[Windows 10 Tip] Disable Data Collection and Telemetry in Windows Defender

The most popular and talked about feature of Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 10 is the data collection and telemetry. There is no doubt that Windows 10 is the best Windows version released ever and it comes with so many new features and enhancements. Also its faster and more reliable than any previous Windows version.

But people are worried about their privacy and automatic collection and sending of data to Microsoft. Although Microsoft has made it clear several times that the data is collected anonymously and only some basic data is collected to improve the operating system functionality and to make it better.

To help Windows 10 users in improving their privacy, Microsoft has provided several options in Settings app which can be customized to stop automatic data collection and telemetry in Windows 10. We have also posted a detailed guide to get best privacy settings in Windows 10 which can be found at following link:

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[Guide] Best Privacy Settings for Windows 10

Today in this article, we are going to cover a built-in program in Windows 10 which deserves a separate article for it. The program we are talking about is Windows Defender, Microsoft’s official antivirus and anti-spyware/malware program for Windows operating system.

Windows_Defender_Windows_10.png

Windows Defender provides antivirus and anti-spyware protection to Windows 10 users so you don’t need to use any extra security software in Windows 10. But there are a few options in Windows Defender which automatically sends some user data to Microsoft. Fortunately you can customize those options to turn off the sending of data to Microsoft.

So if you are using Windows 10 and Windows Defender program and want maximum privacy, you can disable these telemetry options to stop automatic data sending to Microsoft.

For your convenience, we have divided this tutorial in following 4 parts:

  • PART 1: Turn Off Telemetry Options Using Settings App
  • PART 2: Turn Off Automatic Sample Submission to Microsoft Using Group Policy
  • PART 3: Turn Off Automatic Sample Submission to Microsoft Using Registry Editor

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

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PART 1: Turn Off Telemetry Options Using Settings App

Microsoft automatically collects some sample files from Windows Defender to improve the antivirus and anti-malware protection and to make Windows Defender better. Microsoft also collects information about suspicious items found by Windows Defender in your computer to provide cloud-based protection.

You can disable both these features to stop automatic sending of any data or file samples to Microsoft using following steps:

1. Open Start Menu and click on Settings option. It’ll open Settings app. Alternatively, you can direct open Settings app using WIN+I hotkey.

2. Now click on “Update & security” icon and in Windows Defender tab, set following two options to Off:

  • Get better, faster protection by sending Microsoft info about potential security problems Windows Defender finds – Off
  • Help us make Windows Defender better by sending Microsoft samples so we can improve our anti-virus and malware measures. Turn this off to be prompted before sending samples to Microsoft- Off

Disable_Cloud_Protection_Sample_Submission_Windows_Defender.png

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:windowsdefender” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

That’s it. Now Windows 10 will not send info about security problems and will always prompt you before sending samples to Microsoft.

PART 2: Turn Off Automatic Sample Submission to Microsoft Using Group Policy

Turning off the second option “Automatic sample submission” as mentioned above doesn’t disable the automatic sending of sample data to Microsoft. It just sets the sending option to always prompt before sending. So in other words, Windows Defender will still continue sending samples to Microsoft but after your approval.

If you want to completely disable this automatic sample submission feature in Windows Defender, you can use following method:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type gpedit.msc in RUN and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.

2. Now go to:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender -> MAPS

3. In right-side pane, double-click on “Send file samples when further analysis is required” option, set it to Enabled and then select “Never send” from the drop-down box. Apply the changes.

Disable_Windows_Defender_MAPS_Samples_Options.png

4. You can also double-click on “Join Microsoft MAPS” option, set it to Enabled and then select “Disabled” from the drop-down box. Apply the changes. It’ll opt you out of MAPS (Microsoft Antimalware Protection Service).

Close Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

PART 3: Turn Off Automatic Sample Submission to Microsoft Using Registry Editor

If you are using Windows 10 Home edition, you’ll not be able to run gpedit.msc command because this edition doesn’t come with Group Policy Editor.

If you can’t use or don’t want to use Group Policy Editor, you can take help of Registry Editor for the same task. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit in RUN and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

3. Create a new key under Windows Defender key and set its name as Spynet

4. Now in right-side pane, create new DWORD SubmitSamplesConsent and set its value to 2

5. Again create a new DWORD SpynetReporting and set its value to 0

Disable_Windows_Defender_Telemetry_Options.png

That’s it. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to take effect. Now Windows Defender will no longer send any sample data to Microsoft.

NOTE: If you are not familiar with Registry editing tasks, we are also providing ready-made Registry script to do the task automatically. Download following ZIP file, extract it and run .REG file. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it:

The ZIP file also contains Registry script to restore default Windows Defender options.

Also Check:

[Tip] Remove “Scan with Windows Defender” Option from Context Menu in Windows 10

[Windows Tip] How to Disable Windows Defender Permanently

Do You Need to Worry About Privacy in Windows 10? Answer is NO

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Hi VG, my Explorer seems won’t keep setting. I check “Always show icons never thumbnails” in folder options view. It works as normal, but when i restart my PC, it revert to default, it displays thumbnails rather than icons and box in folder option view became uncheck again. The same goes to libraries, i disabled it yet it keep appearing after PC reboot. Any workaround? Win10 Pro x64 latest build and updated.

  2. Hey,

    When I press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box and attempt to run gpedit.msc, I get a dialogue box saying Windows cannot find ‘gpedit.msc’. Please help.

    Thanks,
    Shameon

  3. Part 1: Cloud Protection & Auto Sample Submission no longer located where described as of more recent Win10 versions.

    To locate:

    – Open Start / Press Win Key and type Run, then enter “ms-settings:windowsdefender” into the Run/Open edit-box.

    – Click the “Open Windows Defender Security Center” box.

    – Open the “Virus & Threat Protection” tab in the security centre

    – Click on the “Virus & threat protection settings” option

    You have reached your destination 🙂

    I swear, MS hates giving over any control to users, so when they finally provide an option to do something after enough people have complained about the need for it, they just bury said option somewhere else on the next release update. Hope this helps somebody.

  4. I’ve been having so much fun reading and implementing these walkthroughs.
    Already on my 8th article and just found a long list I’ll jump onto on a daily basis until I’m completely satisfied with my Windows 10 build.

    Thanks! ^___^

  5. I had already configured these settings, though Win10 has moved in the registry to “Microsoft Defender” no longer exists entry “Windows Defender”. Regardless, the Defender alerts reappear every month or so.

    Once again Microsoft overriding user preferences without consent.

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