Windows 11 treats many system features as "Apps."
| Category | Examples | Purpose (as per Microsoft) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Hardware specs, install IDs, update success/failure | OS stability & security | | Optional Diagnostic | URLs visited (in limited cases), app usage | Product improvement | | Advertising ID | Unique user ID for cross-app ads | Personalized ads in apps | | Activity History | Timeline, opened files, visited websites | Cross-device workflows | | Typing & Inking | Handwriting patterns, dictionary entries | Improve input prediction |
Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history .
The following tools are widely used to block telemetry and enforce privacy settings.
If you're referring to (the modern successor to the legendary XP-AntiSpy), it is generally considered a highly effective and lightweight tool for reclaiming privacy on Windows 11. Top Windows 11 Privacy Tools
Even after turning off all toggles in Settings > Privacy & security , Windows 11 still:
If maximum privacy is required, consider Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora) or Windows 11 on an air-gapped network . Anti-spy tools reduce but do not eliminate Microsoft’s data collection.
Sign Up for Newsletter Windows 11 treats many system features as "Apps."
| Category | Examples | Purpose (as per Microsoft) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Hardware specs, install IDs, update success/failure | OS stability & security | | Optional Diagnostic | URLs visited (in limited cases), app usage | Product improvement | | Advertising ID | Unique user ID for cross-app ads | Personalized ads in apps | | Activity History | Timeline, opened files, visited websites | Cross-device workflows | | Typing & Inking | Handwriting patterns, dictionary entries | Improve input prediction |
Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history .
The following tools are widely used to block telemetry and enforce privacy settings.
If you're referring to (the modern successor to the legendary XP-AntiSpy), it is generally considered a highly effective and lightweight tool for reclaiming privacy on Windows 11. Top Windows 11 Privacy Tools
Even after turning off all toggles in Settings > Privacy & security , Windows 11 still:
If maximum privacy is required, consider Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora) or Windows 11 on an air-gapped network . Anti-spy tools reduce but do not eliminate Microsoft’s data collection.
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