Privacy is a growing concern for anyone using Windows 11. This article explores the best practices in managing and enhancing your privacy using built-in Windows settings as well as third-party tools. Whether you are new to Windows privacy or a seasoned power user, you’ll find step-by-step advice and real-world examples to help you take control of your data.
Why Does Windows 11 Collect Data?
Windows 11 collects telemetry and diagnostic data to improve user experience, maintain security, and troubleshoot issues. However, not all users are comfortable with the extent of data collected or shared. Microsoft offers options to manage privacy, but knowing where to look and what to change can make all the difference.
Beginner Section: How Can Beginners Enhance Privacy Quickly?
Start with Windows 11’s Privacy & Security Settings:
1. Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security.
2. Review and adjust the following categories:
– Diagnostics & feedback: Choose “Required diagnostic data” only.
– Activity history: Disable options to send activity history to Microsoft.
– Location: Turn off location access for apps that don’t need it.
– Camera and Microphone: Deny access to apps you don’t use regularly.
– Account info, Contacts, Call history, Email: Review permissions and turn off access for unnecessary apps.
Limit Personalized Ads and Tracking:
1. In Settings > Privacy & Security > General, disable “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.”
2. Turn off “Allow websites to show me locally relevant content.”
Remove Unnecessary Apps and Bloatware:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Uninstall apps you don’t use, especially those from third parties or trial software that may collect data.
Use Glary Utilities for a Privacy Shortcut:
Glary Utilities offers a ‘Privacy & Security’ module that lets you easily clean privacy traces, such as browser history, cookies, and recent document lists. For beginners, the “1-Click Maintenance” feature is an efficient way to regularly remove privacy risks without technical expertise.
Intermediate and Advanced Section: What Advanced Steps Improve Privacy Further?
Manage Telemetry and Background Services:
1. Open Services (press Windows+R, type services.msc).
2. Locate and set “Connected User Experiences and Telemetry” to Disabled, if your organization/company policy allows.
3. Use Group Policy Editor (Windows+R, type gpedit.msc) to further restrict diagnostic data:
– Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
– Set “Allow Telemetry” to “Disabled” or “0 – Security” (only Enterprise/Education editions).
Control App Permissions More Precisely:
Power users can script permission changes for installed apps or use PowerShell to audit permissions regularly. This ensures that new apps don’t enable tracking or access sensitive data unnoticed.
Review Microsoft Account Sync Settings:
1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
2. Turn off syncing of settings and data if you prefer to keep information local.
Use Local Accounts Instead of Microsoft Accounts:
Create and sign in with a local account to prevent cloud syncing and reduce data sent to Microsoft.
How Can Glary Utilities Help Advanced Users?
Glary Utilities’ ‘Tracks Eraser’ allows for custom privacy cleaning, including secure deletion of browser traces, clipboard history, and file usage history. Advanced users can schedule these cleanups or create exclusion lists for sensitive directories. The ‘Startup Manager’ further enhances privacy by disabling background programs that may leak data.
Real-World Example: Privacy Audit Using Glary Utilities
Imagine you share your Windows 11 PC with family. You’re concerned about browser history and recently accessed documents. With Glary Utilities:
1. Open Glary Utilities and go to ‘Privacy & Security’.
2. Launch ‘Tracks Eraser’.
3. Select browsers and recent document options.
4. Click ‘Erase Now’ to instantly remove traces for all user accounts.
This ensures your web activity and document usage remain private between sessions.
Regular Privacy Maintenance: What Routine Should You Follow?
– Run Windows Update periodically to receive the latest privacy patches.
– Use Glary Utilities’ 1-Click Maintenance weekly to sweep privacy leftovers.
– Every few months, review app permissions and privacy settings for changes after Windows updates.
– Check for new privacy settings with each Windows feature update, as Microsoft adds or changes options regularly.
Summary
Managing privacy on Windows 11 is an ongoing process. Beginners can make quick improvements through the built-in settings and tools like Glary Utilities. Advanced users have additional options to tighten controls and automate privacy maintenance. Regularly reviewing permissions, disabling unnecessary syncing, and cleaning traces with tools like Glary Utilities ensures your data remains protected in real-world usage.