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For most personal Windows 11 users who want to limit optional data sharing, choose Required diagnostic data. Microsoft says Windows remains just as secure and operates normally at this level. Choose Optional if you are willing to share additional device and usage details to help Microsoft troubleshoot problems and improve its products.
“Basic” and “Full” are older labels. Windows 11 and Microsoft’s current guidance use Required and Optional, respectively.
What is the difference between Required and Optional diagnostic data?
| Setting | What it sends | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Required (formerly Basic) | Information about the device, its settings and capabilities, and whether it is working properly. | The minimum Microsoft says it needs to help keep Windows reliable, secure, and operating normally. It supports update readiness and delivery, compatibility, reliability, and troubleshooting. |
| Optional (formerly Full) | Required data plus additional device, settings, capability, and health details. Depending on collection, this may include app activity and usage, browsing-related information, enhanced error reporting, and memory state when an app or system crashes. | The additional detail may help Microsoft identify and fix problems more quickly and improve Windows and related products. |
Optional does not mean that every listed type of information is collected from every device. Microsoft says it samples some Optional data from a small percentage of devices, and that the specific items collected can change as troubleshooting needs change. Memory data may unintentionally include parts of a file that was in use when a crash occurred. Microsoft Support explains the diagnostic data categories and collection.
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Choose Required if you want to minimize optional sharing
Required is a reasonable default for a privacy-focused personal user. It provides the minimum diagnostic data Microsoft says it needs for Windows reliability, security, and normal operation. Microsoft Support states: “Regardless of whether you choose to send Optional diagnostic data, your device will be just as secure and will operate normally.”
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Choose Optional if you accept more collection to contribute troubleshooting detail
Optional is voluntary. Pick it if you are comfortable sending more information about device health and usage in exchange for contributing extra detail that Microsoft says can help it troubleshoot issues and improve products. Consider that some possible data types, such as crash-time memory information, may contain sensitive content.
Follow your organization’s policy on a managed PC
If the setting is unavailable or Windows says some settings are managed by your organization, a workplace policy may control it. Contact your IT department rather than trying to override the setting.
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How to change the diagnostic data setting
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Find the diagnostic data control and select the available level: Required or Optional.
Microsoft’s support instructions use these current labels. Interface wording may change between Windows updates. If your device is managed, the control may be set by your organization. See Microsoft’s Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy in Windows guidance.
Other privacy settings in Diagnostics & feedback
Personalized offers are a separate choice
The Personalized offers setting is distinct from choosing Required or Optional diagnostic data. Microsoft says it may use Windows diagnostic data, account information, and information from other Microsoft products to personalize tips, ads, and recommendations. When Optional data is enabled, personalization may also use app and feature usage and additional device-health information. Microsoft says crash-dump contents, speech, typing, and inking input are not used to personalize offers. Microsoft describes the Recommendations & offers privacy settings.
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App diagnostics controls app access to information about other apps
App diagnostics is not the Windows diagnostic-data level. It controls whether apps can access limited information about other running apps, such as app names, package names, account names, and process or memory information. Microsoft explains Windows app diagnostics and privacy.
Edge data has a limited regional distinction
Microsoft says that, as of March 6, 2024, Edge diagnostic data is collected separately from Windows diagnostic data on Windows 11 version 23H2 and newer in the European Economic Area. Edge has its own settings there. This distinction applies to that version and region, not necessarily to other Windows editions or locations. Microsoft’s Windows diagnostics guidance provides this qualification.
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Can you view or delete diagnostic data?
The Diagnostic Data Viewer shows data available while the viewer is running; it is not a history of all diagnostic data. Microsoft says the Delete diagnostic data control does not stop future sending and does not delete diagnostic data associated with a Microsoft account. To view or delete additional data associated with an account, Microsoft directs users to its privacy dashboard.
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