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Windows 🟡 Intermediate

How to Submit Feedback Using the Windows 11 Diagnostics and Feedback Hub

Richard
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Richard
Updated 10 min read
How to submit feedback using the Windows 11 Diagnostics and feedback hub
How to submit feedback using the Windows 11 Diagnostics and feedback hub

The Windows 11 diagnostic and feedback settings live in Settings Privacy & security Diagnostics & feedback, and the Feedback Hub app is where you send bug reports, feature ideas and complaints to Microsoft. The Feedback Hub is a built-in app that gathers system details and screenshots, so engineers can fix crashes and performance bugs faster.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open the Feedback Hub by pressing Win, typing Feedback Hub, and clicking the app. Click Add new feedback, describe your issue, select the category, and submit. Microsoft’s engineers receive your report directly, especially if you first enable optional diagnostic data in Settings Privacy & security Diagnostics & feedback.

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It works on all currently supported Windows 11 versions (24H2 and 25H2). If you are not sure which version you have, the winver check later in this guide shows it. Sharing diagnostic data (technical details about your PC and how it runs) also helps Microsoft spot major bugs across millions of PCs. Windows offers two levels:

  • Required diagnostic dataThis basic level sends information about your device, its settings, and whether it is running correctly. It helps Microsoft spot critical security flaws and stability issues. You cannot turn this level off.
  • Optional diagnostic dataThis level includes everything in the required data, plus extra details about the websites you visit, how you use apps and features, and enhanced error reports. It gives Microsoft the most helpful information when you are reporting a bug.

You can check or change your diagnostic settings at any time. Follow these steps to review them:

  1. Click the Start button and open the Settings app (the gear icon). The Settings window opens.
Settings
Settings
  1. Click Privacy & security in the left sidebar menu. The privacy options appear in the main panel.
Settings › Privacy & security
Settings › Privacy & security
  1. Click Diagnostics & feedback in the main panel. This page holds all the diagnostic and feedback options. The path is Settings Privacy & security Diagnostics & feedback.
Settings › Privacy & security › Diagnostics & feedback
Settings › Privacy & security › Diagnostics & feedback
  1. Look under the Diagnostic data section. Turn on the Send optional diagnostic data switch if you want to share more. Leave it off to send only the required data. The change applies immediately and you do not need to restart.

That’s it. Your PC now sends the level of diagnostic data you picked, and you can change your mind on this page at any time.

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If these options are greyed out, or you see a message saying some settings are managed by your organization, a work or school policy is controlling them. This is common on Pro editions joined to a company network. Only your administrator can change them.

Sharing optional diagnostic data makes your bug reports much more effective because the Feedback Hub can automatically attach system logs and performance traces related to your problem. If you later want to share less, return to the same page and turn the switch off.

Settings › Privacy › Diagnostics
Settings › Privacy › Diagnostics

How to Open and Navigate the Feedback Hub

The Feedback Hub is a built-in app for reporting Windows issues to Microsoft. It lets you browse existing bug reports, check for app updates, or start your own feedback submission right from your desktop. If Windows asks you to sign in, use your Microsoft account.

The fastest way in is the keyboard. Press the Win plus F and the Feedback Hub opens directly. If you prefer menus, there is a second route through Settings Privacy & security Diagnostics & feedback, where the Feedback frequency area has an Open Feedback Hub link.

You can also open it through search. Follow these steps:

  1. Press the Win on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Feedback Hub into the search bar. The app appears in the search results.
  3. Click the Feedback Hub app icon in the results to open it. The home dashboard appears.

That’s it. The Feedback Hub is open and ready for you to browse or submit a report.

If the app does not show up in search, it may have been removed or blocked on your PC. Reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store usually fixes this. On a managed work PC, your administrator may have blocked it on purpose.

Here is what you will find in the main menu:

  • HomeShows popular announcements, trending issues, and recent updates from the Windows team.
  • FeedbackLets you browse reports submitted by other users. You can upvote issues that affect you or leave comments.
  • Add new feedbackThe most important button in the app. This is where you submit your own bug reports or feature requests.
  • AchievementsA section that tracks your contributions and rewards you with digital badges for helping the community.
💡TipTake a few minutes to look around the app before you submit anything. Searching existing feedback can save you time. If someone else has already flagged the same problem, cast a vote on their report instead of starting a new one.

How to Submit a New Bug Report or Feature Request

You submit a new bug report or feature request from inside the Feedback Hub. Describe your issue in detail and choose the right category. Your notes go directly to the Windows engineering team to help them fix software glitches.

Follow these steps to submit your feedback:

  1. Open the Feedback Hub app using the steps in the previous section.
  2. Click the Feedback tab on the left menu.
  3. Click the blue + Add new feedback button at the top right. The feedback form opens.
  4. Choose Bug if something is broken or not working right. Choose Suggestion if you want a new feature or a design change.
  5. In the Summarize your feedback box, type a short, clear sentence describing the issue. For example: “Task bar freezes when clicking the network icon.”
  6. In the Explain in more detail box, describe what you were doing when the problem happened, what you expected to happen, and what actually happened. Mention anything you already tried, such as a restart.
  7. Click Next. The category screen appears.

