Disable "Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)" feature

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: MinimumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Low
  This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
• Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
• 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

This script disables the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) feature in Windows ¹.

The purposes include:

• Enhances privacy by stopping the continuous monitoring and data collection by PCA. The PCA monitors applications run by the user ¹.
• Users gain more control over their system by manually managing application compatibility issues. When a potential compatibility issue with an application is detected, the PCA will prompt the user with recommended solutions ¹.
• Potentially avoids the automatic changes made by PCA that might introduce security risks.
• It increases the system performance. Microsoft recommends turning off the PCA can be useful for those who require better performance and are already aware of application compatibility issues ¹.

This script modifies a specific registry key (HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat!DisablePCA) to turn off the PCA ¹. As a result, users will not receive automatic solutions to known compatibility issues when running applications ¹, ensuring that they have control over the solutions they apply.

By default, if you do not run this script or disable PCA manually, the PCA will be turned on ¹.

Once this script is executed and PCA is turned off, the user won't be presented with solutions to known compatibility issues when running applications ¹.

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.

• ADMX_AppCompat Policy CSP - Windows Client Management. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-appcompat
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230924112733/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-appcompat#appcompatturnoffprogramcompatibilityassistant_2

Apply Now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable "Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)" feature" using script

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 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 "Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)" feature" 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 "Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)" feature
   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

Apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat!DisablePCA"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat'; $data =  '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat' /v 'DisablePCA' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

Revert

Restore changes

Ijo6IERlbGV0ZSB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTT0ZUV0FSRVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93c1xcQXBwQ29tcGF0IURpc2FibGVQQ0FcIlxuUG93ZXJTaGVsbCAtRXhlY3V0aW9uUG9saWN5IFVucmVzdHJpY3RlZCAtQ29tbWFuZCBcInJlZyBkZWxldGUgJ0hLTE1cXFNPRlRXQVJFXFxQb2xpY2llc1xcTWljcm9zb2Z0XFxXaW5kb3dzXFxBcHBDb21wYXQnIC92ICdEaXNhYmxlUENBJyAvZiAyPiRudWxsXCIi

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable "Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)" feature" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Command Prompt
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

View step-by-step guide with screenshots

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1. 1

   Open Command Prompt

   Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. 2

   Copy code

   Copy the code:

   Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
3. 3

   Paste & run

   Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

   Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

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  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
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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
  • Audited and verified using automated security tests

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
  • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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