How to Change Windows Telemetry Levels from Basic, Enhanced, or Full

What Causes This?

Windows telemetry is the system that collects diagnostic and usage data and sends it to Microsoft. The available telemetry level depends on your Windows edition and version: Home and Pro usually offer fewer choices, while Enterprise and Education can allow more control through Group Policy. In some cases, organization policies, privacy tools, or registry changes can also lock the setting or make it look different from older labels like Basic, Enhanced, or Full.

Common Symptoms

• You want to reduce the amount of data Windows sends to Microsoft
• The Diagnostics & feedback setting is grayed out or missing options
• Windows shows different telemetry labels than older guides online
• Privacy or debloating tools changed the setting and you want to verify it
• You are troubleshooting high background activity tied to diagnostic services

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check the telemetry setting in Windows Settings

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
   • Look for Diagnostic data.
   • On newer Windows versions, you will usually see:
     • Required diagnostic data
     • Optional diagnostic data
   • To send less data, turn Optional diagnostic data Off.

2. Understand how old telemetry levels map to current settings

   • Older Windows documentation may refer to:
     • Basic
     • Enhanced
     • Full
   • On current Windows versions, these labels were simplified.
   • In practice:
     • Required diagnostic data is the lower setting and is closest to Basic
     • Optional diagnostic data enabled is closest to Full
   • Enhanced is no longer commonly exposed as a separate option in modern consumer versions of Windows.

3. Use Group Policy if you have Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education

   • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, then press Enter.
   • Go to:
     • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
   • Double-click Allow Diagnostic Data or Allow Telemetry depending on your version.
   • Set it to Enabled to choose a level, or Not Configured to let Windows manage it normally.
   • If a level dropdown appears, choose the lowest available option for less data collection.
   • Click Apply, then OK.

4. Check the Registry if the setting is locked

   • Press Windows + R, type regedit, then press Enter.
   • Navigate to:
     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
   • Look for a value named AllowTelemetry.
   • Common values include:
     • 1 = lower diagnostic level
     • 3 = fuller diagnostic level
   • If this was set by a policy or tool, changing or deleting it may restore the normal Settings option.
   • Restart your PC after making changes.

5. Confirm there are no work or school policies overriding your choice

   • Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
   • If your device is managed by an employer or school, telemetry settings may be enforced.
   • In that case, you may not be able to change the level yourself.

6. Restart and verify

   • Restart your PC.
   • Go back to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
   • Confirm the setting matches what you selected and is no longer being overridden.

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