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Disable .NET telemetry

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

.NET, previously known as .NET Core 1, is a free, open-source, and cross-platform developer platform that allows the creation of various types of applications 2.

The .NET Software Development Kit (SDK) includes a telemetry feature, enabled by default 3, that collects and sends usage data to Microsoft upon the execution of .NET Command-Line Interface (CLI) commands. This data comprises your operating system, hardware specifics, geographic location, and .NET usage/installation information 3. A fraction of this collected data is made publicly available at .NET CLI Telemetry Data | dotnet.microsoft.com.

This script sets the DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT environment variable to 1, opting you out of the .NET telemetry collection 3. It is crucial to establish this setting prior to the .NET installation since the installation process also sends telemetry data 3.

Safe for General Use
All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

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Choose one of three ways to apply:

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable .NET telemetry" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable .NET telemetry" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable .NET telemetry
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
variable='DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT'
value='1'
declaration_file='/etc/environment'
if ! [ -f "$declaration_file" ]; then
  echo "\"$declaration_file\" does not exist."
  sudo touch "$declaration_file"
  echo "Created $declaration_file."
fi
assignment_start="$variable="
assignment="$variable=$value"
if ! grep --quiet "^$assignment_start" "${declaration_file}"; then
  echo "Variable \"$variable\" was not configured before."
  echo -n $'\n'"$assignment" | sudo tee -a "$declaration_file" > /dev/null
  echo "Successfully configured ($assignment)."
else
  if grep --quiet "^$assignment$" "${declaration_file}"; then
    echo "Skipping. Variable \"$variable\" is already set to value \"$value\"."
  else
    if ! sudo sed --in-place "/^$assignment_start/d" "$declaration_file"; then
      >&2 echo "Failed to delete assignment starting with \"$assignment_start\"."
    else
      echo "Successfully deleted unexpected assignment of \"$variable\"."
      if ! echo -n $'\n'"$assignment" | sudo tee -a "$declaration_file" > /dev/null; then
        >&2 echo "Failed to add assignment \"$assignment\"."
      else
        echo "Successfully reconfigured ($assignment)."
      fi
    fi
  fi
fi
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable .NET telemetry" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Terminal
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
  1. 1

    Open terminal

    Open your terminal application.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into terminal application and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

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About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process