Disable program data collection and reporting ("ProgramDataUpdater")
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script disables the "ProgramDataUpdater" scheduled task. This component collects and transmits Application Telemetry information for participants in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program 1.
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 2 and Argentine 3 governments.
Microsoft acknowledges this task as non-essential, explaining that its deactivation improves system reliability and performance by preventing possible degradation 1 4. It highlights that the task's deactivation will not adversely affect other users and services, reinforcing its non-critical nature 1.
Running this script prioritizes privacy by reducing telemetry data sent to Microsoft. This choice comes without any notable drawbacks 1, thereby ensuring enhanced privacy and security.
Overview of default task statuses
\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater
:
OS Version | Default status |
---|---|
Windows 10 22H2 | 🟢 Ready |
Windows 11 22H2 | 🟡 N/A (missing) |
Windows 11 23H2 | 🟡 N/A (missing) |
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.
Implementation Details
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Language: batch
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Required Privileges: Administrator rights
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Compatibility: Windows only
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Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script
Explore Categories
- Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks)
- Disable Application Experience data collection
- Disable OS data collection
This action belongs to Disable background application compatibility checks (Application Experience scheduled tasks) category. 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.... Read more on category page ▶
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 ▶
This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. This category configures Windows using 153 scripts. These scripts are organized in 33 categories. The category includes 14 subscripts and 13 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- 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.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Disable program data collection and reporting (
ProgramDataUpdater)
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
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.
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Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
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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.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
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Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Disable scheduled task(s): `\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$taskPathPattern='\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\'; $taskNamePattern='ProgramDataUpdater'; Write-Output "^""Disabling tasks matching pattern `"^""$taskNamePattern`"^""."^""; $tasks = @(Get-ScheduledTask -TaskPath $taskPathPattern -TaskName $taskNamePattern -ErrorAction Ignore); if (-Not $tasks) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, no tasks matching pattern `"^""$taskNamePattern`"^"" found, no action needed."^""; exit 0; }; $operationFailed = $false; foreach ($task in $tasks) { $taskName = $task.TaskName; if ($task.State -eq [Microsoft.PowerShell.Cmdletization.GeneratedTypes.ScheduledTask.StateEnum]::Disabled) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, task `"^""$taskName`"^"" is already disabled, no action needed."^""; continue; }; try { $task | Disable-ScheduledTask -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully disabled task `"^""$taskName`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to disable task `"^""$taskName`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; $operationFailed = $true; }; }; if ($operationFailed) { Write-Output 'Failed to disable some tasks. Check error messages above.'; exit 1; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Restore scheduled task(s) to default state: `\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$taskPathPattern='\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\'; $taskNamePattern='ProgramDataUpdater'; $shouldDisable = $false; Write-Output "^""Enabling tasks matching pattern `"^""$taskNamePattern`"^""."^""; $tasks = @(Get-ScheduledTask -TaskPath $taskPathPattern -TaskName $taskNamePattern -ErrorAction Ignore); if (-Not $tasks) { Write-Warning ( "^""Missing task: Cannot enable, no tasks matching pattern `"^""$taskNamePattern`"^"" found."^"" + "^"" This task appears to be not included in this version of Windows."^"" ); exit 0; }; $operationFailed = $false; foreach ($task in $tasks) { $taskName = $task.TaskName; if ($shouldDisable) { if ($task.State -eq [Microsoft.PowerShell.Cmdletization.GeneratedTypes.ScheduledTask.StateEnum]::Disabled) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, task `"^""$taskName`"^"" is already disabled, no action needed."^""; continue; }; } else { if (($task.State -ne [Microsoft.PowerShell.Cmdletization.GeneratedTypes.ScheduledTask.StateEnum]::Disabled) -and ($task.State -ne [Microsoft.PowerShell.Cmdletization.GeneratedTypes.ScheduledTask.StateEnum]::Unknown)) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, task `"^""$taskName`"^"" is already enabled, no action needed."^""; continue; }; }; try { if ($shouldDisable) { $task | Disable-ScheduledTask -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully disabled task `"^""$taskName`"^""."^""; } else { $task | Enable-ScheduledTask -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully enabled task `"^""$taskName`"^""."^""; }; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to restore task `"^""$taskName`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; $operationFailed = $true; }; }; if ($operationFailed) { Write-Output 'Failed to restore some tasks. Check error messages above.'; exit 1; }"
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