Disable Windows search data collection
Overview
This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This category is dedicated to minimizing the personal data collected and utilized by Windows Search and Cortana. It encompasses a range of scripts designed to curtail data sharing and bolster user privacy. These scripts are crucial for preventing the search function from transmitting sensitive information such as search history, account details, and location data to Microsoft's servers.
The Windows search functionality, often integrated with Cortana 1, is a key feature that allows for data collection through various means. This includes gathering user searches, contacts, location data, voice inputs, browsing history, and details from emails, calendars, and communication history 2.
The voice data thus collected aids in refining language understanding and machine learning models 2. Furthermore, Cortana's use of location data provides contextually relevant answers and suggestions, often estimating the user's location via their IP address 2. This feature extends to web browsing as well, where Cortana utilizes Microsoft Edge browsing history for personalized suggestions 2.
Contacts, calendar details, and email information are also accessed by Cortana to track and offer tailored suggestions 2 Additionally, when signed in, chat history with Cortana is retained, and typed searches are transmitted to Bing for enhanced recommendation quality, even when Cortana is not actively in use 2.
By using the scripts in this category, users can significantly enhance their privacy and security. These scripts enable users to control the extent of their personal data used by Windows, thereby ensuring a more secure and private search experience.
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
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Language: batch
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Scripts Count: 29 scripts
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Subcategories: 5
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Required Privileges: Administrator rights
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Compatibility: Windows only
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Reversibility: All changes can be reverted
Apply now
These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
Choose one of two ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- 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.
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
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the category name:
Disable Windows search data collection. - Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
- 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:
Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.
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.
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:
Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:
Strict
This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.
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:
Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:
Explore further
This category includes total of 29 scripts and 5 subcategories.
Explore its 4 subscripts and 3 subcategories:
Disable Cortana data collection
This category targets the reduction of Cortana's data collection practices. Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, integrates deeply with Windows Search to provide personalized assistance based on user data. By disabling Cortana's data collection features, this category aims to enhance user privacy by preventing the sharing of sensitive information with Microsoft. The scripts within this category provide users with the tools to limit Cortana's reach into their personal data, thereby fostering a...
Disable privacy-invasive indexing
This category is dedicated to preventing privacy-invasive indexing features within Windows. Indexing can include details from emails, documents, and other files that may contain sensitive information. Scripts in this category limit the exposure of personal data through search functionalities. By controlling what and how information is indexed, these scripts help in protecting user privacy against potential data breaches or unauthorized access.
Disable search suggestions
This category focuses on enhancing privacy by disabling various search suggestions in Windows, commonly associated with Cortana. Cortana is a digital assistant integrated into Windows Search, capable of collecting extensive personal data to provide its services. This includes your search queries, contact information, location, voice inputs, browsing history, and details from emails, calendars, and communication history. These scripts are designed to limit the amount of personal data shared with ...
Disable search's access to location
This script blocks both the Windows search function and Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant, from accessing your device's location data. By default, Microsoft processes location data, impacting user privacy. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service advises restricting access to this data to improve security, given the sensitivity of location information. Once this script is applied, search and Cortana will no longer be able to provide results based on the user's location, thus enhancing privacy. The...
Disable local search history (breaks recent suggestions)
This disables the storage and display of search history in Windows. When executed, the script prevents the operating system from storing search queries in the registry. Consequently, suggestions based on previous searches will no longer appear in the search pane. However, suggestions based on local content from apps or Windows itself will remain available. The National Security Agency (NSA) in the USA recommends this setting for enhanced privacy and security. By default, Windows provides search ...
Disable sharing personal search data with Microsoft
This script enhances privacy by limiting what search information is shared with Bing. By default, Search in Windows shares user information, including search history, Microsoft account details, and location data, to personalize search results and other Microsoft services. Executing this script ensures that search history, account details, or specific location data are not sent to Microsoft. Applicable to Windows 8.1 and later, this script is a key privacy measure. It is recommended by the US Dep...
Disable personal cloud content search in taskbar
This script disables the integration of personal cloud content in the taskbar search box. By default, Windows Search can access and display results from various Microsoft cloud services, including OneDrive, Outlook, Bing, SharePoint for both personal Microsoft accounts and work or school accounts. This means your personal and work-related files stored on Microsoft's cloud platforms can be searched through the Windows Search interface. While this feature increases convenience, it also poses priva...
Explore Categories
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 ▶
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