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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

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

Phone Link : Off (use something else like KDE Connect, LocalSend, etc.)

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 only applicable 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.

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

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 not available on all 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

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