system silently record a minute-by-minute diary of your digital life is deeply unsettling. If you share your computer with family members or simply do not want Microsoft building a comprehensive timeline of your daily habits, you should disable this tracking feature immediately.
How to Turn Off Activity History in Windows 11
You can revoke Windows’ permission to track your usage directly from the Privacy settings.
- Click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand navigation pane, click on Privacy & security.
- Scroll down the main window on the right until you find the “Windows permissions” section.
- Click on Activity history.
- Locate the toggle switch labelled Store my activity history on this device.
- Click the toggle switch to turn it completely Off.
- To wipe out the diary Windows has already built, scroll down slightly and click the Clear history button.
Your Windows 11 PC will instantly stop logging your daily behavior. Your recently opened apps and documents will no longer be aggregated into a comprehensive timeline, ensuring your daily workflow remains completely private and untracked.