Disable participation in Visual Studio Customer Experience Improvement Program (VSCEIP)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables participation in the Visual Studio Customer Experience Improvement Program (VSCEIP), enhancing your privacy and system performance.

Previously, VSCEIP was known as PerfWatson in Visual Studio 1. It collects information about errors, hardware specifications, and usage patterns in Visual Studio 1 2. This data includes crashes, memory dumps, errors, stack traces, CPU and memory usage, interaction telemetry, and other diagnostic data 2. The collected information is sent to Microsoft servers for analysis 1 2.

By default, VSCEIP data collection is enabled when Visual Studio is installed. This means unless you actively opt out, Microsoft will collect and analyze your usage data.

By disabling VSCEIP, this script enhances your privacy by preventing Visual Studio from sending your usage data to Microsoft. It also improves system performance by reducing background data collection and transmission.

Technical Details

The script modifies registry keys for Visual Studio versions from 2015 to 2022 3:

Version	Product
14.0	Visual Studio 2015
15.0	Visual Studio 2017
16.0	Visual Studio 2019
17.0	Visual Studio 2022

It sets the OptIn value to 0 in the following registry paths:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE[\Wow6432Node]\Microsoft\VSCommon\<Version>\SQM 2
• HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM (for Group Policy enabled users) 2

The script modifies both 32-bit and 64-bit paths, except for Visual Studio 2022, which is 64-bit only 4.

By default, Visual Studio 2022 (last tested on version 17.10.5 on Windows 11 23H2) sets the OptIn value to 1, meaning the user is opted in to the program. This script changes that value to 0, opting the user out 2.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable Visual Studio data collection

This action belongs to Disable Visual Studio data collection category. These scripts disable future local and cloud data collection by Visual Studio about you and your behavior. These do not clean existing data collected about you locally or on cloud servers. Read more on category page ▶

Configure programs

This action belongs to Configure programs category. This category configures Windows using 111 scripts. These scripts are organized in 22 categories. The category includes 5 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. 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: Disable participation in Visual Studio Customer Experience Improvement Program (VSCEIP).
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

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\17.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\17.0\SQM'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\17.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\VisualStudio\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /f 2>$null"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\14.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\15.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\16.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\17.0\SQM!OptIn"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VSCommon\17.0\SQM' /v 'OptIn' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"

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