Choosing the correct category and subcategory matters. It makes sure the right engineering team reviews your report. Microsoft receives millions of suggestions, and putting yours in the proper bucket keeps it from getting lost and speeds up the review.

  1. Select a Category and Subcategory from the drop-down menus that best match your problem (such as “Network and Internet” or “Apps”).
  2. Click Next. The app checks for similar existing reports and lists any matches.
  3. If your issue matches an existing report, select it and add your details to it. If nothing matches, choose to create a new feedback item.
  4. When the form is complete, click Submit to send it.

That’s it. Your report is now with Microsoft. It appears under your own feedback in the app, where you can check for replies.

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Using the Re-create a Problem Tool for Advanced Troubleshooting

For complex bugs, use the re-create a problem tool in the Feedback Hub. It records your screen and gathers technical logs automatically. It captures the step-by-step actions leading up to a crash, which gives Microsoft engineers the exact diagnostic data they need to solve difficult system errors.

Follow these first steps to reach the recording option:

  1. Start submitting new feedback as described in the previous section.
  2. When you reach the screen that asks you to attach details, look for the section labeled Re-create my problem.

Privacy warning: The recording captures what is on your screen and the actions you take while it runs. Before you start, close anything sensitive, such as password managers, banking sites and email. Anything visible during the recording can end up in the trace you send to Microsoft.

  1. Click Start recording. In some builds this button is labeled Start capture. Recording begins.
  2. Perform the actions on your computer that trigger the bug or error. Take your time and make sure the error occurs clearly while the recorder is running.
  3. Once the error happens, switch back to the Feedback Hub window and click Stop recording (or Stop capture).

That’s it. The tool packages a diagnostic trace file with your submission. It contains performance data, error logs, and system states captured during the exact moments your computer misbehaved. This is the single most valuable piece of information you can provide to help developers patch a bug.

If the recording options are missing, check that optional diagnostic data is turned on (see the first section). Without it, the app may not be able to collect the detailed logs.

Attaching Screenshots and Crash Dumps Like a Pro

You can attach screenshots and crash dumps to your report while writing your feedback. A crash dump is a file that saves what an app had in memory when it failed. Attaching one lets engineering teams see visual error messages and the technical memory files tied to app failures. It gives developers the evidence they need to pinpoint the cause of a crash.

Follow these steps to attach files to your feedback:

  1. While creating your feedback report, scroll down to the Attach a screenshot section.
  2. Click the Choose a file button to upload an image from your computer. Or press the keyboard shortcut mentioned in the app to capture your current screen instantly. A thumbnail of the image appears in the form.
  3. If an application has frozen completely, you can provide a memory dump file. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
  4. Find the frozen application in the list and right-click it. Select Create memory dump file (the option may read Create dump file in some versions). A confirmation window shows where the file was saved, so note that location.
  5. Return to the Feedback Hub and scroll to the Attach a file section. Upload the dump file you just created.

That’s it. Your report now carries the visual and technical evidence for the problem.

📝NoteCrash dump files can grow very large and often exceed 500 megabytes.

Make sure your internet connection is stable before uploading. A weak connection will stop the upload and force you to start the process over again. Once the report is submitted, you can delete the dump file from your PC to free up disk space. Also, check screenshots and dump files for personal information before you send them, because they can contain anything that was on screen or in memory.

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Unique Expert Tips: Best Practices for 🪟 Windows 11 Feedback

Most people write a quick complaint and hit submit. If you want your feedback to stand out and actually influence Windows 11 updates, two habits help a lot. Most online guides skip them.

Tip 1Reference Specific Build Numbers

Reference your build number in your feedback. It tells engineers exactly which software version you were running when the bug happened. To find it, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Win, type winver, and press Enter. A dialog opens showing your Windows version and OS build.
  2. Note the version and build number, then include them in the Explain in more detail box of your report.

You should now have your exact version and build in the report. Also say whether you are on a public release or an Insider preview build. A bug in a preview build is handled differently from one in a public release.

Tip 2Upvote and Comment on Existing Hub Threads

Upvote and comment on existing feedback threads to help Microsoft engineers prioritize widespread bugs by user volume and impact. Instead of creating a duplicate report, follow these steps:

  1. Search for your issue in the Feedback Hub.
  2. Open the main thread that best matches your problem and upvote it.
  3. Leave a comment with your specific error codes and build number to help the team fix the problem faster.

That’s it. Your vote and comment now add weight to the existing report instead of splitting attention across duplicates.

Short, specific comments are more useful than “me too.” Say what you saw, what you were doing, and what you tried.

Summary

This guide explained how to share diagnostic data, open the Feedback Hub, submit bug reports or feature requests, record error steps, attach screenshots and dump files, and use two tips: referencing build numbers and upvoting existing threads.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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Richard

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.

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