Introduction
Windows 11 ships with a wealth of convenience features, but many of those conveniences come with hidden data collection. A Windows Central guide outlines 14 simple tweaks that dramatically reduce the amount of information Microsoft receives from your PC.
If you’re looking for a more privacy‑first operating system, you’ll also hear a lot about Linux. Because its architecture, licensing model, and community‑driven development differ fundamentally from Microsoft’s approach, many privacy‑conscious users find Linux a more transparent and controllable alternative.
Below we walk through the Windows 11 privacy checklist, then compare the resulting privacy posture with what Linux typically offers.
Part 1 – 14 Windows 11 Tweaks That Instantly Boost Privacy
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Setting to Adjust
How to Change It
What It Stops
1
Find My Device
Settings → Privacy & Security → Find My Device → toggle Off Stops periodic transmission of your device’s GPS/Wi‑Fi location to Microsoft.2
Advertising ID
Settings → Privacy & Security → General → “Allow apps to show customized ads using my advertising ID” → Off Prevents apps from building a profile for targeted advertising.3
Location Services
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location → toggle Off (or limit per‑app) Blocks Windows and apps from accessing GPS, Wi‑Fi, or Bluetooth‑derived location data.4
Speech & Inking Personalisation
Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows permissions → Speech and Inking & typing personalization → Off Disables online speech recognition and stops Microsoft from storing the words you type for AI‑driven suggestions.5
Diagnostics & Feedback
Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & feedback → set Diagnostic data to Required (or Basic) and turn Tailored experiences off Reduces the volume of telemetry sent to Microsoft.6
Activity History
Settings → Privacy & Security → Activity history → uncheck “Store my activity history on this device” and “Send my activity history to Microsoft” Stops Windows from logging app usage and uploading it to the cloud.7
Background Apps
Settings → Apps → Installed apps → disable any apps you don’t need running in the background Limits silent data uploads from apps that run when you’re not actively using them.8
Sync Settings
Settings → Accounts → Sync your settings → turn Off (or selectively disable items) Prevents personal configuration (themes, passwords, etc.) from being stored on Microsoft’s servers.9
Cloud Content in Search
Settings → Privacy & Security → Search permissions → disable “Search online and include web results” Keeps your search queries local to the device.10
Personalized Tips
Settings → Privacy & Security → Device usage → turn all toggles Off Stops Windows from showing “tips” that act as micro‑advertising.11
Automatic Error Reporting
Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & feedback → disable “Automatically send error reports” Avoids sending crash dumps and logs to Microsoft.12
Microsoft Account Integration
After initial setup, switch to a local account or remove the Microsoft account via Settings → Accounts Reduces cross‑device data aggregation tied to your Microsoft identity.13
OneDrive / Cloud Backups
Review OneDrive sync settings or use a local backup solution Limits automatic uploading of personal files to Microsoft’s cloud.14
Full System Backup Before Changing
Create a backup (e.g., via Windows Backup or a third‑party tool) before applying the above changes Guarantees you can revert if a tweak interferes with a needed function.These adjustments collectively “hard‑enforce” privacy on Windows 11, turning off most of the telemetry, location tracking, and profiling mechanisms that are enabled by default.
Part 2 – Why Linux Is Considered a More Private Alternative
Aspect
Linux (Typical Distribution)
Windows 11 (Even After Tweaks)
Source‑code transparency Kernel and most system components are open‑source; anyone can audit the code for backdoors or unwanted data collection. Closed‑source; users must trust Microsoft’s statements about data handling. Telemetry defaults Minimal or optional telemetry (e.g., Ubuntu’s opt‑in “pop‑con”). Users can easily disable the few services that report usage. Telemetry services are enabled by default; disabling them requires navigating many separate settings (the 14‑step checklist). Package management Signed repositories; updates are cryptographically verified, reducing the risk of malicious binaries. Mix of Microsoft Store, third‑party installers, and auto‑updates that can pull from varied, sometimes less‑controlled sources. Permission granularity Modern desktop environments (GNOME, KDE) allow per‑application permissions for camera, microphone, location, etc., enforced by sandboxing. Permissions are scattered across “Privacy & Security” panels; some settings affect many apps simultaneously. User isolation Each user runs under a distinct UID/GID; administrative (root) privileges are required for system changes, encouraging the principle of least privilege. Many Windows users operate with administrator rights for routine tasks, expanding the attack surface. Patch cadence Vulnerabilities are disclosed publicly; patches are typically released within days by the community and distro maintainers. Microsoft’s “Patch Tuesday” schedule can leave non‑enterprise machines waiting longer for critical fixes. Customizability Entire desktop environment, window manager, or init system can be swapped, allowing a minimal, privacy‑focused footprint. Core components (telemetry services, update mechanism) cannot be removed without deep system modification. Data sovereignty You can run Linux entirely offline or on self‑hosted servers, guaranteeing data never leaves your premises. Even with privacy tweaks, Windows still contacts Microsoft’s servers for activation, updates, and optional services.Bottom line: Linux gives you full visibility and control over what code runs on your machine and what data leaves it. Windows 11, while configurable, starts from a more data‑collecting baseline and requires multiple manual steps to approach a comparable privacy level.
Part 3 – Putting It All Together
If you’re comfortable staying within the Windows ecosystem, applying the 14 tweaks from Windows Central will significantly shrink the data surface area, you’ll stop location broadcasting, curb telemetry, and eliminate most personalized ads.
However, if you prefer an operating system where privacy is baked into the design rather than bolted on after installation, Linux offers a transparent, auditable, and highly customizable platform. Switching to Linux eliminates the need for a long checklist because the default installations already prioritize minimal data collection.
Which path is right for you?
- Stay with Windows 11 if you rely heavily on Microsoft‑specific software (Office, Teams, Xbox integration) and are willing to spend a few minutes configuring privacy settings.
- Move to Linux if you value open‑source transparency, want granular permission control out of the box, or need to keep data strictly on‑premises.
Either way, taking control of your digital footprint starts with awareness—knowing which settings matter and how they affect the data you share.
Quick Checklist for Readers
- Windows 11 users: Follow the 14‑step privacy guide from Windows Central.
- Linux newcomers: Choose a beginner‑friendly distro like Linux Mint and review its privacy documentation.
- Both: Keep regular backups, stay updated, and periodically review permission settings.