How to Change Device Usage Settings in Windows 11
Device usage settings in Windows 11 control what personal data your PC shares with Microsoft and how the system tailors tips to your habits. You can open Settings Personalization Device usage on Windows 11 Home and Pro to pick how you plan to use your computer across six categories like gaming, school, family, and business.
Turning off these options stops Windows from tracking your daily patterns and helps limit targeted ads. You can change these choices at any time to keep more of your computer activity private.
Open Settings by pressing Win+I, then go to Personalization and select Device usage. Toggle categories like Gaming or Business on or off to control personalized tips and data collection. These changes adjust how Windows learns from your computer activity.
How to change device usage settings
Windows 11 device usage settings let you tell your PC how you plan to use it so the system can tailor tips, tools, and performance to your needs. You can change Windows 11 device settings by opening the Settings app , going to Personalization, and picking the specific activities you use your computer for, such as gaming, schoolwork, or entertainment.
1. Press Win+I to open Settings , or click Start and select Settings.
2. In the Settings menu, click Personalization on the left.
3. Find and click the Device usage tile on the right.
Active Windows 11 device usage categories shape how the operating system tailors its features. These categories, such as Gaming, Family, or Business, appear on the Device Usage page. You can switch each category On or Off to personalize which data Windows 11 collects about your device's use.
Changing device usage settings applies to your specific user profile on Windows 11. You do not need administrator rights to change these settings, making them accessible to any user account for personalization.
Managing Hardware with Bluetooth & Devices
Bluetooth & devices settings in Windows 11 let you connect and manage all your external hardware from one central place. You can pair wireless headphones, add new printers, and sync your phone to your PC by opening the Settings app and selecting the Bluetooth & devices tab on the left side of the screen.
- 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.
Follow the on-screen prompts to pair your hardware.
Data Privacy and Usage
Adjusting Windows 11 device usage settings directly impacts privacy, as the operating system gathers data to refine its features, but you can control this by turning off specific toggles or managing broader permissions in the Privacy & security tab.
Summary
Managing your Windows 11 device settings gives you control over both your privacy and your hardware. Use the Personalization section, then Device usage, to adjust how Windows suggests content to you. Use Bluetooth & devices to manage your peripherals. Both menus are manageable and require no special permissions to update.
Related Topics
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!