When you use Windows, you're giving Microsoft all this information about you... This is how to make it smaller.
One of the biggest problems with Microsoft's operating system, compared to other ways to install a computer, is privacy. Windows' telemetry system is better at this than other open-source systems like Linux.
Those who take security and privacy seriously when using computers often avoid Microsoft software. They prefer other options, such as operating systems that they can customize and modify to suit their preferences and needs. Whether we realize it or not, the truth is that the tech giant's system stores far more data about its users than we might initially imagine.
In many cases, this can become quite annoying, depending on how we use our computers. Microsoft justifies this by claiming that this data storage is intended to improve the user experience of the operating system. But, as expected, these specific explanations fail to convince almost anyone, a fact particularly evident among the most advanced users of the latest versions of Windows.
This is known as telemetry or diagnostic data collection, and it's hardly convincing. In fact, it's arguably one of the most contentious issues Microsoft faces in terms of Windows user complaints. It's also important to understand that this is a data collection and storage feature, and we can't completely disable it.
How to reduce telemetry data in Windows 11
We can always reduce the level of this remote measurement from the settings application built into the operating system itself. This can be accessed using the Win + I keys, then navigating to the Privacy and Security section. Here, we find the Feedback and Diagnostics section, which we can then select.
Here we can disable the option that says "Send optional diagnostic data" to reduce all of this to the minimum allowed by Microsoft itself.
User data saved by Windows
Another aspect to consider is that Microsoft itself informs us that user data collection is anonymous. This means that its servers do not record the account names referenced by this collected information. However, this poses a significant problem for most users. Therefore, we will list below the types of data that Windows automatically collects.
- Browsing history of the Edge browser, which runs on Windows.
- Using products and services that we run on Windows, such as applications and features.
- Computer configuration and performance to improve the user experience, at least from Microsoft's point of view.
- The computer data itself. Microsoft wants to know the components of the computer, such as the processor, RAM, and other connected components.
- Installed programs. At the same time, it stores everything related to the system version or the applications installed on it.