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Where to find the Windows 11 diagnostic data setting
Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback. The page uses the current Required and Optional labels, although you may still see Basic or Full in older material.
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If the control is unavailable or Windows says some settings are managed by your organization, a workplace policy may determine the choice. Ask your IT department before changing settings on a managed device. Microsoft Support explains the setting and its management.
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Required: the minimum level
Required data covers information about the device, its settings and capabilities, and whether it is working properly. Microsoft describes it as the minimum needed to help keep Windows reliable, secure, and operating normally. It is used for purposes such as update readiness and delivery, compatibility, reliability, and troubleshooting.
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Optional: additional device and usage detail
Optional includes Required data plus additional details about the device, its settings, capabilities, and health. Depending on what is collected, it may include app activity, usage, browsing-related information, enhanced error reports, and memory state from the time an app or system crashes. Microsoft cautions that memory data could unintentionally include parts of a file that was open when the problem occurred.
Microsoft says some Optional data is sampled from only a small percentage of devices. The Diagnostic Data Viewer can show whether a device is in a sample and which data is collected from it. The specific items may change as Microsoft’s troubleshooting needs change, so the categories listed in its guidance should not be read as a promise that every item is collected from every user or device.
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Which setting should you choose?
| Choice | What it means | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Minimum data Microsoft says is needed for Windows reliability, security, and normal operation. | Users who prefer to minimize optional sharing. |
| Optional | Required data plus additional device and usage details that Microsoft says can help it identify and fix problems and improve products. | Users comfortable sharing more diagnostic detail to contribute to troubleshooting and product improvement. |
This is a preference decision, not a security switch. Microsoft Support says: “Regardless of whether you choose to send Optional diagnostic data, your device will be just as secure and will operate normally.” The practical tradeoff is whether the potential troubleshooting benefit of more detail is worth the additional collection to you.
Diagnostic data is separate from other Windows privacy settings
Personalized offers
Personalized offers is a separate control. Microsoft says it may use Windows diagnostic data, account information, and information from other Microsoft products to personalize tips, ads, and recommendations. When Optional data is enabled, personalization may also use app and feature usage and additional device-health information. Microsoft says crash-dump contents, speech, typing, and inking input are not used to personalize offers. See Microsoft’s guidance on Recommendations & offers in Windows 11.
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App diagnostics
App diagnostics does not control Windows diagnostic-data sending. It governs whether apps can access limited information about other running apps, such as app names, package names, account names, and process or memory information. Microsoft describes this separate permission in its Windows app diagnostics and privacy guidance.
Edge diagnostic data in the EEA
Microsoft’s guidance says that, as of March 6, 2024, Edge diagnostic data is collected separately from Windows diagnostic data on Windows 11 version 23H2 and newer in the European Economic Area (EEA). Edge has its own settings there. This distinction is limited to that region and those Windows versions.
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How to view or delete diagnostic data
The Diagnostic Data Viewer shows data available while the viewer is running; it is not a history of all diagnostic data. The Windows Delete diagnostic data control does not stop future sending and does not delete diagnostic data associated with a Microsoft account. Microsoft directs users to its privacy dashboard to view and delete additional data associated with an account. Current steps and details are on Microsoft’s Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy in Windows page.
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