Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
iOS How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Woman disgusted by her laptop
Windows Signal blasts Microsoft over Recall privacy failings, as secure messaging app is forced to fudge a way of blocking the controversial Windows 11 feature
Private browsing mode in safari browser iphone apple
Security How to browse the web anonymously
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Windows Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
Angry man ripping out his hair in front of his laptop
Windows Warning: check your PC’s Windows 11 encryption feature to make sure your data is not at risk
A young man working on laptop in office writing notes
Windows Windows 11 could soon get a nifty new privacy feature that tells you when people are sneakily looking at your laptop screen
Galaxy Book4 Edge on table
Windows Find Windows 11’s settings too confusing? Microsoft has an answer – and it unsurprisingly relies on AI
  1. Computing
  2. Software
  3. Windows

How to use Windows 10 privacy settings

How-to
By Advice, Windows Help published 8 June 2016

Stay private in Windows 10

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Windows 10 privacy

Windows 10 privacy

Privacy is a hot topic these days. The rise of cloud-based services has seen more users than ever trust their private information to remote servers, at a time when the security of online data has come into question following a spate of high-profile breaches.

What does this have to do with Windows 10 users? Well, it might surprise you to learn in Microsoft's Privacy Statement, the company makes clear its intention to collect your data when you 'create a Microsoft account, submit a search query to Bing, speak a voice command to Cortana, upload a document to OneDrive, or contact us for support'.

However, if you'd rather not hand over your private data, don't worry – it's not too late to roll back these changes. Here we'll run you through some steps to help you take back your privacy in no time.

  • Check out our collection of guides on how to use Windows 10
Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
1. Ad personalisation

1. Ad personalisation

Personalised ads are a form of targeted marketing that companies use online. When you visit a website for the first time, a 'cookie' is downloaded to your PC – a small text file of viewing data that the site uses if you ever return, so that it can tailor the ads you see.

Happily, Windows 10 makes advertising personalisation optional by integrating it into its privacy settings.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
2. Disable ads in Windows

2. Disable ads in Windows

Disabling personalised ads in Windows 10 is a two-step process. First, go to the 'Settings' window by selecting the option from within the Start menu.

Once you're in 'Settings', navigate to the 'Privacy > General' panel via the left-hand column and slide off the button next to the option 'Let apps use my advertising ID for experience across apps'. Turning this off will reset your ID.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
3. Disable ads online

3. Disable ads online

This next step has to be carried out online, so in your web browser, go to Microsoft's webpage for controlling your Ad preferences.. On the web page that appears, select the 'x' or 'Off' button in the box next to 'Personalised ads wherever I use my Microsoft account' and do the same in the box next to 'Personalised ads in this browser'.

  • 100 Windows 10 tips and tricks
Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
4. Wi-Fi Sense

4. Wi-Fi Sense

Another new feature of Windows 10 that you may prefer to disable is Wi-Fi Sense, which lets you share access to password-protected Wi-Fi routers.

To achieve this, Wi-Fi Sense shares passwords over an encrypted network to other users' computers that you have approved, but the users themselves never see the password and cannot grant sharing permissions to others.

  • How to manage Wi-Fi in Windows 10
Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
5. Manage Wi-Fi Settings

5. Manage Wi-Fi Settings

The advantage of Wi-Fi Sense is that it means you don't have to approve friends every time they come over and try to connect to your wireless network.

But if you'd rather not use it, go to 'Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Wi-Fi Settings', and switch off the buttons next to 'Connect to suggested open hotspots' and 'Connect to open networks shared by my contacts'.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
6. Disable OneDrive

6. Disable OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud service for storing files online and lets users work on files from anywhere. If you have no use for OneDrive, adjust settings so you're no longer bothered by prompts to configure it.

Click the upward arrow on the right-hand side of the taskbar, right-click the OneDrive icon and select 'Settings'. Uncheck the boxes in the window that appears.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
7. Cortana data gathering

7. Cortana data gathering

Cortana is Microsoft's digital personal assistant built into Windows 10. It's a useful feature that lets you create calendar events, send email, set up reminders plus a range of other actions.

