How to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10

How to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10: Data Logging is the collection of private data of users over a period of time by large corporations in order to analyze this data for personal gains. Hence, data logging is a severe privacy issue which most of the users aren’t aware of and Microsoft isn’t any different as with the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft is pushing users to sign into their PC using a Microsoft Account. In short, you will need an active internet connection and this way big corporations can easily spy on your private data.

How to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10

Before Windows 10, users were generally able to sign into their PC using a local account and they didn’t need an active internet connection to sign in. Many users don’t realize that they can set up Windows 10 without using a Microsoft account, but that is because this option is cleverly hidden. Anyway without wasting any time let’s see how to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10 with the help of the below-listed guide.

How to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Privacy.

From Windows Settings select Privacy

2.From the left-hand menu select General.

3.Now from the right-hand window, disable/turn off the privacy options which you don’t approve of such as advertising ID, sending of data to Microsoft on your typing/keylogging, websites accessing your data, apps accessing your data, location, and others.

In Privacy make sure to turn on the toggle for Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results

4.Again from the left-hand window select Feedback & Diagnostics.

5.Under right window pane set Diagnostic data to Basic and Feedback frequency to Never.

Set Diagnostic data to Basic and Feedback frequency to Never

6.Reboot your PC to save changes.

Disable data logging during Windows 10 installation

1.When you install Windows 10, you are given an option to either use Express Settings or customize these settings.

Use Express Settings or customize these settings

2.Choose Customize and then click on Don’t have an account option.

Don't have an account option

3.Enter the local account information and continue with Windows 10 installation.

Sign in with a local account instead of Microsoft Account

1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Accounts.

From Windows Settings select Account

2.From the left-hand menu click on Your info.

3.Now click on Sign in with a local account instead.

Sign in with a local account instead

4.Key in your Microsoft Account password and click Next.

5.Set up the local account username and password and click Next.

Switch to a local account

6.Finally, click Sign out and Finish.

Disable Data logging on Microsoft Edge

1.Open Microsoft Edge then click on the three dots on the top right corner.

click three dots and then click settings in Microsoft edge

2.From the menu that opens click on Settings.

3.Scroll down then click on Advanced settings.

Click View advanced settings in Microsoft Edge

4.Again scroll down till you see Privacy and options.

5.Disable or Turn off the following settings under Privacy and options:

  • Have Cortana assist me in Microsoft Edge
  • Show search and site suggestions as I type
  • Page prediction
  • SmartScreen

Disable Have Cortana assist me in Microsoft Edge and Show search and site suggestions as I type

6.Reboot your PC to save changes.

Disable Cortana Data logging

1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Privacy.

From Windows Settings select Privacy

2.From the left-hand menu click on Speech, inking, & typing.

3.Under Getting to know you click on “Turn off speech services and typing suggestions“.

Click on Turn off speech services and typing suggestions

4.Now again go back to Settings menu then click on Cortana.

5.From the left-hand menu click on Permissions & History.

8.Scroll down and click “Clear my device history” under History.

click Clear my device history under History

9.Reboot your PC to save changes.

Disable Data Logging Via Registry Editor

1.Press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter.

Run command regedit

2.Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection

3.Make sure to select DataCollection key then in the right window pane double-click on AllowTelemetry.

In registry go to Data Collection under Policies then double click on AllowTelemetry

4.Change it’s value to 0 and click OK.

Change the value to 0 of AllowTelemetry key and click OK

5.Restart your PC to save changes.

Disable Data Logging via Group Policy Editor

Note: This method will only work for Windows 10 Enterprise and Professional edition users.

1.Press Windows Key + R then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.

2.Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds

Select Data Collection and Preview Builds then double-click on Allow Telemetry in gpedit.msc window

3.Now from the right window pane double click on AllowTelemetry then select Disable.

Under AllowTelemetry settings select Disabled then click OK

4.Click Apply followed by OK.

5.Similarly, navigate to the following path inside the gpedit window:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive 

6.From the right window pane Double click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.

Open Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage policy

7.Choose Enabled then click Apply followed by OK.

Enable Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage

8.Reboot your PC to save changes.

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That’s it you have successfully learned How to Disable Data Logging on Windows 10 but if you still have any questions regarding this post then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

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