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34 docs tagged with "disable-windows-search-data-collection"

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Disable Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)

This script improves privacy by disabling Bing search in the Start menu and recent search suggestions in File Explorer. By default, Windows 10's Search Box includes suggestions from the Internet, alongside local search results. This script limits the search results to your local machine, improving privacy by not sending data to Microsoft servers. The script: Stops Bing web search integration in the Start menu. • Disables recent search suggestions in File Explorer. • Prevents search entries from ...

Disable Bing search in start menu

This script disables the Bing search integration in the Windows Start menu search function. In Windows, typing in the Start menu search box displays results from the web via Bing, in addition to local search results. By preventing the search function from sending queries to Microsoft servers, this script enhances user privacy and optimizes system performance by reducing the search workload. Running this script prevents such web searches by modifying the `HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVe...

Disable Cortana activity history

This category focuses on preventing Cortana from storing and displaying user interaction history. When enabled, Cortana collects data on user activities, such as interactions with the assistant and search queries, to personalize the user experience. This collection can be a privacy concern as it involves the retention and potential analysis of personal behavior patterns. By disabling this feature, users can prevent their activity history from being used for customization or other purposes, there...

Disable Cortana data collection

This category targets the reduction of Cortana's data collection practices. Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, integrates deeply with Windows Search to provide personalized assistance based on user data. By disabling Cortana's data collection features, this category aims to enhance user privacy by preventing the sharing of sensitive information with Microsoft. The scripts within this category provide users with the tools to limit Cortana's reach into their personal data, thereby fostering a...

Disable Cortana experience

This script configures Windows using Batch (batchfile).It can be restored. It runs ":: Set the registry value:...".

Disable Cortana voice listening

This category is designed to stop Cortana from listening for voice commands. By default, Cortana can actively listen for voice input, which may include capturing and processing speech patterns and potentially sensitive spoken content. This capability raises privacy issues as voice data is often processed and stored remotely. Disabling Cortana's voice listening features ensures that conversations or background noises are not inadvertently recorded or analyzed, providing users with a greater level...

Disable enabling of Cortana

This script configures Windows using Batch (batchfile).It can be restored. It runs ":: Set the registry value:...".

Disable iFilters and protocol handlers

This script enhances the security of Windows Desktop Search by restricting the use of iFilters and protocol handlers. These components enhance Windows search capabilities by enabling the indexing of specific file types and the processing of various file protocols. By default, Windows Desktop Search can use any installed iFilters and protocol handlers, which might pose a security risk if untrusted components are used. The script configures the system to only use iFilters and protocol handlers tha...

Disable local search history (breaks recent suggestions)

This disables the storage and display of search history in Windows. When executed, the script prevents the operating system from storing search queries in the registry. Consequently, suggestions based on previous searches will no longer appear in the search pane. However, suggestions based on local content from apps or Windows itself will remain available. The National Security Agency (NSA) in the USA recommends this setting for enhanced privacy and security. By default, Windows provides search ...

Disable personal cloud content search in taskbar

This script disables the integration of personal cloud content in the taskbar search box. By default, Windows Search can access and display results from various Microsoft cloud services, including OneDrive, Outlook, Bing, SharePoint for both personal Microsoft accounts and work or school accounts. This means your personal and work-related files stored on Microsoft's cloud platforms can be searched through the Windows Search interface. While this feature increases convenience, it also poses priva...

Disable privacy-invasive indexing

This category is dedicated to preventing privacy-invasive indexing features within Windows. Indexing can include details from emails, documents, and other files that may contain sensitive information. Scripts in this category limit the exposure of personal data through search functionalities. By controlling what and how information is indexed, these scripts help in protecting user privacy against potential data breaches or unauthorized access.

Disable remote access to search index

This disables remote access to the search index of your computer. By executing this script, other computers will no longer be able to query your computer's search index remotely. This means that when others are browsing network shares on your computer, they cannot use its index for searching. By default, without this script, client computers can search using the host's index, which might pose a privacy concern. Implementing this change is crucial for maintaining both the privacy and security of ...

Disable search suggestions

This category focuses on enhancing privacy by disabling various search suggestions in Windows, commonly associated with Cortana. Cortana is a digital assistant integrated into Windows Search, capable of collecting extensive personal data to provide its services. This includes your search queries, contact information, location, voice inputs, browsing history, and details from emails, calendars, and communication history. These scripts are designed to limit the amount of personal data shared with ...

Disable search's access to location

This script blocks both the Windows search function and Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant, from accessing your device's location data. By default, Microsoft processes location data, impacting user privacy. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service advises restricting access to this data to improve security, given the sensitivity of location information. Once this script is applied, search and Cortana will no longer be able to provide results based on the user's location, thus enhancing privacy. The...

Disable sharing personal search data with Microsoft

This script enhances privacy by limiting what search information is shared with Bing. By default, Search in Windows shares user information, including search history, Microsoft account details, and location data, to personalize search results and other Microsoft services. Executing this script ensures that search history, account details, or specific location data are not sent to Microsoft. Applicable to Windows 8.1 and later, this script is a key privacy measure. It is recommended by the US Dep...

Disable web results in Windows Search

This script improves your privacy by disabling the display of web results in the Windows Search function. This prevents your search terms from being sent to Microsoft servers. By default, the Windows Start menu Search box shows results from your computer, the Windows Store, and Bing's web search results. This default behavior means your queries are shared with Microsoft, which could impact your privacy. Running this script stops the Start menu search from performing web searches and displaying w...

Disable web search in search bar

This script disables the ability to perform web searches directly from the Windows Desktop Search By executing this script, searches made from the desktop will be restricted to local content, omitting results from the web. Without this script, Windows Desktop Search includes web results by default, utilizing the user's default web browser and search engine. This script configures "HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Windows Search!DisableWebSearch" registry key. "DisableWebSearch" is not re...

Disable Windows search highlights

This script disables the search highlights feature in the taskbar search box. By default, search highlights present content like holidays, anniversaries, and other special events, both globally and regionally. This feature, available since Windows 10 and 11 version 2004, periodically updates with content, including illustrations and text in the search box. However, using search highlights can impact your privacy. This feature is even considered a security vulnerability. It reduces privacy by com...