James Harper
How To Disable These Windows 11 Settings Right Now
If Windows 11 feels a bit sluggish, cluttered with ads, or just kinda invasive, it might be time to tweak some settings. Honestly, a lot of these options are turned on by default, and not everyone wants their system tracking every move or draining the battery with background apps. This guide walks through some straightforward steps to tighten up privacy, cut down on unnecessary background activity, and make your Windows run a bit leaner. Not a miracle fix, but should help squeeze out some extra stamina and privacy.
How to Fix Privacy and Performance Bloat in Windows 11
Method 1: Disable Ad Tracking
This one’s kinda weird, but Windows loves to track app usage for personalized ads, which is annoying and not really necessary if you’re trying to keep things private. Turning it off helps prevent silent data collection and might stop those weirdly targeted ads.
- Right-click on the Start menu icon or press Windows key + X to open the quick menu.
- Pick Settings.
- Navigate to Privacy & security in the sidebar.
- Click on General. Here’s where Windows likes to keep the sneaky stuff enabled by default.
- Find the toggle for “Let apps show me personalized ads” and turn it off. This stops Windows from silently tracking your app activity for ad purposes.
On some setups, this might feel like a tiny fix, but it actually cuts down on some data sharing. Just keep in mind, sometimes the toggle doesn’t seem to stick right away — a reboot can help, weirdly enough.
Method 2: Stop Background Apps Draining Battery
Background apps are notorious battery hogs, especially if you have a bunch running without you noticing. Managing them can give a pretty noticeable boost to battery life and system responsiveness.
- Open Settings via the Start menu or Windows + I.
- Go to Apps, then click on Installed apps.
- Pick an app that’s notorious for eating your battery—like Skype or Discord—and click on it.
- Tap on Advanced options—this is where Windows lets you limit or disable background activity.
- Under Background apps permissions, choose Never if you want zero background runs. On some rigs, you’ll find the “Power optimized” option helps balance resources better.
This is pretty effective, especially on laptops. On some machines, disabling background apps might cause a slight hiccup in notifications or updates, but that’s manageable for most.
Method 3: Turn Off Location Services
Location data isn’t a huge deal for some, but if you’re privacy-conscious, turning it off can save battery and prevent apps from knowing where you are. It also reduces targeted ads triggered by your whereabouts.
- Back in Settings, click on Privacy & security.
- Scroll down to find Location.
- Switch off the Location service. If you want to keep it on but limit apps, you can manage permissions for each app below.
This can be a game-changer on some devices, especially if you rarely use location-dependent apps. Keep in mind, some apps might need location to work correctly, so choose when to disable with a bit of judgment.
Method 4: Cut Down on Microsoft Data Collection
Windows sends diagnostic data back to Microsoft, and not everyone’s keen on that. Disabling or restricting this keeps things more private and might even shave a little off system overhead.
- In Settings, again head over to Privacy & security.
- Click on Diagnostics & feedback.
- Here, disable the toggle for Mandatory diagnostic data, or set it to the minimal option if available. Some options like “Send optional diagnostic data” can also be turned off for better privacy.
In my experience, this is kinda hit-and-miss — sometimes Windows resets these options after updates — but it’s worth a shot. Keeps the ISP or Microsoft from getting a full view of everything you do.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
Also consider:
- Regularly check for system updates — security patches and stability fixes matter.
- Think about installing legit third-party privacy tools if you want even more control.
- Watch out during app installs — always review permissions and avoid blindly clicking “Allow.”
Basically, a little housekeeping and privacy awareness can make a difference.
Wrap-up
These tweaks might not turn your Windows into a fortress overnight, but they do tighten things up and can improve battery life and system speed somewhat. Windows is kinda good at sneaking features in without calling too much attention, so taking a manual approach is often needed. If this process gets even one person a bit more privacy or extra juice, mission accomplished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert these changes if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Windows settings are generally reversible. Just go back to each toggle or permission and turn it on again if you find you miss certain features or info sharing.
Will disabling background apps and location mess with my apps?
Kinda, yeah. Some apps rely on background access or location to function correctly — like navigation or messaging apps. Keep an eye on app behavior afterward, and tweak permissions if necessary.
Is turning off diagnostics safe?
For the most part, yes — you’re limiting data sent to Microsoft, which boosts privacy. But, you’ll miss out on personalized fixes or feedback, and some update features might take a hit. It’s a trade-off worth considering if privacy is a bigger concern than the latest Windows diagnostics.