Windows sends diagnostic data to Microsoft, and Home and Pro editions don't have a switch that turns it all off. You can still reduce what you share, starting with optional diagnostics and the separate settings in Microsoft apps. Here's where to change those controls, request deletion of past data, and stop diagnostics from being used for personalized offers.
Turn off optional Windows diagnostic data
This stops optional Windows diagnostic sharing. Required diagnostics stay enabled.
On Windows 11, open Settings.
Select Privacy & security.
Open Diagnostics & feedback.
Turn off Send optional diagnostic data.
On Windows 10, go to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback.
Select Required diagnostic data. Older Windows 10 builds label this option Basic.
Setting up a new PC? Decline optional diagnostic-data sharing during Windows setup. The wording varies between setup versions.
Request deletion of previously collected diagnostics
Deleting past diagnostics is separate from limiting future collection, and device and account data need separate requests.
- 1.Open Settings.
- 2.Select Privacy & security on Windows 11, or Privacy on Windows 10.
- 3.Open Diagnostics & feedback.
- 4.Under Delete diagnostic data, select Delete. This requests deletion of device diagnostics; it doesn't stop future collection or delete account-associated diagnostics.
- 5.For account-associated data, sign in to the Microsoft account privacy dashboard.
- 6.Review and clear the apps-and-services activity you want removed. This includes application usage and other diagnostic information available on the dashboard.
Keep diagnostics out of personalized offers
These controls limit how Microsoft uses data for tips, ads, and recommendations. Windows diagnostic collection stays on.
On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Personalized offers.
Turn off Get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations based on my Windows activity.
For a personal Microsoft account, open Personalized ads and offers on the privacy dashboard.
Opt out of using other Microsoft-product activity for personalized offers.
Can't find the Windows switch under Personalized offers? Look under Recommendations & offers instead.
Stop contributing typing and voice samples
If you share handwriting, typing, or voice samples, check these additional controls. You can stop contributing voice-typing samples and keep using voice typing.
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
Turn off Improve inking and typing. On Windows 10 versions with this separate control, use Privacy instead of Privacy & security.
For Windows 11 voice typing, press Windows + H.
Open Settings in the voice-typing interface.
Follow the link to stop contributing voice clips.
On Windows 10, open Settings > Privacy > Speech.
Under Help make online speech recognition better, select Stop contributing my voice clips. If this option is absent, Microsoft says your clips aren't being contributed.
To disable the associated cloud speech service too, open Settings > Privacy & security > Speech on Windows 11, or Settings > Privacy > Speech on Windows 10.
Turn off Online speech recognition. This goes beyond declining improvement samples and affects applications that use the service.
Check diagnostic settings in Microsoft apps
Some Microsoft apps have their own privacy controls, so optional diagnostics can stay enabled in them after you change the Windows setting.
In Edge, open Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Privacy.
Turn off Send optional diagnostic data to improve Microsoft products.
Restart Edge.
If Edge directs you to Windows instead, turn off optional diagnostics under Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback on Windows 11, or Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback on Windows 10.
In a Microsoft 365 desktop app or Office 2024 or 2021, open File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings. Classic Outlook uses Office Account instead of Account.
Disable optional diagnostic-data sharing in those privacy settings.
For new Outlook, open Settings > General > Privacy and data > Privacy settings.
Disable optional diagnostic data there. These choices apply to that app and device.
In Teams Free, open Settings and more > Settings > Privacy.
Turn off Extended diagnostics data. Required diagnostic and service data stay enabled.
On a supported Surface device, open the Surface app.
Select Data Collection.
Turn off Send optional diagnostic data. Surface diagnostics are separate from Windows diagnostics.
Restrict access to other apps' diagnostics
Use these permissions to stop supported Windows apps from reading diagnostic information about other apps. Traditional desktop applications are exempt.
On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > App diagnostics.
Turn off Let apps access diagnostic info about your other apps.
For a narrower restriction instead, leave that switch on.
Turn off access for the individual listed apps you want to block.
On Windows 10, open Settings > Privacy > App diagnostics.
Turn off Allow apps to access diagnostic info about your other apps.
Resolve locked controls on a work or school PC
Your organization can restrict changes to diagnostic settings. If Send optional diagnostic data or an app's privacy controls are locked, contact your IT administrator.
Enterprise and Education editions support an organizational option to turn off Windows diagnostic data. Home and Pro don't support that level, and setting a registry value to zero doesn't bypass the restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off optional diagnostics stop every connection to Microsoft?
No. Required service traffic, cloud-feature content, and security submissions are separate from optional diagnostics. This setting doesn't stop those connections.
Does reducing feedback frequency disable telemetry?
No. Feedback frequency controls how often Windows asks for feedback. It doesn't control automatic diagnostic collection.
Can I turn off optional diagnostics while using Windows Insider Preview?
Windows Insider Preview requires optional diagnostic data. Keeping it enabled is a requirement for supported preview configurations.
Do I need Diagnostic Data Viewer to change these settings?
No. Diagnostic Data Viewer is an optional tool for inspecting diagnostics. Turning off its local storage clears its viewing history but doesn't stop diagnostic uploads to Microsoft.