How to Change Device Usage Settings in Windows 11

You change device usage settings in Windows 11 to control what data Microsoft collects about how you interact with your PC and to manage your connected hardware.

Device usage settings allow Windows 11 to learn from your activities, offering personalized tips and suggestions. Bluetooth & Devices settings, on the other hand, let you manage physical peripherals like printers, keyboards, and smartphones.

By adjusting these settings, you can tailor your Windows 11 experience, potentially reducing targeted advertisements and enhancing your privacy.

For instance, disabling diagnostic data collection can limit the information Windows 11 shares about your PC’s performance and usage patterns.

How to change device usage settings

You can manage these preferences through the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by clicking Start and selecting Settings.

2. In the Settings menu, click on Personalization in the left sidebar.

3. Look for the Device usage tile on the right side and click it to open the menu.

4. You will see a list of categories like Gaming, Family, or Business. Toggle the switch to On or Off for each category based on your preference.

Note: These changes apply to your specific user profile. No administrative privileges are required to modify these settings.

Managing Hardware with Bluetooth & Devices

The Bluetooth & devices section is where you manage your physical hardware configuration. This is different from usage settings because it controls how your computer talks to external tools.

• Bluetooth: Toggle this to connect wireless headphones or speakers.
• Printers & Scanners: Add or remove printing devices here.
• Phone Link: Sync your mobile device to see texts and photos on your PC.
• Autoplay: Choose what happens when you plug in a USB drive or memory card.
• Pen & Windows Ink: Customize how your digital pen works on your screen.

To add a new device, click Add device at the top of the Bluetooth & devices menu. Follow the on-screen prompts to pair your hardware.

Data Privacy and Usage

Does changing device usage settings affect my privacy? Yes. When you enable these settings, Windows collects data about your habits to improve system optimization. If you prefer to keep your activity private, you should turn these toggles off. You can also visit the Privacy & security tab in Settings to manage broader data sharing permissions.

Summary

Managing your Windows 11 device settings gives you control over both your privacy and your hardware. Use Personalization > Device usage to adjust how Windows suggests content to you. Use Bluetooth & devices to manage your peripherals. Both menus are easy to navigate and require no special permissions to update.

Related Topics

• Understanding Privacy Settings in Windows 11
• Optimizing System Performance
• How to Connect Wireless Peripherals