Safeguard Your Privacy in Windows 11: Expert Tips from Computerworld

Windows 11 Privacy: Essential Steps To Protect Your Data

November 3, 2025

The rollout of advanced features in Windows 11 has sparked a renewed focus on user privacy.Microsoft’s latest operating system, while offering critically important improvements in functionality, also introduces elements that collect and process user data. understanding how to manage these settings is now more critical than ever for individuals concerned about their digital footprint.

Taking Control of Copilot and Windows 11 Settings

For users incorporating Microsoft Copilot into their workflow, managing access and privacy starts with understanding sign-in protocols. To sign out of Copilot, navigate to your profile icon, typically located in the lower-left corner of the Copilot screen, and select “Sign out.” re-accessing the feature simply requires clicking the icon again and choosing “Sign in.” if the profile icon is absent,locate the expandable pane icon in the upper-left and activate the left-side panel for account access.

Windows Recall: A Potential Privacy Concern

A noteworthy feature of newer Copilot+ PCs,Windows Recall,automatically captures screenshots of your screen at regular intervals,utilizing optical character recognition to create a searchable record of your activities. While convenient, this functionality has raised alarms among privacy advocates. Despite Microsoft’s assurances of encryption and filtering of sensitive data, recent tests have revealed potential vulnerabilities.

As of November 2025,Recall remains off by default,but verifying its status and disabling it is indeed a prudent step.To do so,navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots and disable the “Save snapshots” toggle. Later, click “Delete” to remove any previously captured snapshots. Complete removal necessitates navigating to “Turn Windows features on or off” in Windows search, unchecking the recall box, and rebooting your system.

Further Steps To Strengthen Your Privacy

Beyond managing Copilot and Recall, several proactive measures can substantially bolster your privacy within Windows 11.

OneDrive: Evaluating Cloud Sync

If you harbor reservations about syncing your data to microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage, consider discontinuing its use. While OneDrive cannot be fully uninstalled, you can unlink your PC and disable its startup behavior. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the notification tray, choose “settings,” select “Account,” and click “Unlink this PC.” Then, go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable the Microsoft OneDrive setting.

Windows Settings Sync: Opting Out

Disabling Windows settings synchronization prevents Microsoft from storing your customizations on their servers.In Settings > Accounts > Windows backup,toggle the “Remember my preferences” slider to the “Off” position.

Delivery optimization: Controlling Updates

By default,Windows 11 can share update files with other devices on your network and the internet,a feature called Delivery optimization. To disable this, navigate to Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced options > Delivery optimization and turn off “Allow downloads from other devices.”

Privacy setting	Action
Copilot Sign-Out	Click profile icon, select ‘Sign out’
Windows Recall	Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots – Toggle ‘Save snapshots’ off, then ‘Delete’
OneDrive	Unlink PC & disable startup
sync Settings	Settings > Accounts > Windows backup – Turn off ‘Remember my preferences’
Delivery Optimization	Settings > Windows Updates > Delivery optimization – Turn off ‘Allow downloads from other devices’

Did You Know? Windows 11’s diagnostic data collection levels can be adjusted in Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostic data. selecting ‘Required diagnostic data’ minimizes what Microsoft collects.

Pro Tip: Regularly review your app permissions in Settings > Privacy & security to ensure apps only have access to the data they absolutely need.

Taking these steps will significantly enhance your privacy within the Windows 11 ecosystem.

Staying Informed: The Evolving Landscape of Windows 11 Privacy

The area of operating system privacy is a consistently moving target. What’s true now may be altered with future updates and feature releases. It’s crucial to regularly revisit these settings and stay informed about new privacy-related developments from Microsoft. Industry experts continually assess windows 11’s privacy posture, often uncovering previously unknown data collection practices.

Do you feel adequately informed about the data Windows 11 collects? What additional privacy controls would you like to see implemented in future updates?

