How to Protect Your Privacy in Windows 10

It is no secret that Windows 10 comes with data tracking hooks and tidbits engraved in several Microsoft online services. Microsoft uses your user data to personalize advertisements and ultimately improve your user experience. However, you have the option to reduce the amount of user data Microsoft collects from you. In this step by step tutorial, you will learn how to disable Windows 10 integrations that allow data collection. This guide will help you decide which features to turn off depending on your level of comfort. If you value your data, it is recommended to follow all the steps in this tutorial to ensure your data privacy.

Method #1: Configure the Privacy Settings

Step 1

Hit the Windows icon on the taskbar then the settings icon as shown below:

Step 2

Under the Windows Settings, find and select the Privacy settings as illustrated below:

Step 3

You now need to change the privacy options by TURNING OFF the switches shown below. The first option allows Microsoft to customize your advertisement feed based on your app activity. It is up to you to decide which privacy options to leave on. However, turning all of them off increases your privacy significantly.

Step 4

Select ‘Diagnostics & feedback’ on the left then select the level of diagnostic data collected to basic as shown in the image below:

Step 5

Scroll down and delete the diagnostic data collected by Microsoft as shown below. Change the Feedback frequency to ‘Never’ as illustrated below:

Step 6

Select ‘Activity history’ on the left panel then uncheck the ‘Send my activity history to Microsoft’ setting as illustrated below:

Step 7

Under App permission, select ‘Location’ on the left panel. If the location for your device is on, you should consider changing the setting to secure your location. You can change the setting by simply clicking on the ‘Change’ button.

Step 8

You should also consider changing the Microphone access as well because Microsoft is said to record your speech patterns without your consent. However, you can enable the microphone whenever you need to use it.

Step 9

You can choose under the App permission which features to deny access depending on your usability and preference.

Method #2: Edit the Group Policy

Step 1

Double press ‘Windows Key + R’ then type and run ‘gpedit.msc’ as shown below:

Step 2

On the left panel, navigate to ‘All Settings’ as shown below. Find the ‘Allow Telemetry’ setting which determines the highest level of Windows diagnostic data sent to Microsoft. You need to double click it t configure.

Step 3

Here you need to enable the setting then set the security level to 0 as shown below. Click ‘Apply’ then ‘OK’ to save your changes.

Method #3: Edit the Windows Registry

Note: Editing the Windows Registry randomly could cause severe system failure. Follow the step on this method carefully.

Step 1

Navigate to the path shown in the image below then change the ‘Allow Telemetry’ value to 1 then hit ‘OK.’

Method #4: Disable or remove OneDrive from Windows 10

OneDrive collects data and stores data during synchronization. You should follow our guide on how to disable or completely remove OneDrive in Windows 10.

Method #5: Switch from Microsoft Live account to a Local Account

You should log out of your Microsoft Account and use a local account. This increases your privacy because data is only stored locally.

Conclusion

You now know how to protect your privacy in Windows 10. Was this tutorial helpful? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.