# DoNotSpy11 An application for turning off bloatware and disabling telemetry. Won't be 100%. 90% is still better then stock Windows 11. After installation and rebooting, system response was snappier. Applications loaded faster. Only my experience, but meant my system resources were more available to me. Idle RAM low in comparison to before. Noice. Reboot not necessary for many applications, most modern systems can handle making configuration changes. But. Windows 11 is a codebase of 50-100 million lines of code. Many moving parts. Expect things to go wrong, simply because it *can*. > [!INFO] > Reboot ensures configuration loads cleanly. Not to mention unloads all programs/bloatware that was running before and kills it entirely. Just because you've removed something from disk, doesn't always mean it is removed from memory/buffer. > Hence, always a good idea. Especially if software asks to 'Create a Restore Point'. There is a reason for that. Things can go VERY wrong requiring restoring machine back to previous state. Link: https://pxc-coding.com/donotspy11/ Reviews: https://www.scam-detector.com/validator/pxc-coding-com-review/ ## The Why & How YouTube kept sharing videos of technical users trying debloating scripts and software. Research led to this program. Primary search was to disable Microsoft Recall when it was first announced. Hard nope for me, thanks. Searching for as many ways to uninstall or disable entirely led me to other programs I could get rid of. Answers gave me more then I was expecting. Including many other pieces of telemetry and bloatware I could get rid of. For Microsoft to not recognise users wouldn't want to be 'watched' every step of the way, is a sign of touch lost with reality. The privacy implications are huge. Microsoft not exactly known to be the best at security. Not to mention the long list of moving parts mentioned above, something would always be bound to go wrong. List of items that can be disabled by category: > [!NOTE]- Advertising > - Advertising: Disable “Meet Now” > - Advertising: Disable Advertising in Windows Explorer > - Advertising: Disable and Reset Advertising ID > - Advertising: Disable App Suggestions in Windows Ink Workspace > - Advertising: Disable Bluetooth Advertising > - Advertising: Disable Cloud Optimised Content > - Advertising: Disable My People App Suggestions > - Advertising: Disable News and Interests > - Advertising: Disable Start Menu App Suggestions > - Advertising: Disable Suggested Content in the Settings App > - Advertising: Disable Suggestions in Timeline > - Advertising: Disable Suggestions to Get The Most out of Windows > - Advertising: Disable Third Party Suggestions > - Advertising: Disable Windows Welcome Experience > [!NOTE]- AI > - AI: Disable Click to Do ***new*** > - AI: Disable Copilot > - AI: Disable Notepad AI Features ***new*** > - AI: Disable Paint Cocreator ***new*** > - AI: Disable Paint Generative Fill ***new*** > - AI: Disable Paint Image Creator ***new*** > - AI: Disable Recall (Snapshots) > - AI: Disable Settings Agentic Search Experience ***new*** > - AI: Disable Taskbar Copilot Button > [!NOTE]- Apps > > > [!WARNING] > > > > Disabling some of these apps will cause certain applications to stop working properly. Most for me are turned off, I require full control of my systems. Exceptions are camera and microphone for Discord & OBS to function properly. > > - Apps: Disable Access to Account Info > - Apps: Disable Access to Calendar > - Apps: Disable Access to Call History > - Apps: Disable Access to Camera > - Apps: Disable Access to Contacts > - Apps: Disable Access to Diagnostic Data > - Apps: Disable Access to Email > - Apps: Disable Access to Eye Tracking > - Apps: Disable Access to Language List > - Apps: Disable Access to Location Info > - Apps: Disable Access to Messaging > - Apps: Disable Access to Microphone > - Apps: Disable Access to Motion / Activity > - Apps: Disable Access to Notifications > - Apps: Disable Access to Radios > - Apps: Disable Access to Tasks > - Apps: Disable Access to Text and Image Generation Features ***new*** > - Apps: Disable API Sampling ***new*** > - Apps: Disable App Notifications > - Apps: Disable Application Footprint ***new*** > - Apps: Disable Application Telemetry > - Apps: Disable Background Applications > - Apps: Disable Continue Experiences > - Apps: Disable Install Tracing ***new*** > - Apps: Disable Location Access Override > - Apps: Disable Phone Calls on this Device > - Apps: Disable Push To Install > - Apps: Disable Screenshot Border Settings > - Apps: Disable Silent Installed Apps > - Apps: Disable Sync With Unpaired Devices > - Apps: Disable Voice Activation > - Apps: Prevent Apps From Taking Screenshots > - Apps: Disable Compatibility Scan for Backed Up Applications ***new*** > [!NOTE]- Windows Defender > - Defender: Disable Windows Defender Cloud Protection > - Defender: Disable Windows Defender Sample Submission > - Defender: Enable Network Protection (Exploit Guard) > [!NOTE]- Edge > > > [!WARNING] > > > > Why are you using Edge? Do you hate yourself? Oh now you're loading up [[Chrome]] because that is all you know? Jesus. Okay, use [[Helium]] instead to replace Chrome. But for a more pleasing aesthetic and enjoyability of use, give [[Zen Browser]] a try. > > > - Edge: Disable 3P SERP Telemetry ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Adobe Acrobat Subscription Button on PDF Viewer > - Edge: Disable AI Writing Assistance > - Edge: Disable AI-Enhanced Search in History ***new*** > - Edge: Disable All Background Types for the New Tab Page Layout > - Edge: Disable Asset Delivery Service > - Edge: Disable Built-in AI APIs ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Copilot ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Copilot Access to Browser Context ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Copilot Extension > - Edge: Disable Customise Sidebar ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Dall-E Themes Generation ***new*** > - Edge: Disable GenAI Local Foundational Model ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Hubs Sidebar > - Edge: Disable Live Video Translation ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Machine Learning Auto-fill Suggestions ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Microsoft News Content on the New Tab Page > - Edge: Disable Microsoft Rewards Experiences > - Edge: Disable Personalization of Ads, Search and News > - Edge: Disable Quick Links on the New Tab Page > - Edge: Disable Recommendations and Browser Assistance Notifications > - Edge: Disable Resolution of Navigation Errors Using a Web Service > - Edge: Disable Scareware Blocker Protection ***new*** > - Edge: Disable Search Suggestions > - Edge: Disable Shopping > - Edge: Disable Speech Recognition > - Edge: Disable Spell Checking Provided by Microsoft Editor > - Edge: Disable Spotlight > - Edge: Disable Startup Boost > - Edge: Disable Suggestion of Similar Pages > - Edge: Disable Suggestions From Local Providers > - Edge: Disable Synchronisation of Data > - Edge: Disable Tab Services > - Edge: Disable Telemetry > - Edge: Disable Text Prediction > - Edge: Disable Thumbnail Images for Browsing History > - Edge: Disable Top Sites From the New Tab Page > - Edge: Disable Trending Suggestions in Address Bar ***new*** > - Edge: Disable User Feedback > - Edge: Disable Website Typo Protection > - Edge: Disable Windows Indexer Access to Local Browsing Data > - Edge: Enable Do Not Track > - Edge: Enable Online OCSP/CRL Checks > - Edge: Hide App Launcher on Microsoft Edge New Tab Page > - Edge: Prevent Websites From Querying for Available Payment Methods > [!NOTE]- Office > > > [!WARNING] > > If you use MS Office products, you'll have to decide which one of these to keep enabled or disable with some trial and error to make sure everything works as it is suppose to. But knowing how interconnected all of these softwares and systems are, disabling one thing can make so many things glitch out, which is why I am not a fan of MS products and opt for using a completely different Word Processor such as [[Libre Office]] or something of the like. > > - Office: Disable Additional Optional Connected Experiences > - Office: Disable AI Training ***new*** > - Office: Disable Connected Experiences > - Office: Disable Connected Experiences That Analyze Content > - Office: Disable Connected Experiences That Download Online Content > - Office: Disable Customer Experience Improvement Program > - Office: Disable Feedback > - Office: Disable First Run Movie > - Office: Disable Get Diagnostics ***new*** > - Office: Disable Help Improve Proofing Tools > - Office: Disable In-Product Surveys > - Office: Disable LinkedIn Features > - Office: Disable Logging in Outlook > - Office: Disable Logging in Word > - Office: Disable OneDrive Personal ***new*** > - Office: Disable OneDrive Sign In > - Office: Disable OneNote Text Prediction ***new*** > - Office: Disable Opt-in Wizard on First Run > - Office: Disable Option to Include Screenshots and Attachments in Feedback > - Office: Disable Research and Translation Features in Visio ***new*** > - Office: Disable Sending Personal Information > - Office: Disable Signing Into Office > - Office: Disable Small Updates to Improve Reliability > - Office: Disable Support Diagnostics in OneNote ***new*** > - Office: Disable Telemetry (1/2) > - Office: Disable Telemetry (2/2) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Agent Logging > - Office: Disable Telemetry Agent Uploads > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Access solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Application-specific add-ins) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Apps for Office) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (COM add-ins) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Excel solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Microsoft Outlook solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Office document files) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Office template files) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (OneNote solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (PowerPoint solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Project solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Publisher solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Visio solutions) > - Office: Disable Telemetry Dashboard (Word solutions) > - Office: Enable File Obfuscation in Telemetry Agent > [!NOTE]- Privacy > - Privacy: Disable Activity Feed > - Privacy: Disable Advanced Gaming Services > - Privacy: Disable Auto Map Download > - Privacy: Disable Autocorrection of Misspelled Words > - Privacy: Disable Biometrics > - Privacy: Disable Clipboard History > - Privacy: Disable Clipboard Synchronization Across Devices > - Privacy: Disable Cloud Consumer Account State Content > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (Business) > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (Creativity) > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (Entertainment) > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (Family) > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (Gaming) > - Privacy: Disable Device Usage (School) > - Privacy: Disable Display of office.com Files in