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Windows 11 Device usage asks how you plan to use your PC so Microsoft can tailor tips, recommendations, and ads. Microsoft says it does not share Device usage data with third parties. That statement applies to this feature’s data—not to every Windows setting, Microsoft service, app, or website.
What the Device usage setting records
Device usage is a set of choices about how you intend to use the PC, not a detailed log of everything you do in a selected category. Microsoft lists development, gaming, family, creativity, school, entertainment, and business as examples. The setting’s stated purpose is to tailor Windows tips, recommendations, and personalized ads based on those choices.
For example, Microsoft says a development choice may lead to a Dev Home suggestion; gaming may prompt Xbox Game Pass or gamer-oriented app and site recommendations; and a family choice may lead to a family-group setup suggestion. Other examples include creativity suggestions, OneDrive for school files, entertainment app and site suggestions, and a Microsoft 365 Business trial. These are examples, not a promise that every user will see each offer. Microsoft does not describe selecting “Gaming,” for example, as enabling a record of all gameplay or browsing.
Where to change it
Open Settings > Personalization > Device usage and turn the relevant choices on or off. Microsoft says you can change or opt out of these choices at any time. If the labels or location differ after a Windows update, search Settings for “Device usage.” A work- or school-managed PC may limit which options you can change.
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What Microsoft says about sharing Device usage data
Microsoft Support’s “Personalize Your Windows Experience With Device Usage Settings” says: “We don’t share this data with third-party.” The word “this” matters: the statement concerns Device usage data as described on that page. It does not establish that other Windows data flows, Microsoft services, apps, or websites never collect or share information.
Device usage is different from diagnostic data
Windows diagnostic data is a separate data flow. Microsoft distinguishes required diagnostic data from optional diagnostic data. Required data includes information about the device, its settings and capabilities, and whether Windows is operating properly. Optional data may add information about websites browsed, device activity or usage, enhanced error reporting, and crash memory state. Microsoft notes that crash memory can unintentionally include parts of a file that was in use when a problem occurred.
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Required diagnostic data is included when optional data is selected. Microsoft says Windows remains secure and operates normally when only required diagnostic data is sent. It describes diagnostic data as supporting security and updates, troubleshooting, reliability, performance, compatibility, accessibility, privacy, and energy efficiency.
Reviewing and deleting diagnostic data
Under Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback, you can review diagnostic-data controls and find the option to delete diagnostic data. Microsoft cautions that deleting it there does not remove data associated with a Microsoft account or stop further data from being sent. The Diagnostic Data Viewer can show diagnostic data available while the viewer is running; it does not show a history of previously sent data. Microsoft’s Windows diagnostic data documentation describes the categories and controls.
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Personalized offers have a separate control
Microsoft’s Windows 11 Recommendations & offers documentation describes a setting called Get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations based on my Windows activity. When it is on, Microsoft says it may use device and usage information—including Windows diagnostic data—along with account information and information from other Microsoft products and services. Examples include Edge web activity when the relevant collection is enabled, use of Bing, Microsoft 365, Xbox, and MSN, subscription and purchase history, and information from third-party websites that may be shared with Microsoft.
Microsoft says required diagnostic data used for offers may include device information, settings, capabilities, and whether the device is performing properly. With optional diagnostic data enabled, personalization may also use app and feature usage and additional device-health information. Some personalization can happen locally without data leaving the device. Microsoft says it does not use crash-dump content, speech, typing, or inking input data to personalize offers. These descriptions apply to Personalized offers, not every Windows feature.
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On newer Windows versions, Personalized offers is replacing the older Tailored experiences label. If your PC shows different wording, it may be on an older update or subject to an organization’s policy. Look under Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback for related controls; organizational management can change what is available.
Other Windows privacy controls are not Device usage
Several settings can affect personalization or information access, but they have their own scopes and controls. Turning off Device usage alone does not switch off these separate features.
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| Feature | What it concerns | Where to review it |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising ID | A separate identifier for each user on a device that apps using it can access for their own advertising. Turning it off does not reduce the number of ads and does not cover website-cookie ads or ads in other products. | Settings > Privacy & security > General |
| Start and search personalization | Separate controls cover app-launch tracking used to personalize Start and search, suggested content in Settings, and website access to the user’s language list. | Settings > Privacy & security; review the relevant General and Search permissions options |
| Activity history | Activities such as apps and services used, files opened, and websites browsed. Microsoft describes this history as stored locally on the device; this is distinct from diagnostic data sent to Microsoft. | Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history |
| App permissions | Access to capabilities such as location, camera, microphone, contacts, and calendar. Microsoft cautions that privacy permission lists mostly apply to Store apps; desktop applications may access some data differently or may not appear there. | Settings > Privacy & security > App permissions |
Microsoft’s Windows 11 privacy and recommendations guidance, Activity history documentation, and app permissions guidance explain these controls. The settings are not a single master tracking switch: each concerns different information, purposes, and exceptions.
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