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Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This category focuses on disabling scheduled tasks related to Application Experience. These tasks aim to improve user experience by identifying compatibility issues with older software and boosting application performance. However, they also collect and transmit telemetry data to Microsoft. Disabling them can optimize system performance, reduce unwanted data collection, and lower security risks.

To view all the scheduled tasks related to Application Experience, you can use the following PowerShell command:

@('\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\*') `
    | ForEach-Object { Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName '*' -TaskPath $_ -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue } `
    | ForEach-Object { Write-Host "$($_.TaskPath)$($_.TaskName)" }
Caution: Mixed Risk Levels

Be careful running these scripts. This category includes scripts with high impact:

  • 🟡 Some recommended scripts only if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this this category.
  • 🟢 Some safely recommended scripts. Safe-to use for any user.
Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Scripts Count: 6 scripts

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: All changes can be reverted

Apply now​

These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

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

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

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

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application. Additionally, you can apply only the recommended scripts, instead of applying all of the scripts.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks).
  3. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

You can choose to apply only scripts with less impact or also those with higher impact:

Standard

Recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

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Strict

Recommended if you understand its implications. It may cause some non-critical features to no longer function correctly.

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Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

Standard​

This script includes only Standard recommendation level.

Safe for General Use

Standard scripts in this category is recommended for all users. They help to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Download only standard scripts by clicking on the button:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Strict​

This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.

Use with Caution

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

Download Strict scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 6 scripts but no subcategories.

Explore its 6 scripts:

Disable program data collection and reporting ("ProgramDataUpdater")

This script disables the "ProgramDataUpdater" scheduled task. This component collects and transmits Application Telemetry information for participants in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program. Running this script improves privacy and security by limiting data transmission, making it suitable for high-security environments. Recommendations to disable or delete this task have been voiced by both the Polish and Argentine governments. Microsoft acknowledges this task as non-essential...

Disable application usage tracking ("AitAgent")

This script disables the "AitAgent" scheduled task. "AitAgent" is a task that is part of the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program, which aggregates and uploads Application Telemetry information if the user has opted in. This task is part of Application Experience as per its registry location ("Microsoft\\Windows\\Application Experience\\AitAgent") and VMWare's documentation. Governments of various countries, including Argentina and the United States (via VMWare), recommend disabling th...

Disable startup application data tracking ("StartupAppTask")

This script disables the "StartupAppTask" scheduled task. This task checks auto-start programs at boot-up and alerts if there are excessively many. By disabling this task, you can speed up your computer's startup time and reduce unnecessary data collection. Microsoft itself suggests turning it off to optimize system performance and reduce data collection. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Application Experience\\StartupAppTask": | OS Version | Default status | | ------...

Disable software compatibility updates ("PcaPatchDbTask")

This script disables the "PcaPatchDbTask" scheduled task. "PcaPatchDbTask" is responsible for periodically updating a specific database that tracks software known to have compatibility issues. When users run a program listed in this database, Windows' Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) will notify them and suggest a solution to address the compatibility problem the next time the program is started. By keeping this database updated, the PCA can consistently recognize and remedy compatibility c...

Disable compatibility adjustment data sharing ("SdbinstMergeDbTask")

This script disables the "SdbinstMergeDbTask" scheduled task. The 'SdbinstMergeDbTask' task merges pending shim application compatibility databases, as described in Task Scheduler (Windows 11 22H2), facilitating the running of older software on newer Windows versions. According to Task Scheduler (Windows 11 22H2), the task utilizes the "sdbinst.exe" tool. This tool is known as the "Application Compatibility Database Installer". It is part of the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT). It allows...

Disable application backup data gathering ("MareBackup")

This script disables the "MareBackup" scheduled task. According to the Task Scheduler, this task gathers Win32 application data for backups. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\CompatTelRunner.exe". Although this task is intended for backup and system reliability, some users may prefer limiting the amount of data collected by Windows, thus enhancing their privacy. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Application Experience\\MareBackup": | OS Version | Default status | | --...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Application Experience data collection category. Application Experience comprises services and tasks that help applications, including older ones, run smoothly. These components collect and send telemetry data to Microsoft, potentially impacting user privacy. Scripts under this category aim to enhance user privacy, data protection, and protect... Read more on category page ▶

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