How to Stop Windows from Sending App Usage and Feature Usage Data

Windows can collect app usage, feature usage, and diagnostic activity to improve recommendations, troubleshoot issues, and personalize parts of the system. This usually comes from privacy settings such as Diagnostic data, Tailored experiences, Activity history, and app permissions that are enabled by default or left on after setup. Some Microsoft apps also keep their own usage and activity settings separate from the main Windows privacy menu.

What Causes This?

Windows includes several built-in telemetry and privacy options that allow it to record how you use apps, features, search, and system tools. These settings are often enabled during installation, after major updates, or when signing in with a Microsoft account. In some cases, app-specific permissions and Microsoft account activity settings continue sending usage-related data even after you turn off one main privacy option.

Common Symptoms

• Windows shows personalized tips, suggestions, or recommendations based on how you use your PC
• You notice privacy settings like Diagnostic data or Tailored experiences are turned on
• Activity history or app launch behavior seems to be tracked across devices
• Microsoft apps appear to remember usage patterns or recent activity more than expected
• You want to reduce background data sharing but are not sure which setting controls it

How to Fix It Manually

1. Open Windows Privacy settings.

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to Privacy & security.

2. Reduce diagnostic data collection.

   • Click Diagnostics & feedback.
   • Set Send optional diagnostic data to Off.
   • Turn Improve inking & typing to Off if shown.
   • Turn Tailored experiences to Off.
   • Under Delete diagnostic data, click Delete if you want to remove stored diagnostic data from Microsoft’s side.

3. Turn off activity tracking.

   • In Settings, go to Privacy & security > Activity history.
   • Uncheck or turn off any option that stores your activity history on this device.
   • If available, clear existing activity history from the same page.

4. Disable app usage-related permissions where possible.

   • In Privacy & security, review categories such as General, Search permissions, and App permissions.
   • In General, turn off options like:
     • Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID
     • Let websites show me locally relevant content
     • Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches
     • Show me suggested content in the Settings app
   • In Search permissions, reduce cloud content and history options if you do not want search activity tied to your account.

5. Check Microsoft account privacy settings.

   • Open a browser and sign in to your Microsoft account privacy dashboard.
   • Review stored activity, search, location, and app-related data.
   • Clear any history you do not want kept, and disable available tracking options.

6. Review app-specific settings.

   • Open Microsoft apps you use often, such as Edge, Microsoft Store, or Office apps.
   • Check each app’s Settings or Privacy section for usage analytics, personalization, or optional diagnostic data.
   • Turn off anything you do not want shared.

7. Restart your PC.

   • Click Start > Power > Restart.
   • This helps make sure the updated privacy settings fully apply.

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