While Windows 11 offers enhanced features, many users remain on Windows 10. This guide outlines crucial privacy settings to disable in Windows 10 to bolster your security.

Essential Windows 10 Privacy Adjustments

This section details how to disable specific features and modify settings for enhanced privacy. Remember, additional steps beyond these settings, such as regular backups and utilizing data recovery tools, are highly recommended for complete data protection.

(Recommended backup tool):

(Recommended recovery tool):

1. Disable Targeted Advertising:

Windows 10 uses a unique advertising ID to track your activity, enabling targeted ads. Disabling this prevents tracking, though ads will still appear.

• Open Start, then Settings.
• Select Privacy & security > Privacy.
• Choose General.
• Toggle Let apps use advertising ID to personalize ads to Off.

This also resets your advertising ID. Consider also disabling:

• "Let websites provide locally relevant content..."
• "Let Windows track app launches..."
• "Show me suggested content in the Settings app."

[Learn more about removing ads from Windows 10.](Link to relevant guide)

2. Eliminate Start Menu Suggestions:

Windows 10 often suggests apps in the Start menu. Here's how to disable these suggestions:

• Open Settings.
• Go to Personalization > Start.
• Turn off Show suggestions occasionally in Start.

3. Deactivate Location Tracking:

Disable location services to prevent Windows from tracking your device's location.

• Open Settings and select Privacy & security > Privacy.
• Go to Location.
• Toggle Location for this device to Off.
• Click Clear to erase your location history.

4. Disable Activity History (Timeline):

Windows 10's Timeline feature tracks your activities. To disable this tracking:

• Open Settings and select Privacy & security > Privacy.
• Go to Activity history.
• Uncheck Store my activity history on this device and Send my activity history to Microsoft.
• Click Clear to delete your activity history.

5. Prevent Cortana from Data Collection:

Cortana collects data like voice recordings and typing patterns. To stop this:

• Open Settings and select Privacy & security > Privacy.
• Go to Inking & typing.
• Turn off Getting to know you.

Additional Security Measures:

For comprehensive security, consider these additional steps:

• Manage Diagnostics & feedback settings.
• Adjust Automatic updates settings.
• Control app permissions, particularly Location.
• Disable Sync settings.
• Restrict Background apps.
• Disable Allow downloads from other PCs (Delivery Optimization).
• Manage Notifications & actions.
• Limit lock screen information.
• Review browser privacy settings.
• Control Camera and Microphone access.
• Use a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

By implementing these settings, you can significantly enhance your privacy and security while using Windows 10. Remember that regular backups and a robust recovery tool are vital components of a comprehensive security strategy.

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