Disable census data collection
- 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.
- 3 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 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.
Sources
- Monitor connection health - Configuration Manager. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/desktop-analytics/monitor-connection-health
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231017234102/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/desktop-analytics/monitor-connection-health#census-data-collection - What is Device Census? - Microsoft Community. (2023).
Original: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-is-device-census/6f0b9f58-86b6-4e36-8fc8-4701218b49b6
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231017234118/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-is-device-census/6f0b9f58-86b6-4e36-8fc8-4701218b49b6 - Update to Windows 10 Version 1703, Version 1607, Version 1511, and Version 1507 for update applicability: March 15, 2018 - Microsoft Support. (2023).
Original: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-to-windows-10-version-1703-version-1607-version-1511-and-version-1507-for-update-applicability-march-15-2018-3aad1c66-2b88-c012-4623-dee1410891ad
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231017234127/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-to-windows-10-version-1703-version-1607-version-1511-and-version-1507-for-update-applicability-march-15-2018-3aad1c66-2b88-c012-4623-dee1410891ad
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 census data collection" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
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Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Shows the code
- Free
- Open-source
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- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable census data collection" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the category name: Disable census data collection
- Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
- 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
- 3 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 "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: Windo...
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 Versio...
Disable device and configuration data collection tool
This script prevents the execution of "devicecensus.exe", also known as the "device and configuration data collection tool". This tool is located at "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\DeviceCensus.exe" and is responsible for gathering data used for compatibility updates. Disabling this tool helps keeping the device's data private and preventing its usage for diagnostic collections or determining update applicability.
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About the Creators
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- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
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- 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.