Configuring Windows 11 for Enhanced Privacy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 11 privacy settings are messy by default. I’ll walk through the practical changes that cut what Microsoft collects and keep data on your terms. Read these steps, apply them, and check each setting as you go. No fear, just workmanlike fixes.

Practical steps to configure Windows 11 privacy settings

Follow these numbered steps on the PC you want to lock down. After changing each setting, verify it by reopening the same Settings page.

1. Turn off advertising ID and personalised offers

   • Open Settings > Privacy & security > General.
   • Turn off the toggle for letting apps use an advertising ID and any setting that shows personalised ads or offers.
   • Verify: sign into an app that previously showed personalised content and confirm the content is generic. This stops apps tied to your Microsoft account from building ad profiles on that device.

2. Manage location services

   • Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
   • Turn off location for the device if you do not need it. If you need location for navigation, set app-by-app permissions instead.
   • Verify: open Maps or another location-aware app and confirm it prompts for permission or shows no location when you turned it off.

3. Control camera and microphone access

   • Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and then > Microphone.
   • Disable access for any app that does not need live audio or video. Keep access for only the apps you use frequently for calls.
   • Verify: run a web meeting or camera app after changes and confirm it asks for permission or cannot access the device.

4. Adjust diagnostic data and feedback

   • Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
   • Set optional diagnostic data off. Leave required diagnostic data as it is; Windows will show a notice about required data.
   • Click Delete diagnostic data if you want stored records removed.
   • Verify: look for the label that says you are sending required diagnostic data and confirm optional data is switched off.

5. Use the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard for account-level data

   • Visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account.
   • Clear activity types you do not want stored: browsing, search, location, voice and media activity.
   • Adjust advertising preferences on the dashboard to limit personalised ads tied to your account.
   • Verify: after clearing, the dashboard activity lists should be empty or show only the items you kept.

Those five steps deliver the biggest reduction in data flow from Windows 11. Each one is quick. Each one reduces a specific telemetry or personal data stream.

Tips to improve data protection

These are practical choices that reduce linking between your PC and Microsoft services. Some introduce trade-offs. I’ll point those out.

• Switch to a local account

  • Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account.
  • Consequence: you lose Microsoft account sync for settings, passwords and OneDrive integration. That is the point for privacy.
  • Verify: after switching, revisit Accounts and confirm it shows a local account; sign-in options will be different.

• Sign out of Copilot to limit conversational data

  • Open Copilot, click the profile or account icon, and sign out of your Microsoft account within the Copilot UI.
  • This removes personalised conversation history tied to your account. Copilot features may be limited afterwards.
  • Verify: Copilot should show a sign-in prompt or anonymous mode.

• Unlink OneDrive to stop automatic syncing

  • Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, open Settings > Account, then choose Unlink this PC.
  • Disable OneDrive from starting on boot if you do not want it running at all.
  • Verify: OneDrive will prompt to sign in again or will not show synced files in File Explorer.

• Disable peer-to-peer update sharing

  • Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimisation.
  • Turn off Allow downloads from other PCs. This stops your PC from sharing updates with other devices on the internet or local network.
  • Verify: check Delivery Optimisation status; it should show only download from Microsoft or be turned off.

• Review shared experiences and cross-device syncing

  • Settings > System or Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings (label varies by build).
  • Turn off Shared Experiences or the toggle labelled “Share across devices”.
  • Verify: check your phone link or nearby devices sections and confirm no cross-device activity appears.

Practical examples and quick checks

• Example: after unlinking OneDrive and switching to a local account, open File Explorer and confirm cloud icons are gone and you can sign in separately to OneDrive if you later need it.
• Example: after turning off camera or mic access for an app, launch that app. It should either prompt for permission or fail to access hardware.
• Example: after clearing activity on the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard, search or browse then revisit the dashboard to confirm the cleared items do not reappear unless you sign in and permit them.

Trade-offs you need to accept

• Some diagnostic data is required and cannot be turned off. That setting is shown on the Diagnostics page.
• Switching to a local account increases manual management: passwords, settings and backups need a different strategy.
• Signing out of Copilot or unlinking OneDrive reduces convenience. That is the trade-off for less data collection.

Final takeaways
Make these changes on the devices you use daily. Apply the Settings toggles, then verify each change by testing the relevant app or service. I prefer local accounts plus selective app permissions. That combination cuts the noise while keeping the features I actually need.