The Silent Surveillance
Windows 11 collects a significant amount of diagnostic data from your computer and sends it to Microsoft’s servers. This telemetry includes information about your hardware configuration, which applications you run and for how long, error logs, performance metrics, and even typing and inking data if optional diagnostic collection is enabled. Microsoft states this data is used to improve Windows, identify bugs, and enhance the user experience. However, for privacy-conscious users, enterprise environments with strict data governance policies, or anyone who simply objects to their operating system transmitting usage patterns without explicit, informed consent, this automatic data collection is unacceptable.
Minimising Diagnostic Data Collection
To stop Windows 11 from automatically collecting and sending optional diagnostic data to Microsoft, you must restrict the telemetry level to the minimum required for security updates.
Open Settings (Win + I). In the left-hand sidebar, click on Privacy & security. Select Diagnostics & feedback. Under the “Diagnostic data” section, you will see a toggle labelled Send optional diagnostic data. Turn this toggle off. With this disabled, Windows 11 will only send “Required diagnostic data” — the bare minimum needed for the operating system to function safely and receive security updates. Scroll down further and disable Improve inking and typing and Tailored experiences, both of which use your diagnostic data to personalise ads and suggestions. You should also click Delete diagnostic data to purge any telemetry Microsoft has already collected from your device. On Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions, you can further restrict telemetry via Group Policy: navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds and set “Allow Diagnostic Data” to Diagnostic data off (not recommended) or Send required diagnostic data.