Disable sending device name in Windows diagnostic data

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
  This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
  This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
• Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
• 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 enhances privacy by ensuring that the name of your device is anonymized in any diagnostic data collected by Microsoft Desktop Analytics ¹. In other words, instead of your actual device name, "Unknown" will appear in the data ¹.

Since the release of Windows 10, version 1803, the device name is not included in the diagnostic data by default ¹. This script guarantees that this privacy-enhancing measure remains in place ¹.

When implemented, it changes a specific registry setting, AllowDeviceNameInTelemetry, which controls whether the device name is included in Windows diagnostic data ². The script sets this value to 0, thus disabling the inclusion of the device name in the data ².

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

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.

• Enroll devices in Desktop Analytics - Configuration Manager. Microsoft Docs. (2022).
  Original: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/mem/configmgr/desktop-analytics/enroll-devices
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220903043346/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/mem/configmgr/desktop-analytics/enroll-devices#device-name
• Allow device name to be sent in Windows diagnostic data. (2021).
  Original: https://admx.help
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20210228151919/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.DataCollection::AllowDeviceNameInDiagnosticData

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

Apply protection

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable sending device name in Windows diagnostic data" 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 sending device name in Windows diagnostic data" 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 sending device name in Windows diagnostic data
   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

Apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection!AllowDeviceNameInTelemetry"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection'; $data =  '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection' /v 'AllowDeviceNameInTelemetry' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

Revert

Restore changes

Ijo6IERlbGV0ZSB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTT0ZUV0FSRVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93c1xcRGF0YUNvbGxlY3Rpb24hQWxsb3dEZXZpY2VOYW1lSW5UZWxlbWV0cnlcIlxuUG93ZXJTaGVsbCAtRXhlY3V0aW9uUG9saWN5IFVucmVzdHJpY3RlZCAtQ29tbWFuZCBcInJlZyBkZWxldGUgJ0hLTE1cXFNPRlRXQVJFXFxQb2xpY2llc1xcTWljcm9zb2Z0XFxXaW5kb3dzXFxEYXRhQ29sbGVjdGlvbicgL3YgJ0FsbG93RGV2aWNlTmFtZUluVGVsZW1ldHJ5JyAvZiAyPiRudWxsXCIi

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable sending device name in Windows diagnostic data" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Command Prompt
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

View step-by-step guide with screenshots

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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

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

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  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
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• Open-Source Contributors

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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
  • Audited and verified using automated security tests

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
  • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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