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Windows-11.md

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Windows 11 Privacy Settings

Go to Settings.

System

Notifications

  • Additional settings >
    • Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what's new and suggested: Off
    • Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device: Off
    • Get tips and suggestions when using Windows: Off

Nearby sharing

  • Off (Enable this only when needed. Remember to turn it off when no longer required.)

Remote Desktop

This feature is not available in Home editions

  • Off (Enable this only when needed. Remember to turn it off when no longer required.)
  • Require device to use Network Level Authentication to connect: On

Bluetooth & devices

Mobile devices

AutoPlay

  • Use AutoPlay for all media and devices: Off

Network & internet

Ethernet

  • DNS server assignment > Edit >

    • Edit DNS settings: Manual
    • IPv4: On

      • Preferred DNS: enter IPv4 address of a provider from this list

        Example: For Quad9, enter 9.9.9.9

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

      • Alternate DNS: enter alternate IPv4 address of the same provider as above or a different provider

        Example: For Quad9, enter 149.112.112.112

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

    • IPv6: On

      • Preferred DNS: enter IPv6 address of a provider from this list

        Example: For Quad9, enter 2620:fe::fe

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

      • Alternate DNS: enter alternate IPv6 address of the same provider as above or a different provider

        Example: For Quad9, enter 2620:fe::9

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

    Click Save

Wi-Fi

  • Random hardware addresses: On

  • Hardware properties > DNS server assignment > Edit

    • Edit DNS settings: Manual
    • IPv4: On

      • Preferred DNS: enter IPv4 address of a provider from this list

        Example: For Quad9, enter 9.9.9.9

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

      • Alternate DNS: enter alternate IPv4 address of the same provider as above or a different provider

        Example: For Quad9, enter 149.112.112.112

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

    • IPv6: On

      • Preferred DNS: enter IPv6 address of a provider from this list

        Example: For Quad9, enter 2620:fe::fe

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

      • Alternate DNS: enter alternate IPv6 address of the same provider as above or a different provider

        Example: For Quad9, enter 2620:fe::9

      • DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)

      • Fallback to plaintext: Off

    Click Save

Personalization

Lock screen

  • Personalize your lock screen
    • select Picture or Slideshow
    • Get fun facts, tips, tricks and more on your lock screen: Off

Start

  • Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps and more: Off

Device usage

  • Turn everything off

Apps

Installed apps

Uninstall anything you don't use like XBox, candy crush, some other preinstalled apps/games etc. Be sure not to uninstall anything important. If you have doubts about any app, search the net.

Accounts

Your info

This section is applicable only if you've signed in with a Microsoft account

Delete your account picture and set it to default as mentioned below:

  • Choose a file > Browse files
  • Go to C:\Users\JohnDoe\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures and delete your picture. (Replace JohnDoe with your username)
  • Go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures and select guest.png.

ℹ️ NOTE: AppData is a hidden folder by default. To enable: in file explorer on top click View > Show > select Hidden items.

Sign-in options

  • Show account details such as my email address on the sign-in screen: Off

Time & language

Typing

  • Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard: Off
  • Typing insights: Off

Privacy & security

Windows Security

  • Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Manage settings > All protections on (Except automatic sample submission)
  • Firewall & network protection > Firewall should be on for domain, public and private networks.

Find my device

  • Find my device: Off

General

  • All off

Recall & Snapshots

This feature is available only on some devices

  • Save Snapshots: Off
  • Delete Snapshots >
    • Delete all snapshots: Delete all

Speech

  • Online speech recognition: Off

Inking & typing personalization

  • Custom inking and typing dictionary: Off

Diagnostics & feedback

  • Diagnostic data > Send optional diagnostic data: Off
  • Improve inking & typing: Off
  • Tailored experiences: Off
  • Delete diagnostic data: Delete
  • Feedback frequency: Never

Activity history

  • Send my activity history to Microsoft: Off

Search permissions

  • Cloud content search
    • Microsoft account: Off
    • Work or School account: Off
  • More settings
    • Show search highlights: Off

App permissions

  • Review each permission and disable accordingly (choose which apps can have access to location, camera, microphone, notifications etc. If any app doesn't need something, turn it off.)
  • App diagnostics > App diagnostic access: Off

Windows Update

Advanced options

  • Delivery Optimization > Allow downloads from other PCs: Off

Disable ads in file explorer

Open file explorer. Click 3 dots menu on top > Options >

  • Click View on top of the new popup >
    • Uncheck Show sync provider notifications
    • Click Apply
    • Also click "Apply to Folders" on top (if available)

Disable telemetry service

Press Win key + r > type services.msc > press enter

  • Double-click on Connected User Experiences and Telemetry >
    • Service Status: Stopped (Click on Stop, if service is running)
    • Startup Type: Disabled
    • Click OK

Block & uninstall Quick Assist

Press Win key + r > type powershell > press ctrl + shift + enter > Yes

  • Type (or copy paste) the following in the powershell window & press enter: 
    notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  • In this hosts file add the following line at the bottom & save it: 
    0.0.0.0	remoteassistance.support.services.microsoft.com
  • To uninstall, type (or copy paste) the following in the powershell window & press enter: 
    Get-AppxPackage -Name MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Block all Microsoft telemetry

Press Win key + r > type powershell > press ctrl + shift + enter > Yes

  • Type (or copy paste) the following in the powershell window & press enter: 
    notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  • Add everything from this list at the bottom of the hosts file & save it.

The list is updated regularly, so remember to check back often & replace old entries in the hosts file with the most recent ones. Windows updates will function normally even with these additions.

Disable trending searches & web search in search bar

Press Win key + r > type regedit > press enter > Yes

  • Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
  • In the left navigation window, right click on Search > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > name it BingSearchEnabled
  • Double click it and make sure Value data is set to 0
  • Open Task Manager > Processes > select Windows Explorer > Right click > Restart

Disable Copilot

Press Win key + r > type regedit > press enter > Yes

  • Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  • In the left navigation window, right click on Windows > New > Key > name it WindowsCopilot
  • Right click on WindowsCopilot > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot
  • Double click it and set Value data to 1 > OK
  • Open Task Manager > Processes > select Windows Explorer > Right click > Restart

Fresh install

Block preinstalled third-party bloatware

  • In the installation media setup wizard, select Time and currency format as English (World).
  • Once the device restarts, an error (Something went wrong) will be displayed. Click on Skip & continue with the rest of the setup.
  • After the whole setup completes & the device boots into Windows 11, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Country or region: select your country/region

Bypass Microsoft account requirement

After the installation media setup wizard completes & the device begins to restart, disconnect your internet connection (even if you're unable to disconnect for any reason, keep following the process).
After the device restarts, it'll reach the country or region selection screen.

  • Press Shift + F10. On some devices you may require to press Fn + Shift + F10.
  • In the command prompt, type the following & press enter: 
    oobe\bypassnro
    Your device will restart.
  • If for some reason you were unable to disconnect from the internet earlier, press Shift + F10 or Fn + Shift + F10 again. In the command prompt, type the following & press enter: 
    ipconfig /release
  • Select I don't have internet & continue with the local account creation.
  • If you used ipconfig /release command previously, once the whole setup process is complete:
    • Press Win key + r > type cmd & press enter.
    • In the command prompt, type the following & press enter: 
      ipconfig /renew