Explorer > - Privacy: Disable Enabling Lock Screen Camera > - Privacy: Disable Experimentation > - Privacy: Disable Facts, Tips, Ticks and More on your Lock Screen > - Privacy: Disable Handwriting Data Sharing > - Privacy: Disable Handwriting Error Reporting > - Privacy: Disable Hardware Keyboard Word Suggestions > - Privacy: Disable Help Make Narrator Better > - Privacy: Disable Highlighting of Misspelled Words > - Privacy: Disable Inventory Collector > - Privacy: Disable KMS Client Online Validation > - Privacy: Disable Location > - Privacy: Disable Message Service Cloud Sync > - Privacy: Disable Multilingual Text Prediction > - Privacy: Disable Notifications on the Lock Screen > - Privacy: Disable OneDrive > - Privacy: Disable OneDrive Network Traffic Pre-User SignIn > - Privacy: Disable OneSettings Downloads > - Privacy: Disable Online Speech Recognition > - Privacy: Disable Password Reveal Button > - Privacy: Disable Publishing of User Activities > - Privacy: Disable Reminders and Voip Calls on Lock Screen > - Privacy: Disable Remote Assistance Connections to This Computer > - Privacy: Disable Retrieving Device Metadata > - Privacy: Disable Search History on This Device > - Privacy: Disable Sending Writing Info > - Privacy: Disable Sensors > - Privacy: Disable Setting Sync > - Privacy: Disable Share Across Devices > - Privacy: Disable SmartScreen-Filter for URLs > - Privacy: Disable Software Keyboard Word Suggestions > - Privacy: Disable Steps Recorder > - Privacy: Disable Tailored Experience using Diagnostic Data > - Privacy: Disable Taskbar Chat Button > - Privacy: Disable Telemetry > - Privacy: Disable Tips about Windows > - Privacy: Disable Typing Insights > - Privacy: Disable Upload of User Activities > - Privacy: Disable Widgets > - Privacy: Disable Widgets Board ***new*** > - Privacy: Disable Widgets on Lock Screen ***new*** > - Privacy: Disable WiFi Sense > - Privacy: Disable Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program > - Privacy: Disable Windows Feedback Requests > - Privacy: Disable Windows Media DRM Internet Access > - Privacy: Disable Windows Spotlight on Desktop > - Privacy: Disable Windows Spotlight on Lock Screen > - Privacy: Limit Diagnostic Log Collection > - Privacy: Limit Dump Collection > - Privacy: Remove “Ask Copilot” From Context Menu ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Edit with Clipchamp” From Context Menu ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Edit with Notepad” From Context Menu ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Edit with Paint” From Context Menu ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Edit with Photos” From Context Menu ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Gallery” from Explorer Navigation Pane ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “Home” from Explorer Navigation Pane ***new*** > - Privacy: Remove “OneDrive” from Explorer Navigation Pane ***new*** > - Privacy: Show Detailed Data Usage > - Privacy: Turn Off Microsoft Consumer Experiences > [!NOTE]- Search > > > [!WARNING] > > Because careful with this one as you may have gotten used to using the builtin search functionality for quickly finding files and or programs that you want to look up and use. I have completely different solutions for something like this that are way more enjoyable to use but takes a small amount of setup. It is also possible to stop the indexing feature entirely which helps with performance, and gets replace by something like [[Everything]] search tools by [Void Tools](https://www.voidtools.com/) > > - Search: Disable and Reset Cortana > - Search: Disable Cloud Search > - Search: Disable Getting to know me > - Search: Disable Highlights > - Search: Disable Web Search > [!NOTE]- Start > > > [!WARNING] > > This is a good one to disable as it can be very good for privacy, especially if you are a streamer, because if you also work from home on the same machine, the last thing you want is your last edited files to be showing up on whatever applications giving away client information and names on stream. > > The downside is you have to be on top of your game with organisation so that you can find the files you need as quickly as possible. My recommendation is getting [[Everything]] search working and get familiar with it, so that you can quickly find the file you need and have the program open directly into the file instead of using the in-application 'Open File' dialog. > > > - Start: Disable Recommendations for Tips, Shortcuts, New Apps > - Start: Disable Recommended Section > - Start: Disable Website Recommendations in Recommended Section > - Start: Do Not Show Account-Related Notifications > - Start: Do Not Show Recently Added Apps > - Start: Do Not Show Recently Opened Applications > - Start: Do Not Show Recently Opened Files > [!NOTE]- Updates > > > [!WARNING] > > This is a must if you don't like random updates happening and changing things on you without consent. But this means on a weekly basis you'll have to drop into the Windows Updates screen to checkout which updates are available and do a quick search to see which ones are introducing new 'insane' features and what are considered security updates. This also helps with if a particular patch breaks everything, you know you can delay that update for as long as you can until they have fixed their issues. > > - Updates: Disable Automatic Driver Update > - Updates: Disable Automatic Speech Model Updates > - Updates: Disable Automatic Windows Store Updates > - Updates: Disable Automatic Windows Updates > - Updates: Disable Malicious Software Removal Tool via Windows Update > - Updates: Disable Windows Update Sharing