Skip to main content

Disable device and configuration data collection tool

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
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • 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.
  • 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 script prevents the execution of devicecensus.exe, also known as the "device and configuration data collection tool" 1. This tool is located at %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\DeviceCensus.exe 1 2 and is responsible for gathering data used for compatibility updates 3. Disabling this tool helps keeping the device's data private and preventing its usage for diagnostic collections or determining update applicability 1 2 3.

Safe for General Use
All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable device and configuration data collection tool" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    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
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable device and configuration data collection tool" 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 script name: Disable device and configuration data collection tool
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  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.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Check and terminate the running process "DeviceCensus.exe"
tasklist /fi "ImageName eq DeviceCensus.exe" /fo csv 2>NUL | find /i "DeviceCensus.exe">NUL && (
    echo DeviceCensus.exe is running and will be killed.
    taskkill /f /im DeviceCensus.exe
) || (
    echo Skipping, DeviceCensus.exe is not running.
)
:: Configure termination of "DeviceCensus.exe" immediately upon its startup
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\DeviceCensus.exe!Debugger"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\DeviceCensus.exe'; $data = '%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\taskkill.exe'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\DeviceCensus.exe' /v 'Debugger' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Add a rule to prevent the executable "DeviceCensus.exe" from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$executableFilename='DeviceCensus.exe'; try { $registryPathForDisallowRun='HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun'; $existingBlockEntries = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore; $nextFreeRuleIndex = 1; if ($existingBlockEntries) { $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Value -eq $executableFilename }; if ($existingBlockingRuleForExecutable) { $existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable = $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable.Name; Write-Output "^""Skipping, no action needed: '$executableFilename' is already blocked under rule index `"^""$existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable`"^""."^""; exit 0; }; $occupiedRuleIndexes = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Name -Match '^\d+$' } | Select -ExpandProperty Name; if ($occupiedRuleIndexes) { while ($occupiedRuleIndexes -Contains $nextFreeRuleIndex) { $nextFreeRuleIndex += 1; }; }; }; Write-Output "^""Adding block rule for `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" under rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $registryPathForDisallowRun)) { New-Item -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Name "^""$nextFreeRuleIndex"^"" -PropertyType String -Value "^""$executableFilename"^"" ` -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully blocked `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" with rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to block `"^""$executableFilename`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
:: Activate the DisallowRun policy to block specified programs from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "try { $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer'; $currentDisallowRunPolicyValue = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore | Select -ExpandProperty DisallowRun; if ([string]::IsNullOrEmpty($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue)) { Write-Output "^""Creating DisallowRun policy at `"^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath)) { New-Item -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; Exit 0; }; if ($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue -eq 1) { Write-Output 'Skipping, no action needed: DisallowRun policy is already in place.'; Exit 0; }; Write-Output 'Updating DisallowRun policy from unexpected value `"^""$currentDisallowRunPolicyValue`"^"" to `"^""1`"^"".'; Set-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -Type DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to activate DisallowRun policy: $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable device and configuration data collection tool" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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.

This category focuses on disabling Windows Census. Windows Census is a component that collects device configuration data. This configuration data includes your ope...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable census 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 "Device" task
Disable "Device User" task

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