Windows 10 vs. Windows 11: Which collects more information about you and what you can do about it?

Windows, data collection, and privacy have always been a controversial topic. Now that Windows 10's end of support is approaching, many users are wary of upgrading to Windows 11 because they believe this operating system collects even more data than Windows 10, but is that really the case?

The answer is a resounding no, because both operating systems collect the same amount of information, so you don't have to worry about Windows 11 being worse for your privacy than Windows 10. They're actually the same, unless you're using a very old, unsupported version of the latter (prior to 1903).

This distinction is important because Microsoft changed its data collection policy in Windows 10 with version 1903, and that policy has remained unchanged since then. Windows 11 has the same data collection policy as that operating system.

What data does Windows collect and how does it affect my privacy?

When using Windows, we must differentiate between the collection of required data , that is, data that is mandatory, and data that is collected optionally. This means that, whether we like it or not, Windows will always collect information within that mandatory data, and therefore we have no control over it.

Optional data is a different story. We can decide whether or not to allow this data to be collected , and this is entirely at our discretion. The list of data we can voluntarily share with Microsoft is extensive, and it includes data that may be very useful to the Redmond giant, but not so much to the user.

Among the data that Windows may collect are:

• Device information and its correct operation.
• Application usage and overall performance.
• Log and data of errors and crash dumps suffered.
• User reviews and ratings.
• Activity data on our device.
• Location and websites we visit.
• Information relevant to showing us ads, including our interests.

Data required by Windows

At the operating system level, the mandatory data that Windows collects is primarily focused on data that is useful for performing diagnostic tasks , determining your computer's compatibility with future updates and patches, and also for keeping your computer protected and secure.

This type of data is essential for Windows to function properly, as it is used to perform basic tasks such as the correct deployment of updates on PCs with different configurations. In general, data about the computer's hardware and software is collected anonymously , so it doesn't pose a risk to your privacy.

However, when we use other Microsoft applications and services, especially those that run in the cloud, either wholly or partially, we'll find that they have their own data collection requirements, and this completely changes the impact they'll have on our privacy.

The list is long, and these apps and services may require authentication and device configuration data, certificates, license data, and network information . Some of the most popular apps and services of this type include, for example, Windows Spotlight, Windows Search, the Windows Insider Program, the troubleshooting tool, Mobile Link, Find My Device, and the custom dictionary, among many others.

These types of apps already involve greater data collection, and they can compromise our privacy . Since this data is collected compulsorily, we have no choice, as it's necessary for these apps or services to function. So we can only accept or reject the use of these apps and services; there's no other option.

Windows Optional Data

Windows 10 and Windows 11 allow us to optionally share a large amount of data with Microsoft. We have full control over this data , which means we can decide whether or not to share it, and we can change our minds at any time. This data is primarily used for three purposes:

• Improve diagnostic tasks.
• Improve the user experience with the operating system and its applications.
• That we can receive personalized tips and ads to improve our experience with the Windows ecosystem.

While it's true that this optional data collected by Windows 10 and Windows 11 can be somewhat useful, the truth is that in the end it's quite invasive, and as I said, it can compromise our security , so in most cases I recommend disabling it.

The optional data whose collection we can disable with a few simple clicks are the following:

• Browsing history data, which includes all of our internet activity, from pages visited to searches performed, and changes to settings in the Microsoft Edge browser.
• More precise data on the device's configuration and connectivity , going beyond the basic data required for the operating system to function properly.
• Handwriting, typing, and voice data: This involves the collection of various items, such as dictation, typing, and writing samples, as well as anything derived from the use of the transcription function.
• Advanced product and service performance data: Again, this is more precise data on your computer's performance with certain products and apps, which can help Microsoft better tailor its product ads to you.
• Product and service usage data: This includes things like your use of different apps, your preference for certain apps and services, as measured by the number of times we launch them, and other operating system and service usage statistics.
• More precise software configuration and inventory data: This is another option that allows us to go beyond the basic data required by Windows to get an idea of our computer's compatibility with certain updates.

How to disable data collection in Windows and improve my privacy

Required data cannot be disabled, but it does not pose a significant risk to user privacy. Optional data collection can be disabled, and in fact, it is highly recommended.

There are many ways to disable optional data collection in Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the easiest is to use the operating system's settings menu . Below, we explain the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type "Settings." Enter the first result.

Step 2: Click on the “Privacy and Security” option.

Step 3: Go to “Comments and Diagnostics.”

Step 4: Here we will disable the options of:

• Send optional diagnostic data.
• Improve handwriting and writing.
• Personalized experiences.
• Diagnostic Data Viewer (may consume 1 GB of storage).

Step 5: This step is optional and depends on your previous settings. If you had enabled the diagnostic data viewer, you must delete that data.

Step 6: Return to the "Privacy and Security" section by clicking the icon on the left.

Step 7: Go to “Voice” and disable online voice recognition.

Step 8: Go back to "Privacy and Security" and select "Activity History." Disable it. If you had it enabled, you'll need to delete all stored data by clicking the corresponding button.

Step 9: In "Privacy and Security," go to "General" and uncheck all the boxes. You can leave the box for ads based on our language list checked if that's relevant to you.

Step 10: Now we go back to "Privacy and Security", enter "Find My Device" and disable the option to save the location of this device when it's connected to the Internet.

Step 11: If we want to further enhance privacy, we can follow the path "Privacy & Security > Search Permissions" and disable the option to save search history. If you had this option enabled, it's recommended to delete it after disabling it.

How to disable optional data collection in Windows with a simple command

If you don't want to go step by step disabling all of these options, and you prefer to disable telemetry completely in just a few seconds, just do the following:

1. Press the Windows key and type “CMD” without quotes.
2. Right-click the “Command Prompt” result and run it as administrator.
3. Now copy and paste these commands, without the quotes: “sc config DiagTrack start= disabled” and “sc config dmwappushservice start= disabled” .

s

ource