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Disable census data collection

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 Windows Census.

Windows Census is a component that collects device configuration data 1. This configuration data includes your operating system, region, language, and hardware architecture 2. Microsoft uses this data to determine which updates are appropriate for your system 3.

Disabling Census enhances privacy by preventing the collection and transmission of device data to Microsoft 1 2 3. However, this may affect Windows' ability to provide tailored updates.

Safe for General Use

This category is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

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.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Disable census data collection.
  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​

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

Explore further​

This category includes total of 3 scripts but no subcategories.

Explore its 3 scripts:

Disable "Device" task

This script disables the "Device" scheduled task. According to the Task Scheduler, this task triggers the execution of the "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\devicecensus.exe SystemCxt" command in Windows 10 and 11. This component collects device and configuration data, which is then sent to Microsoft. By disabling this task, users can prevent this specific data collection process, enhancing their privacy. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Device Information\\Device": | OS Version ...

Disable "Device User" task

This script disables the "Device User" scheduled task. According to the Task Scheduler, this task triggers the execution of the "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\devicecensus.exe UserCxt" command in Windows 10 and 11. This component collects device and configuration data, which is then sent to Microsoft. By disabling this task, users can prevent this specific data collection process, enhancing their privacy. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Device Information\\Device User": | OS Versi...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Windows telemetry and data collection category. This category configures Windows using 17 scripts. These scripts are organized in 4 categories. The category includes 4 subscripts and 3 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

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