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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2.Choose Customize and then click on 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.
2.From the left-hand menu click on Your info.
3.Now click on 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.
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.
2.From the menu that opens click on Settings.
3.Scroll down then click on Advanced settings.
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
6.Reboot your PC to save changes.
Disable Cortana Data logging
1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on 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“.
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.
9.Reboot your PC to save changes.
Disable Data Logging Via Registry Editor
1.Press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter.
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.
4.Change it’s value to 0 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
3.Now from the right window pane double click on AllowTelemetry then select Disable.
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.
7.Choose Enabled then click Apply followed by OK.
8.Reboot your PC to save changes.
Recommended:
- Fix One or more network protocols are missing on this computer
- How to Switch to tablet mode in Windows 10
- Windows sockets registry entries required for network connectivity are missing
- Fix High CPU Usage by Service Host: Local System
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.