Set the Windows Telemetry / Diagnostic Data Level via Registry
Limit the diagnostic data Windows sends to Microsoft by setting the AllowTelemetry policy value to 1 (required) in the registry.
Run reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f to lock the level to Required, or /d 0 for the Enterprise-only "off" level.
01Command
Command
$ reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f && reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry02What it does
Windows diagnostic data has four levels: 0 (off), 1 (required), 2 (enhanced), 3 (optional). Setting the policy value under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection overrides the slider in Settings and is how admins — and privacy-conscious users — enforce a floor. Level 0 is only honored on Enterprise/Education editions; on Pro and Home the effective minimum is 1. Deleting the value removes the override and returns control to the Settings slider.
03Risk
!Warning: This edits HKLM and needs an elevated prompt; also apply it under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection if you need the classic two-key setup. Extremely aggressive telemetry blocking tools can break Windows Update and Store sign-in.
04Undo
Undo
$ reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry /f05Sources
- Configure Windows diagnostic data in your organizationEvidence: Documents the AllowTelemetry policy value under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DataCollection with levels 0-3 and their edition requirements.
Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings