Privacy and Security Enable or Disable Store Activity History on Device in Windows 11


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Activity_History_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable storing activity history on this device for your account or all users in Windows 11.

Activity history helps keep track of the things you do on your device, such as the apps and services you use, the files you open, and the websites you browse. Your activity history is stored locally on your device, and if you’ve signed in to your device with a Microsoft account or work or school account and given your permission, Windows sends your activity history to Microsoft. Microsoft uses the activity history data to provide you with personalized experiences (such as ordering your activities based on duration of use) and relevant suggestions (such as anticipating what your needs might be based on your activity history).

Reference:


Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Store Activity History on Device for Current User in Settings
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Store Activity History on Device for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Three: Enable or Disable Store Activity History on Device for All Users using REG file




Option One

Turn On or Off Store Activity History on Device for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Privacy & security on the left side, and click/tap on Activity history on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Store_activity_history_on_this_device_Settings-1.png

3 Turn On (default) or Off Store my activity history on this device for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Store_activity_history_on_this_device_Settings-2.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Store Activity History on Device for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Three to configure the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > OS Policies

Store_activity_history_on_this_device-gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of OS Policies in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow publishing of User Activities policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.

5 Enable Store Activity History on Device

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Store_activity_history_on_this_device-gpedit-2.png

6 Disable Store Activity History on Device

This will disable and prevent using Option One.


A) Select (dot) Disabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Store_activity_history_on_this_device-gpedit-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Three

Enable or Disable Store Activity History on Device for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable Store Activity History on Device

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_Store_activity_history_on_this_device.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"PublishUserActivities"=-

3 Disable Store Activity History on Device

This will disable and prevent using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_Store_activity_history_on_this_device.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"PublishUserActivities"=dword:00000000

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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