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Disable automatic system compatibility checks (Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser)

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data 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.
  • 2 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Administrator rights 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​

This category covers disabling of the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser. This tool checks your computer's software and hardware compatibility with the latest Windows updates, including major upgrades such as Windows 11 1. It scans your system, collecting detailed information about your apps and devices to ensure everything will work smoothly with potential updates 2 3. This process helps Microsoft improve Windows and keep your system running efficiently with the latest features. However, it sends substantial system usage data to Microsoft, raising privacy concerns for some users.

This script optimizes your computer by managing how it prepares for Windows updates. The Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser, designed to check system readiness for new updates, routinely discards saved update data 2. Consequently, your computer must redownload this data during subsequent update checks, consuming significant internet bandwidth 2 and CPU resources 3. Preventing this redundancy, the script reduces internet usage and improves computer performance.

The Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser contributes to Desktop Analytics 2 (formerly Windows Analytics 4), a system that collects and sends Windows diagnostics and app usage data to Microsoft servers 4. This service is unavailable in high-privacy settings such as GCC High or the US Department of Defense 4, highlighting its potential privacy implications. These organizations, known for stringent privacy and security standards, do not utilize Desktop Analytics, suggesting the service's inherent data collection practices may not align with high-privacy protocols.

Despite its utility, Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser can introduce additional vulnerabilities to your system. A known elevation of privilege vulnerability linked with the appraiser allows a configuration file to be susceptible to symbolic link and hard link attacks, also known as the "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability" 5.

By disabling the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser, this category contributes to enhancing your system's privacy by reducing unnecessary data transmission to Microsoft servers, mitigating potential vulnerabilities, and conserving network bandwidth and CPU usage.

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.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable automatic system compatibility checks (Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser)" 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.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable automatic system compatibility checks (Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser)" 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 category name: Disable automatic system compatibility checks (Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser)
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  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.

Explore This Guide​

  • 2 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Disable daily compatibility data collection ("Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" task)

This script disables the "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" scheduled task. The "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" is a default scheduled task in Windows. It collects program telemetry information for participants in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program, and it maintains this data collection across computer reboots. Running at least daily, this task assesses your system's eligibility for Windows 11 upgrades. By disabling this task, the script helps in optimizing computer perfo...

Disable telemetry collector and sender process ("CompatTelRunner.exe")

This script disables "CompatTelRunner.exe", associated with the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser This process runs at least daily from Windows 7 onwards. It collects extensive data, including information about devices, apps, drivers, hardware configurations, and other user engagement details. This data, formerly known as Windows Customer Data, is then sent to Microsoft servers. "CompatTelRunner.exe" is known for high CPU, disk, and network usage, affecting system performance. Disabling it can t...

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Application Experience comprises services and tasks that help applications, including older ones, run smoothly. These components collect and send telemetry data to...
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Same Goal​

Another guide in Disable Application Experience data collection 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)

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