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Block remote configuration sync hosts

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script blocks specific hosts used by applications, such as "System Initiated User Feedback" and the "Xbox" app 1 2, to dynamically update their configuration 1 2

These endpoints play a crucial role in remotely configuring diagnostics-related settings and data collection 3. For instance, they allow for the remote blocking of events being sent back to Microsoft or enrolling a device in the Windows diagnostic data processor configuration 3.

Blocking these hosts can enhance your privacy by preventing certain data from being collected and sent to Microsoft.

Caution

Using this script might disrupt the normal operation of applications that depend on syncing their configurations online, leading to potential functionality issues 1.

Blocked Hosts​

The blocked hosts are:

  • settings-win.data.microsoft.com 1 2 3 4 5
  • settings.data.microsoft.com 1 2 5

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Block tracking hosts category. This category includes scripts that enhance privacy by blocking communications with hosts known for tracking and data collection. A host is a domain name serving as an address for a computer or resource on the Internet. These hosts are often used by software applications, operating systems,... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Block remote configuration sync hosts.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Add hosts entries for settings-win.data.microsoft.com
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='settings-win.data.microsoft.com'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FileSystemCmdletProviderEncoding]::Utf8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output "^""Creating a new hosts file at $hostsFilePath."^""; try { New-Item -Path $hostsFilePath -ItemType File -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully created the hosts file."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing addition for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = Get-Content -Path "^""$hostsFilePath"^"" -Raw -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ((-Not [String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents)) -And ($hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry already exists.'; continue; }; try { Add-Content -Path $hostsFilePath -Value $hostsEntryLine -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully added the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to add the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
:: Add hosts entries for settings.data.microsoft.com
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='settings.data.microsoft.com'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FileSystemCmdletProviderEncoding]::Utf8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output "^""Creating a new hosts file at $hostsFilePath."^""; try { New-Item -Path $hostsFilePath -ItemType File -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully created the hosts file."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing addition for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = Get-Content -Path "^""$hostsFilePath"^"" -Raw -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ((-Not [String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents)) -And ($hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry already exists.'; continue; }; try { Add-Content -Path $hostsFilePath -Value $hostsEntryLine -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully added the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to add the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Remove hosts entries for settings-win.data.microsoft.com
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='settings-win.data.microsoft.com'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output 'Skipping, the hosts file does not exist.'; exit 0; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing removal for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = [System.IO.File]::ReadAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileEncoding); } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file for removal. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ([String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents) -Or (-Not $hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry not found.'; continue; }; $hostsEntryRemovalPattern = [regex]::Escape($hostsEntryLine) + "^""(\r?\n)?"^""; $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval = $hostsFileContents -Replace $hostsEntryRemovalPattern, "^"""^""; try { [System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval, $hostsFileEncoding); Write-Output 'Successfully removed the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
:: Remove hosts entries for settings.data.microsoft.com
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='settings.data.microsoft.com'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output 'Skipping, the hosts file does not exist.'; exit 0; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing removal for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = [System.IO.File]::ReadAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileEncoding); } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file for removal. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ([String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents) -Or (-Not $hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry not found.'; continue; }; $hostsEntryRemovalPattern = [regex]::Escape($hostsEntryLine) + "^""(\r?\n)?"^""; $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval = $hostsFileContents -Replace $hostsEntryRemovalPattern, "^"""^""; try { [System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval, $hostsFileEncoding); Write-Output 'Successfully removed the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"

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