Easily enable and disable Windows Features that compromise your privacy in one location with Optimizer App.
Want to protect your privacy by hiding your information from Microsoft? Windows 11 operating system is very good at collecting personal information as much as possible. By default it provide access to your information, usage patterns, issues faced while using the system, etc. Hide your information and protect your privacy as much as you want with Optimizer App.
Optimizer app is the easiest application that can be used to disable features and services that expose your privacy on Windows 11 without going deep in settings and options. Optimizer is a free and open-source application developed to enhance privacy of Windows. Download this application using below download link.
| Name: | Optimizer |
| Version: | v16.7 |
| Last Updated: | 12th January, 2025 |
| Size: | 2.5MB |
| Security: | safe |
| Platform: | Windows(7,8,8.1,10 & 11) |
| License: | free | open source |
Optimize Windows 11 for privacy
First download and install Optimizer app from above download link. Then open it and go to “Windows 11” section from the top navigation. There you will see “Privacy” section with options. Check all the options. It will automatically disable Windows features and services to protect your privacy while enabling below options.
Lets go through each and every option.
Disable Telemetry Services
This service is used to send information about your computer to Microsoft. Those information is used to improve user experience by reducing the issues, improving functionalities, improving performance, etc. System performance, app usage history, errors, device health, browser history, search queries, location, etc. are some of the information accessed by Windows Telemetry services. Enable this feature to stop sharing your information with the Windows telemetry services.
Disable Cortana
Cortana does not available on newest Windows 11 versions. If you do have disable it and prevent accessing your search history, search queries, etc. by Cortana application. No need to select this option if your Windows does not have Cortana application.
Enhance Privacy
This feature will disable several features that uses your information including Biometrics, Geolocation, Share apps across devices, Text Logger, Diagnostics, etc.
Disable Windows News and Interests
Windows news and interest feature uses your interests and location to show personalized news feed. It does collect your search queries, usage information, location, and etc. to show personalized news. Enable this feature to get rid of news and interests features and the news button on the taskbar.
Disable Windows start menu advertisements
Windows start menu uses your information to show personalized advertisements. It uses your interests, location, etc. to show targeted ads. Enable this feature to disable Windows Start Menu advertisements.
Disable Edge Telemetry Services, SmartScreen and Spotlight
Microsoft Edge web browsers uses your browsing history, search queries, etc. to provide personalized recommendations, ads, etc. SmartScreen feature is used to scan websites, apps, file downloads for malwares. However SmartScreen feature uses your information to provide those security features.
Next is spotlight feature. This feature is used to show personalized wallpapers on the lock screen. Those images are downloaded from the internet based on your preferences. Enable this feature to prevent sharing information with Edge browser, spotlight and SmartScreen.
Disable Edge Discover
This is not a separate app or feature. This feature is available within the Microsoft Edge browser. Edge Discover bar in Edge browser uses AI to show personalized content based on browser history and interests.
