How to Enable or Disable Diagnostics Access in Windows 11

What is App Diagnostics Access?

App diagnostics access lets applications share performance data with Microsoft so developers can track down bugs and fix crashes.

Diagnostic tools check system health by gathering information about running apps. These tools provide insights into how different applications interact for troubleshooting or performance analysis.

Turning off diagnostic data sharing helps protect your privacy and stops apps from sending diagnostic information to Microsoft.

How to Turn On or Off App Diagnostics Access (Using Settings)

Open the Settings ⚙️ app to turn app diagnostics access on or off in Windows 11. Go to Privacy & security, then select App diagnostics.

1. Open Settings ⚙️: Click the Start menu ⊞ (Windows icon) at the bottom left, then click Settings ⚙️. Or, press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings ⚙️ directly.
2. Go to Privacy & Security: In the Settings ⚙️ window, click Privacy & security on the left side.
3. Find App Diagnostics: Scroll down on the right and click on App diagnostics.
4. Turn On or Off App Diagnostics Access: Use the toggle switch under App diagnostics access to turn it On or Off.
5. Control Access for Current User: If you want to control diagnostics only for your user account, use the toggle for Let apps access diagnostic info about your apps below it.
6. Close Settings: When done, just close the Settings ⚙️ window.

How to Turn On or Off App Diagnostics Access (Using Group Policy Editor)

1. Open Group Policy Editor: ⚠️ Admin privileges required Click the Start menu, type Edit group policy, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Setting: Go to Computer Configuration › Administrative Templates › Windows Components › App Privacy
3. Find the Policy: Double-click Let Windows apps access diagnostic information about other apps.
4. Choose Your Option:

   • Not Configured - Use Windows default settings.
   • Enabled with Force Allow - Turns on diagnostics access for all users.
   • Enabled with Force Deny - Turns off diagnostics access for all users.
   • Disabled - Turns off the policy (similar to Not Configured).
5. Click OK to save.

How to Turn On or Off App Diagnostics Access (Using Registry Editor)

1. Open Registry Editor: ⚠️ Admin privileges required Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Go to this folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy
3. Create or edit a DWORD: Right-click in the AppPrivacy folder › New › DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it LetAppsGetDiagnosticInfo.
4. Set the value: Double-click the new DWORD and enter:

   • 1 to turn on App diagnostics access
   • 0 to turn it off
5. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply changes.

Summary

App diagnostics in Windows 11 helps developers improve apps by collecting usage information, and you maintain control over this. Use the Settings app, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor to manage your privacy settings.

What happens when you turn it off? Your apps stop sharing diagnostic information, which increases your privacy and control over your computer data.

How to control it: Turn this feature on or off in Windows 11 using Settings, the Local Group Policy Editor, or the Registry Editor.

Important reminder: Back up your data or create a restore point before making system changes.

Controlling diagnostic data sharing on a Windows 11 PC allows you to determine the amount of information applications send. This control ensures privacy by letting you decide which app activities are reported. For example, you might choose to limit the sharing of browsing history to protect personal preferences.

Reference: Microsoft Support - Windows App Diagnostics and Privacy