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 11 Privacy

• What is Windows Recall? Windows Recall is a feature on Copilot+ PCs that continuously captures snapshots of your screen to allow for retroactive search.
• How can I disable Windows Recall entirely? You can disable recall in settings and uninstall it through “Turn Windows features on or off.”
• Is OneDrive safe for privacy? OneDrive offers convenience through cloud sync, but some users may prefer to avoid it due to privacy concerns.
• What is Delivery Optimization? Delivery Optimization shares Windows updates with other devices, wich can reduce bandwidth usage but raises privacy considerations.
• How do I prevent Windows from syncing my settings? You can disable Windows settings sync in the Windows backup section of your account settings.
• Can I stop Microsoft from collecting diagnostic data? You can choose a lower diagnostic data collection level in the Privacy & Security settings.
• Where can I find more information about Windows 11 privacy? Microsoft’s official privacy documentation provides detailed information about its data collection practices.

This article was originally published in February 2023 and most recently updated in November 2025.

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What level of diagnostic data should you select in Windows 11 settings to prioritize privacy?

Understanding Windows 11 Privacy Settings

Windows 11, while offering a sleek and improved user experience, comes with a complex web of privacy settings.Many users are unaware of the extent to which their data is collected and how to control it. Taking proactive steps to configure these settings is crucial for maintaining your digital privacy. This guide, informed by Computerworld’s ongoing coverage of Windows security, will walk you through essential adjustments.

Diagnostic Data: What Microsoft Collects & How to Limit It

Microsoft collects diagnostic data to improve Windows. This data ranges from required basic details to optional data that provides more detailed insights.

* Required Diagnostic Data: Includes information about your device, its settings, and whether it’s performing correctly. This is essential for keeping Windows secure and up-to-date.

* Optional diagnostic Data: Contains more detailed information about your browsing history, the apps you use, and your device’s performance. While helpful for microsoft, it raises privacy concerns for many users.

To manage diagnostic data:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
2. Under “Diagnostic data,” select the level of data you’re cozy sharing. Choosing “Required diagnostic data” is the most privacy-conscious option.
3. Disable “Improve inking & typing recognition” and “Tailored experiences.”

Controlling App Permissions

Windows 11 grants apps various permissions to access your data, such as your location, camera, microphone, and contacts.Regularly reviewing and managing these permissions is vital.

Location Access

Many apps request access to your location, even when it’s not necessary for their functionality.

To manage location access:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
2. Toggle off “Location services” to disable location tracking entirely.
3. Alternatively, review the list of apps with location access and toggle them on or off individually. Be particularly cautious with apps you rarely use.

Camera & Microphone Access

Unwanted access to your camera and microphone can be a meaningful privacy risk.

To manage camera and microphone access:

1. Go to settings > Privacy & security > Camera and Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
2. Toggle off access for apps you don’t trust or don’t need to use these features.
3. Consider disabling camera and microphone access at the system level for enhanced security.

Enhancing Browser Privacy

Your web browser is a primary source of data collection. Configuring your browser’s privacy settings and using privacy-focused extensions can considerably improve your online privacy.

Microsoft Edge Privacy Settings

Microsoft Edge, the default browser in windows 11, offers several privacy features.

* Tracking Prevention: Set to “Strict” to block most trackers. Be aware this may break some websites. “Balanced” is a good compromise.

* Clear Browsing Data: Regularly clear your browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files.

* Privacy-Focused Extensions: Install extensions like Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, and DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials.

Alternative Browsers

Consider using privacy-focused browsers like Brave, Firefox (with enhanced tracking protection), or Tor Browser for increased anonymity.

Keeping Windows Updated: A Security Imperative

Regularly updating Windows is crucial for patching security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. microsoft frequently releases security updates to address these threats.

How to update Windows 11:

According to Microsoft Support (https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/installer-windows-mises-%C3%A0-jour-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a), select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Enable automatic updates to ensure you always have the latest security patches.

utilizing Windows Security Features

Windows 11 includes built-in security features that can help protect your privacy and data.

Windows firewall

Ensure Windows firewall is enabled to block unauthorized access to your computer. It’s enabled by default, but it’s worth verifying.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Microsoft Defender antivirus provides real-time protection against malware and viruses. Keep it updated and run regular scans.

Account Protection

Use a strong, unique password for your Microsoft account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security