Skip to main content

Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)

Apply Now
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.
  • 6 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 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)" }
Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

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 background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    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 background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)" 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 background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  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​

  • 6 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 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: Windows 10 22H2 → 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: Windows 10 22H2 → Default sta...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Application Experience comprises services and tasks that help applications, including older ones, run smoothly. These components collect and send telemetry data to...
Visit category page

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 automatic system compatibility checks (Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser)

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