Windows Digital Consent
What, Windows?
Did you know that everything you do on a Windows machine is recorded? Did you also know that Microsoft collects information based on those records?
By default Windows will collect and send data to Microsoft servers even if you disabled it during initial setup.
What data does Windows 11 collect?
Optional Data
Changes to browser configuration impacting search experiences.
Browser activity, including browsing history and search terms in Microsoft browsers.
More detailed information about device settings and configurations.
Samples of the content you type, write, or dictate on the device.
Details about status of transcribing input into text.
More detailed information about the operating system, apps and services installed.
App activity, such as which apps are launched.
Operating system and services usage.
“Tailored Experiences”
Start Menu and Taskbar pins
Whether the user clicked on, or hovered over, UI controls or hotspots
Content searches within an app
User navigation and interaction with app and Windows features. This information could include user input, such as the name of a new alarm set, user menu choices, or user favorites
If data shows that a user hasn't used a particular feature of Windows, we might recommend that the user try that feature.
User ID
Microsoft creates and stores an advertising ID that is used to feed you tailored ads.
Each Microsoft account has a store ID and advertising ID that track where and how you spend your time on UWP apps.
Forced to Opt in?
Bing/Edge
Microsoft Edge collects most information that passes through it, history, passwords, etc. This data is uploaded and stored on Microsoft servers. The search bar on windows also uses Edge to provide “ai enabled” search results.
Third Party Tools
The rise of third-party tools can be used as an indicator of overall user dissatisfaction. These tools combined have tens of millions of downloads, showing that a lot of users are interested in turning off Windows calling home.
However, this is only a tiny fraction of users, most people who are seeking these tools are already aware of the telemetry. Windows 11 has over 1 billion users as of January 2026, showing that these tools are only used by about 1% or less of total users.
Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility
CTT WinUtil has 17 million+ downloads from the Github page. Primary serving to disable telemetry and data collection, it has other features to install and configure apps.
Win11Debloat
Designed to be lightweight, it only includes privacy related features and some common “tweaks.”
O&O ShutUp10++
The only closed source tool that has gained popularity. They do not disclose exact download numbers, however, this tool has been featured thousands of times on site like Youtube. Due to the closed source nature, many recommend other tools, it still remains widely used.
What is the Solution?
Windows and Microsoft as a whole intentionally makes this information hard to understand or does not give the user options before collecting user data.
This must change, users need to be informed about what they are agreeing to, and there must be options to turn off ALL telemetry and other forms of data sharing.
The setup phase for Windows 11 can often times take many hours depending on setup. The privacy screen is conveniently located right at the end, this is no accident. Privacy settings should be right at the beginning of the process, with more visibility over what each setting does.
Settings App
No matter what, the user should be able to reverse their decision at any time. Following the previous setup screen, increasing user awareness and allowing users to choose what they want, when they want it.
