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Disable "Malicious Software Reporting Tool" diagnostic data

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script prevents Microsoft's Malicious Software Reporting Tool (MSRT) from transmitting diagnostic data.

Malicious Software Reporting Tool is a component of the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) 1. The MSRT is designed to detect and remove specific, prevalent malware from Windows computers 2. The tool is integrated into Defender Antivirus 3. It's also downloaded and run automatically by Windows Update in the background 2.

This tool raises significant privacy concerns:

  • It continuously sends data to Microsoft 3.
  • Microsoft is reported to share the data from this tool with government agencies, including police, to track citizens 1 2 4.
  • Since August 2016 (version 5.39), the tool sends a Heartbeat Report to Microsoft each time it runs, even when the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) is turned off 5. A heartbeat report is a small packet of data sent regularly to inform Microsoft that the tool is active and functioning.

Disabling the diagnostic data transmission affects:

  • Privacy: Enhances user privacy by preventing Microsoft from collecting and sharing data from MSRT.
  • System Performance: May slightly improve system performance by reducing background network activity.
  • Security: May slightly reduce Microsoft's ability to track and respond to malware threats. However, the core antivirus functionality stays intact.

Technical Details​

This reporting occurs even when the DiagTrack service is disabled 5.

Users can verify the MSRT's reporting behavior by examining the log file at %SYSTEMROOT%\debug\mrt.log 5.

This script configures HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT!DontReportInfectionInformation registry key to halt this data sharing with Microsoft 3 5 6.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

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.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Defender data collection category. This category features scripts designed to reduce or eliminate data collection by Defender. Disabling these features enhances privacy by limiting the information shared with Microsoft. Although Microsoft Defender offers security benefits, it also collects data for analysis, service improvement,... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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 script name: Disable "Malicious Software Reporting Tool" diagnostic data.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT!DontReportInfectionInformation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT' /v 'DontReportInfectionInformation' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT!DontReportInfectionInformation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT' /v 'DontReportInfectionInformation' /f 2>$null"

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