Privacy Settings to Review Right After Installing Windows 11

When you first set up a new Windows 11 PC, it’s easy to click through the setup screens just to get started. But Microsoft’s default settings often lean toward data collection and personalization, which may not align with your privacy preferences. By taking a few minutes to review and adjust your settings, you can better protect your personal data, reduce tracking, and control how much information your computer shares with Microsoft and third parties.

Here are the key privacy settings you should review immediately after installing Windows 11:

1. Diagnostics & Feedback

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & Feedback.
By default, Windows sends diagnostic data to Microsoft. You can:
- Set Diagnostic Data to Required only.
- Turn off Tailored experiences to prevent personalized ads and tips based on your usage.
- Disable Improve inking & typing if you don’t want Microsoft collecting typing data.

2. Advertising ID

Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > General.
Turn off Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
- This stops apps from building a profile of you for targeted advertising.

3. Activity History

In Settings > Privacy & Security > Activity history, uncheck Store my activity history on this device and Send my activity history to Microsoft.
- This prevents Windows from tracking and syncing your app and browsing activity.

4. Location Settings

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location.
If you don’t use location-based apps, turn Location services off entirely.
If you need location occasionally, limit access to specific apps instead of allowing all apps.

5. App Permissions

Windows 11 gives apps access to sensitive hardware and data by default. Review permissions under Settings > Privacy & Security and check each category (Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Calendar, etc.):

Disable access for apps that don’t need it.
For example, keep your microphone and camera off unless actively used by video conferencing or recording apps.

6. Speech, Inking & Typing

In Settings > Privacy & Security > Speech, turn off Online speech recognition unless you rely on voice dictation.
Under Inking & Typing personalization, disable personalization if you don’t want Microsoft learning your typing style.

7. Find My Device

In Settings > Privacy & Security > Find my device, disable it if you don’t want your location tracked.
If you use a laptop and travel often, you may want to keep it on for recovery purposes.

8. Microsoft Account & OneDrive Syncing

During setup, Windows pushes you to use a Microsoft account and sync files with OneDrive.
If privacy is your priority, consider:
- Using a local account (you can switch after setup).
- Turning off OneDrive sync for folders you don’t want stored in the cloud.

9. Edge Browser Privacy

If you use Microsoft Edge:

Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
Set Tracking prevention to Strict.
Turn off Personalized ads, shopping, and search suggestions.
Clear browsing data regularly or set it to clear on exit.

Windows 11 can be customized to respect your privacy more, but it requires a little upfront effort. By reviewing these settings right after installation, you take control over your personal data instead of letting Microsoft’s defaults decide for you.