How to Stop Windows 10 from Collecting Personal Data

6/24/20252 min read

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a blue building with many windows and a sky background

🔐 How to Stop Windows 10 from Sharing Your Data: Privacy Settings You Must Change

If you're concerned about Windows 10 sharing too much of your personal data, you're not alone. Microsoft’s default settings are often too permissive, silently collecting user behavior and system information in the background.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to turn off data sharing in Windows 10, improve your privacy settings, and take back control of your personal information.

📱 Step 1: Customize Windows 10 Privacy Settings

To start, click the Start Menu and open the Settings app. Navigate to:

Settings > Privacy

Here, you’ll find settings for:

  • App access to Camera, Microphone, Location

  • Access to Contacts, Calendar, and Account Info

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  • “Windows 10 privacy settings”

  • “Stop apps from accessing your data on Windows 10”

Disable access for apps that don’t need it to reduce your exposure to unwanted data collection.

📊 Step 2: Disable Feedback & Diagnostics Tracking

By default, Windows 10 sends "enhanced diagnostic data" to Microsoft. If you'd rather limit this:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback

  2. Select Required diagnostic data (formerly called “Basic”)

  3. Turn off Tailored experiences and Feedback frequency

This minimizes the amount of personal data Microsoft collects from your PC.

🛡️ Step 3: Adjust Windows Defender Privacy Controls

Next, navigate to:

Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security

Here, under Virus & Threat Protection Settings, turn off:

  • Cloud-delivered protection

  • Automatic sample submission

While these features enhance real-time security, they also send data to Microsoft. Disable them if you're prioritizing privacy over automated diagnostics.

📶 Step 4: Turn Off Wi-Fi Sense and Network Sharing Features

Wi-Fi Sense is a feature designed to auto-connect you to nearby open networks or those shared by contacts. However, it may share your network credentials without your knowledge.

To disable Wi-Fi Sense:

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi

  2. Click Manage known networks (or “Wi-Fi Settings” in older builds)

  3. Turn off:

    • Connect to suggested open hotspots

    • Connect to networks shared by my contacts

    • Paid Wi-Fi services

For added privacy, rename your Wi-Fi SSID to include _optout to prevent it from being used by Windows' auto-connect system.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Create a Guest Network for Visitors

Rather than sharing your primary Wi-Fi, set up a guest network for visitors. This adds a layer of protection between your personal devices and the public internet.