Windows 11 privacy settings: Have you updated your operating system to Windows 11 but worrying about privacy? You can protect yourself by turning off some functions in the settings.

How to Stay Safe on Windows 11: Helpful Tips for Privacy Protection

Each of us, active users of various applications, devices, and websites, should not forget about security measures. Hackers most often attack privacy. And the users themselves are not happy that their browsing history, videos, etc., are saved somewhere. Significant changes have taken place since stricter data privacy laws were enacted. For example, in Windows 11, Microsoft has given control over lists of privacy options to users. It is considered one of the best with many features.

So what tricks can help us to protect our privacy? Our friends from the Howly team

who deal with Windows  issues every day warned us about settings you should disable to protect it. And in 99% of cases, turning off the general or search permissions settings works.  So, it is exactly what we will discuss in our article. What else can be disabled without disrupting the operating system?

Safety Tips and Tricks for Windows 11 Users

Data privacy laws allow us to control and prevent the misuse of our personal data (address, bank details, etc.). However, if you have not closed access to them, some companies whose web services you use may transfer your data to third parties. And then you wonder why your mail is filled with unknown promotions?

Tip #1: General Settings

The user’s advertising ID is tied to a specific device. Therefore, it is unique for each user. If this feature is enabled, other companies whose websites you visit may collect your data for their own purposes. To prevent this, turn off the Windows Advertising ID.

How to Turn It Off?

• Go to the “Settings” menu.
• Find the “Privacy and Security” tab.
• In this section, go to “General” settings.
• Disable related settings.

Make sure your changes are saved. You may need to restart your computer.

Important! You can also disable the ability of websites to show you certain content and app launch tracking.

Tip #2: Speech Settings

Indeed, the speech recognition function is very convenient when working at a computer or on the phone. But make sure you have your privacy settings adjusted.

An interesting fact that few people know about! If you disable Microsoft’s online speech recognition technology, it will not affect the Windows speech recognition application. Only applications that rely on the technology itself will be disabled.

With this new feature, Microsoft records your voice commands in storage but ensures third parties don’t have access to them. However, as technology evolves, so do hackers. Therefore, turn it off if you rarely or do not use voice input.

How to Turn It Off?

• Go to the “Settings” section.
• Select “Privacy and Security”
• Go to the “Speech” menu and select “Off”.

Now you can be sure that fraudsters will not get access to this data.

Tip #3: Inking & Typing Personalization

Disabling this feature is often debated. First, let’s define what it is. Windows saves all your handwriting and typing history. Then, it analyzes this data and creates your personal dictionary with smart suggestions. In other words, it is when you are typing and you are offered a word that can be used further. And the system often guesses such suggestions correctly. However, why turn off the voice functions but still leave the printed ones? Therefore, we would advise you to disable this.

How to Turn It Off?

• Select “Settings.”
• Go to “Privacy and Security”.
• Select “Inking & typing personalization”.
• Disable it.

Important! If you don’t want to disable this feature, we advise you to clean your personal dictionary. Then, go back to point three and move on. You will see the corresponding button for clearing.

Tip #4: Diagnostics & Feedback

Microsoft has mandatory limited access to diagnostic data. It is necessary for the up-to-date and safe operation of Windows 11. However, the system may gain additional access to view your history and your applications. You can prevent it from accessing this additional diagnostic data.

How to Turn It Off?

• As with the previous steps, first, go to “Settings.”
• Find “Privacy and Security.”
• You will see the “Diagnostics & feedback” menu.
• Disable the corresponding function.

Important advice!  In this menu, you will see three possible functions to disable.  We recommend turning them all off. However, this step will not prevent Windows 11 from using your data and sending it to a diagnostic center.

Tip #5: Activity History

In the last version, Windows was the function of the timescale. However, after 2018, Microsoft modified more. What is the danger? The function of the haze track all your activity on the computer. In the new Windows, the function received a new name and no longer showed the schedule of your actions and tasks. But data about your actions are still stored. In order to prohibit tracking your actions and protect your confidentiality, we advise you to turn off the function.

How to Turn It Off?

• Go to the “Settings” menu.
• Choose “Privacy and Security.”
• Go to the “History of Activities” menu.
• Not only deactivate the function but also cleanse the previous ones according to the corresponding buttons in the menu.

Now your activity history is protected.

Tip #6: Search Permissions

The search page allows you to configure the search parameters associated with the confidentiality once. By SafeSearch, you can choose the amount of adult content in the preliminary review of the previous performance. In addition, you can select between harsh, average, and outside the filter. If you choose the average filter, Windows will filter videos and images for adults, but it will still display the text. But as practice shows, many users do not want this kind of data to be stored in Microsoft. Everyone has their own causes, but primarily security. Therefore, it is better to turn off these functions.

How to Turn It Off?

• Go to the “Settings” menu.
• Find the “Search Permissions” tab.
• Disable all needed functions.

It is not necessary to turn off absolutely all functions, but it is to provide a greater level of security.

Tip #7: Camera

The camera is the most sensitive function on your computer, and so that third parties can not access it, you need to protect yourself by turning off some opportunities. But, do not worry; it will not turn off your camera forever. Just use it if necessary, and the system will request your resolution.

How to Turn It Off?

• Go to the “Settings” menu.
• When scrolling the page “Privacy and Safety,” Find the “Camera.”
• Change access to it.

Now, when you take important steps to protect your privacy in Windows 11, you can be sure that you are the least defeated by the risk of theft of your personal data.