Windows 11 Privacy Settings You Should Change to Protect Your Privacy
With each new iteration of windows, the amount of data collected by Microsoft on its users continues to increase and with windows 11 that trend continues if you’re someone who cares about your privacy I will show you 10 settings on windows 11 that you can change to help protect your privacy all of which you can easily do yourself without the use of any third-party software.
GENERAL PRIVACY
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| General Privacy |
For most of them, we’ll use the Settings app. I know most of you already know how to turn them on for those who don’t go to the taskbar. Right-click Start and select Settings, you can also open it with a keyboard shortcut, Windows key plus I, which uses your Advertising ID. Microsoft tracks your activity and then shares this information with its advertising partners, who will then serve ads to you to disable your advertising ID and other general privacy settings on the left select Privacy and security in Windows permissions. Go to the general. Disabled.
SPEECH RECOGNITION
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| Speech Recognition |
Privacy and Security If you are not using new Windows 11 features (such as Voice Access and Voice Typing) and do not wish to send your data to Microsoft, turn off Microsoft Online Speech Recognition in Windows Recognition, and click the toggle switch to turn it on to Disabled.
Diagnostic Data
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| Diagnostic Data |
Unfortunately, while Microsoft collects data about your computer activity and hardware components called diagnostic data, it cannot be completely disabled to send optional diagnostic data. Disable it if you use a local account like “I am”. This is greyed out and can’t be changed. So make sure you make changes to your primary Microsoft account. Also, go to Improvements. Inking and typing turn this feature off, preventing your keystrokes from being sent to Microsoft to create a personalized dictionary again. It’s grayed out if you’re using a local account and you don’t want Microsoft to use your data for personalized ads, tips and suggestions, and tailored experiences.
Activity History
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| Activity History |
Microsoft the sneaky devil it is keeps Track of all your activity on windows 11to disable the feature or shall I say non-feature in windows permissions go-to activity history uncheck the boxes for store my activity history on this device and send my activity history to Microsoft when you’re done with that go down to clear activity history and click on clear then select ok.
Turn Off Location Permissions
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| Location |
For programs and apps that you don’t want to access your location, you can easily turn off their access in Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Apps & Permissions section, and if you toggle the switch at the top, click Location to turn off location services for all programs. I don’t recommend doing this in case your device gets stolen. This makes tracking and returning more difficult. Instead, turn off access to apps that you know don’t need to access your location.
Disable Camera Access
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| Disable Camera Access |
Another permission that should be disabled for certain apps and programs is granting unwanted access to your camera. Keep the in-app permissions, go to the camera, like disabling the location toggle disables the camera’s access to all apps when you exit the app it disables the camera permissions for any apps you don’t want to access. For example, the Microsoft Store doesn’t need access to your camera at any time, so I’ll disable it.
Disable Microphone Access
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| Disable Microphone Access |
In addition to the camera, you should also disable microphone access for apps and programs that shouldn’t access it, go to the microphone in-app permissions under “camera”, just like location and camera. Turning off the switch at the top disables microphone access to all apps and programs, preferably only those that you don’t want to have access to the microphone all the time.
Disable Cortana
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| Cortana |
Cortana the halo-inspired personal assistant is still present in windows 11 collecting information about the activity on your computer to disable it completely in the left sidebar go to apps then select apps and features scroll down and find Cortana and there it is clicked the three-dot icon here on the right and select advanced options scroll down and turn off runs at login and this will completely disable this intrusive feature.
Turn On Tracking Prevention
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| Turn On Tracking Prevention |
The default browser on Windows 11, Microsoft Edge, is one of the least private browsers available, even if you switch your default browser to a more privacy-focused browser such as Microsoft. B. Brave Edge, which still works when you click links in Windows apps and links in the widget area. If you enable tracking prevention, the data collected about you will be minimized. Click the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select Settings from the left pane. If it’s not enabled, click Private Search and Services at the top here. Enable Tracking Protection Microsoft recommends setting the Tracking Protection level to balance the highest level of privacy is strict. They say parts of the site might not work, but we’ve never had an issue where your mileage might vary depending on which site you visit, so some of your points might work best for you.
Misc. Edge Privacy Settings
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| Edge Privacy Setting |
While we’re here, let’s scroll down to the privacy section because as most of you know, many websites want to track your browsing activity and collect information about you as you surf the web, which is impossible to do so the website It may be declined to do so, but at least sites that identify and meet this requirement will stop tracking you. Keeping your payment method on file is handy, even though this data is encrypted, it can put your card at risk in the event of a fraud or data breach. All and I repeat all encrypted data can be cracked. It is more secure to manually enter card information each time.