But to perform these duties it has to collect your data. If you've never used Cortana then you have nothing to do, but if you do and you could live without it, here's how to turn it off.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
8. Goodbye Cortana

8. Goodbye Cortana

Click the Cortana icon in the taskbar and then select the notebook icon on the left side of the menu. Choose 'Settings'. At the top is a slider for an option that says 'Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts, and more'; turn it off.

You'll then see a new option called 'Search online and include web results'. Turn this off if you want to keep searches local.

  • Here's why Cortana leaves Siri and Google Now in the dust
Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
9. Bing search

9. Bing search

Bing is Microsoft's answer to Google. And it also collects data on your online activities, which then feeds into Cortana and other Windows 10 services.

To turn it off, open 'Settings' and go to 'Privacy > Speech, inking, and typing'. Click the option to 'Go to Bing and manage personal info for all your devices'. Read the notes on the web page that appears; if you're happy, click 'Clear'.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
10. Using a local account

10. Using a local account

Using a local account in Windows 10 is a privacy-savvy way of limiting the system's access to the cloud. To set one up, go to 'Settings > Accounts > Your account', select the option to 'Sign in with a local account instead' and follow the wizard.

Bear in mind that you'll lose access to any Windows features that are tied to your online Microsoft account, such as Windows Store.

If you're after more ways to protect your privacy in Windows 10, check out our guide on how to fix Windows 10 privacy issues with O&O Shutup 10.

  • Enjoyed this article? Discover how to get the most from your PC and new things to do in Windows Help & Advice. Take advantage of an exclusive offer in our sampler today.
Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
TOPICS
Windows 10
Windows Help
See more Computing How Tos
Read more
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Woman disgusted by her laptop
Signal blasts Microsoft over Recall privacy failings, as secure messaging app is forced to fudge a way of blocking the controversial Windows 11 feature
Private browsing mode in safari browser iphone apple
How to browse the web anonymously
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
Angry man ripping out his hair in front of his laptop
Warning: check your PC’s Windows 11 encryption feature to make sure your data is not at risk
A young man working on laptop in office writing notes
Windows 11 could soon get a nifty new privacy feature that tells you when people are sneakily looking at your laptop screen
Latest in Windows
Windows 10's grave
Confused by a mysterious update that's suddenly appeared on your Windows 10 PC? Don't panic – here's what you need to know
Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed
Microsoft just gave the Windows 11 Notepad app a controversial feature that people are either loving or hating
Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer
'It's obvious that users are frustrated': consumer rights group accuses Microsoft of not providing a 'viable solution' for Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11
Woman disgusted by her laptop
No, Windows 11 PCs aren't 'up to 2.3x faster' than Windows 10 devices, as Microsoft suggests – here's why that's an outlandish claim
Upset PC gamer with head in hands by his PC
I don't generally recommend downloading Windows 11's preview updates, but some gamers may want to chance Microsoft's latest effort
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 25H2, and in some ways, I'm glad we're not getting a major update like Windows 12 this year
Latest in How Tos
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 310-5 after Day 1 Gill century
Emma Raducanu preparing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Raducanu vs Xu online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
A woman dances on a friend's shoulders at the Glastonbury Festival held at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset on June 29 near Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded in 1970, has grown into one of the largest outdoor green field festivals in the world.(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
How to watch Glastonbury replays on BBC iPlayer (it's FREE)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I've been using Google AI Search mode for 4 months, and here are 5 tips to get the best results
  2. 2
    This is probably the most powerful rugged laptop ever built - and you can even add a barcode scanner
  3. 3
    Viewsonic unveils monitors with infrared cameras - but misses a trick by allowing them to be powered by USB-C (and shame they're not 4K)
  4. 4
    How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 9: get ready for new foldable phones and more
  5. 5
    OWC reveals fast 4TB secure portable SSD for less than $530 - 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption, touchscreen, but no IP rating

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...