Windows 10 Privacy Settings to Disable Tracking

Privacy is a growing concern in our digital lives. Windows 10 offers a range of privacy settings that allow you to control the data Microsoft collects about you and how it’s used. While some data collection is necessary for the operating system to function, you have the power to limit the tracking. Over the years, I’ve helped many people navigate these settings, and I’ve seen how empowering it can be to take control of your personal information. This guide will walk you through the steps to adjust your Windows 10 privacy settings and minimize tracking.

Step 1: Accessing the Privacy Settings

The first step is to open the Windows 10 Privacy settings.

1. Click on the Start Menu (the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
2. Click on the Settings icon (it looks like a gear).
3. In the Settings window, click on Privacy.

This will open the main Privacy settings window, where you’ll find various categories on the left-hand side. We’ll go through the most important ones for disabling tracking.

Step 2: General Privacy Settings

The “General” category controls broad privacy options.

1. Select General from the left-hand menu.
2. Review the options on the right:
   • “Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app usage (Turning this off will reset your ID)”: ¹ Consider turning this Off. This prevents Microsoft and third-party apps from using an advertising ID to track your app usage and show you personalized ads. While it might mean seeing less relevant ads, it also reduces tracking.
   • “Let websites provide locally relevant content by accessing my language list”: You can choose to turn this Off. While it might slightly affect the relevance of content on some websites, it limits the sharing of your language preferences.

1. • “Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results”: Turning this Off can limit tracking of your app usage. If you value privacy over slightly more personalized search results, consider switching this Off.
   • “Show me suggested content in the Settings app”: This setting controls whether Microsoft shows you tips and suggestions within the Settings app. Turning it Off is a matter of personal preference and doesn’t significantly impact tracking.

Step 3: Location Privacy Settings

The “Location” category controls whether Windows and apps can access your device’s location.

1. Select Location from the left-hand menu.
2. Under “Location for this device is on,” you can choose to turn Location services Off entirely for your device. This will prevent all apps and Windows features from accessing your location. If you need location services for certain apps (like maps), you can leave it on and manage app-specific permissions below.
3. Scroll down to “Choose which apps can access your precise location.” Here, you can individually toggle the location access On or Off for each app. Review the list and disable access for apps that don’t need your precise location.
4. Under “Default location,” you can set a default location if location services are enabled but your device can’t pinpoint your exact location. This is optional.
5. Consider clearing your location history by clicking the Clear button under “Location history.”

Step 4: Camera and Microphone Privacy Settings

These categories control which apps can access your camera and microphone.

1. Select Camera from the left-hand menu.
2. You can choose to turn “Allow apps to access your camera” Off entirely. If you need your camera for specific apps (like video conferencing), leave it on and manage app-specific permissions below under “Choose which apps can access your camera.” Review the list and disable access for apps that don’t need it.
3. Similarly, select Microphone from the left-hand menu.
4. You can choose to turn “Allow apps to access your microphone” Off entirely. If you need your microphone for specific apps (like voice recording or calls), leave it on and manage app-specific permissions below under “Choose which apps can access your microphone.” Review the list and disable access for apps that don’t need it.

Regularly reviewing these settings is a good habit. I often check which apps have access to my camera and microphone to ensure only the necessary ones do.

Step 5: Account Info Privacy Settings

This category controls which apps can access your account information.

1. Select Account info from the left-hand menu.
2. Review the list under “Choose which apps can access your account info.” Toggle the access On or Off for each app as needed. Consider disabling access for apps that don’t require your full account details.

Step 6: Contacts, Calendar, Email, and Other App Permissions

Similar to Account Info, other categories like Contacts, Calendar, Email, Call history, etc., control app access to specific types of your personal data.

1. Go through each of these categories on the left-hand menu.
2. Review the list under “Choose which apps can access your [specific data type].”
3. Toggle the access On or Off for each app based on your preferences and the app’s functionality. For example, a weather app might need access to your location, but a simple game likely doesn’t need access to your contacts.

Step 7: Diagnostics & Feedback Privacy Settings

This category controls the diagnostic data sent to Microsoft.

1. Select Diagnostics & feedback from the left-hand menu.
2. Under “Diagnostic data,” you have a choice:
   • Basic: Sends only data about your device, its settings and capabilities, and whether it is performing properly.
   • Full (Recommended): Sends all of “Basic” data, as well as info about websites you browse and how you use apps and features, plus device health, device activity, and enhanced error reporting. For increased privacy, select Basic.
3. Under “Improve inking & typing,” you can choose to turn this Off to stop sending data about your typing and handwriting patterns to Microsoft.
4. Under “Tailored experiences,” you can choose to turn this Off to prevent Microsoft from using your diagnostic data to offer personalized tips, ads, and recommendations.
5. Scroll down to “Diagnostic data viewer.” You can turn this On to see the diagnostic data being collected. This is more for advanced users who want to understand the data in detail.
6. Under “Delete diagnostic data,” you can click the Delete button to remove the diagnostic data sent from your device.

I personally choose the “Basic” diagnostic data option and turn off “Tailored experiences” to limit the amount of data shared.

Step 8: Activity History Privacy Settings

This category controls the tracking of your activities on your device.

1. Select Activity history from the left-hand menu.
2. Uncheck the box next to “Let Windows collect my activities from this PC” if you want to stop Windows from tracking the apps and services you use.
3. Uncheck the box next to “Let Microsoft use this data to provide more relevant experiences (such as ordering your activities based on when you used them)” if you don’t want Microsoft to use this data for personalized experiences.
4. Under “Manage my Microsoft account activity data,” you can click the link to go to your Microsoft account online and manage the activity data stored there.
5. Click the Clear button under “Clear activity history on this device” to remove the existing activity history.

Step 9: Further Considerations

While the above steps cover the main privacy settings related to tracking, here are a few additional points to consider:

• Microsoft Account vs. Local Account: Using a local account instead of a Microsoft account can limit some of the data syncing and collection associated with a Microsoft account. However, it also means you won’t have access to certain features like seamless syncing across devices.
• Browser Privacy Settings: Your web browser also has its own privacy settings. Be sure to configure these to your preferences, such as disabling third-party cookies and using privacy-focused search engines.
• Third-Party Apps: Review the privacy settings of individual third-party apps you install, as they may also collect and share data.

My Personal Approach to Windows 10 Privacy

Over time, I’ve found a balance that works for me. I generally disable the advertising ID, limit location access to essential apps, and choose the “Basic” diagnostic data option. I also regularly review app permissions to ensure I’m comfortable with the level of access they have. It’s about finding the right balance between functionality and privacy for your individual needs. By carefully adjusting these Windows 10 privacy settings, you can significantly reduce the amount of tracking and gain more control over your personal data. Take the time to go through each category and configure the settings according to your preferences. Your privacy is worth it.