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The complete guide to Windows privacy settings for gamers

Windows collects significant telemetry by default. Beyond the privacy concern, the collection processes consume CPU and disk I/O. Here's what to disable and how.

Advertising ID

Windows assigns each PC an advertising ID for targeted ads in apps. No gaming benefit.

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo
Enabled = 0
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Activity History

Windows tracks which apps you open, files you access, and websites you visit (across devices if signed in with Microsoft account).

Settings → Privacy → Activity history → uncheck everything.

Registry:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
PublishUserActivities = 0
EnableActivityFeed = 0
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Tailored Experiences

Uses diagnostic data to show suggestions and recommendations:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy
TailoredExperiencesWithDiagnosticDataEnabled = 0
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App launch tracking

Windows tracks which apps you launch to improve Start menu suggestions:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Start_TrackProgs = 0
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Location

Unless you use location-aware apps, disable it:
Settings → Privacy → Location → turn off.

Feedback frequency

Windows periodically asks for feedback. Set to Never:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules
NumberOfSIUFInPeriod = 0
PeriodInNanoSeconds = 0
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All of these are in IzanagiOP's Safe Optimizations privacy section. https://terweb.lt/

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