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Privacy_and_Security
Security, privacy, telemetry, AI, and browser policies.
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Tracks the apps and files you use for the Windows Timeline.
Technical Details: Tracks the apps and files you use for the Windows Timeline.
"Windows will record your daily activities so you can resume past tasks from the Task View. This creates a local database of every document and application you open."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Shows recommended activities and tips inside the Windows Timeline view.
Technical Details: Shows recommended activities and tips inside the Windows Timeline view.
"You will see occasional suggestions and Microsoft promotions inserted among your recent activities in Task View. This clutters your activity history with unrequested content."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Lets applications read your name, picture, and other account details.
Technical Details: Lets applications read your name, picture, and other account details.
"Apps will be able to retrieve your Windows profile identity and account metadata. Allowing this reduces privacy as third-party software can harvest your local user information."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits apps to read diagnostic information about other running applications.
Technical Details: Permits apps to read diagnostic information about other running applications.
"Software can collect telemetry, performance data, and error logs from other apps on your system. This data can potentially expose what you are doing in other active programs."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits apps to access and use your connected webcams or cameras.
Technical Details: Permits apps to access and use your connected webcams or cameras.
"Desktop and UWP applications can request video feeds from your device cameras. Allowing this increases the risk of unauthorized background video capture."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows and apps to determine your physical device location.
Technical Details: Allows Windows and apps to determine your physical device location.
"Apps with permission can track your precise location for maps, weather, and local content. Leaving this on broadcasts your physical whereabouts to applications."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits applications to record audio using connected microphones.
Technical Details: Permits applications to record audio using connected microphones.
"Programs can listen to and record ambient sound or voice chats from your audio input devices. You risk unauthorized apps secretly listening in on private conversations."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits OneDrive to prompt for automatic backup of standard user folders.
Technical Details: Permits OneDrive to prompt for automatic backup of standard user folders.
"OneDrive can automatically sync your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures directly to the cloud. Enabling this uploads your personal files to Microsoft servers, consuming bandwidth and storage."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows to download dynamic content and suggestions from Microsoft servers.
Technical Details: Allows Windows to download dynamic content and suggestions from Microsoft servers.
"Permits the background download of consumer features, lock screen images, and app recommendations. Enabling this uses background network bandwidth and populates your UI with Microsoft-curated content."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits Microsoft to remotely enable or manage experimental Windows features.
Technical Details: Permits Microsoft to remotely enable or manage experimental Windows features.
"Allows your system to receive background configuration updates that activate new UI tests and feature drops. Enabling this may alter your workflow unexpectedly as Microsoft changes interface elements remotely."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows your computer manufacturer to automatically install their promotional bloatware.
Technical Details: Allows your computer manufacturer to automatically install their promotional bloatware.
"Permits the silent background installation of third-party sponsored applications bundled by your PC manufacturer. Enabling this consumes storage space and adds unwanted shortcuts to your Start menu."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Tracks whether sponsored third-party applications have previously been installed.
Technical Details: Tracks whether sponsored third-party applications have previously been installed.
"Allows Windows to keep a record of consumer apps it has automatically installed to avoid reinstalling them if removed. Enabling this tracks your app removal history on Microsoft's end."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Automatically installs sponsored applications like Candy Crush onto new user accounts.
Technical Details: Automatically installs sponsored applications like Candy Crush onto new user accounts.
"Permits Windows to silently download and pin consumer apps to your Start menu on new accounts. Enabling this wastes disk space and bandwidth on unwanted third-party software."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows to install unprompted application updates and sponsored software.
Technical Details: Allows Windows to install unprompted application updates and sponsored software.
"Permits the operating system to download and install Store apps in the background without user notification. Enabling this consumes network bandwidth unexpectedly and installs apps you didn't explicitly request."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Shows tutorials and welcome screens when new Windows features are introduced.
Technical Details: Shows tutorials and welcome screens when new Windows features are introduced.
"Enables pop-up tips and introductory guides after major Windows updates or feature installations. Enabling this causes temporary interruptions to explain new functionality."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables tailored tips, tricks, and app promotions within the Windows interface.
Technical Details: Enables tailored tips, tricks, and app promotions within the Windows interface.
"Allows Microsoft to display personalized recommendations and advertisements in the Start menu, Settings, and Action Center. Enabling this adds promotional clutter to your desktop experience."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Lets Windows occasionally prompt you to provide feedback on your experience.
Technical Details: Lets Windows occasionally prompt you to provide feedback on your experience.
"You will receive pop-up notifications asking you to rate features or complete surveys about Windows. These sudden feedback prompts can interrupt your workflow and be highly annoying."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Sends full diagnostic and usage telemetry data to Microsoft servers.
Technical Details: Sends full diagnostic and usage telemetry data to Microsoft servers.
"Microsoft will collect extensive details about your device, apps, and usage to troubleshoot and improve Windows. This consumes network bandwidth and shares significant personal usage information with Microsoft."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Uses your diagnostic data to offer personalized tips and Microsoft recommendations.
Technical Details: Uses your diagnostic data to offer personalized tips and Microsoft recommendations.
"Windows will analyze your usage telemetry to show customized ads, tips, and feature recommendations. This increases the amount of promotional content and suggestions you see across the OS."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows apps to track your advertising ID for targeted ads.
Technical Details: Allows Windows apps to track your advertising ID for targeted ads.
"Apps will use your unique advertising ID to serve personalized advertisements based on your activity. Enabling this sacrifices your privacy by sharing tracking data with advertisers."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Lets websites see your Windows language list to show localized content.
Technical Details: Lets websites see your Windows language list to show localized content.
"Websites will automatically read your preferred languages to serve content in your native language. This exposes your language preferences to third-party sites, slightly reducing your privacy."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows to track which apps you open to improve search.
Technical Details: Allows Windows to track which apps you open to improve search.
"Windows will monitor your app usage to prioritize your most frequently used programs in Start and search. This logs your personal app activity in the background."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows the Settings app to show account-related alerts and notifications.
Technical Details: Allows the Settings app to show account-related alerts and notifications.
"Windows will display prompts about your Microsoft account or missing settings directly in the Settings app. You may be annoyed by frequent notifications urging you to link services."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Displays Microsoft tips and suggested content inside the Windows Settings app.
Technical Details: Displays Microsoft tips and suggested content inside the Windows Settings app.
"You will see Microsoft's recommended settings and promotional suggestions while navigating the Settings app. This clutters the Settings interface with unnecessary promotional content."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the ability to lock your PC and displays the lock screen.
Technical Details: Enables the ability to lock your PC and displays the lock screen.
"Allows you to secure your computer using Win+L and displays the lock screen before the login prompt. Enabling this requires an extra keystroke or click to reach the password field after waking the PC."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Shows tips, tricks, and fun facts on your Windows lock screen.
Technical Details: Shows tips, tricks, and fun facts on your Windows lock screen.
"This displays rotating text, tips, and suggestions over your lock screen background. You lose a clean, text-free lock screen image."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Automatically downloads and rotates daily background images on your lock screen.
Technical Details: Automatically downloads and rotates daily background images on your lock screen.
"Allows Windows to fetch high-quality wallpapers and display interactive facts on your lock screen. Enabling this consumes minor network bandwidth and displays Microsoft-curated images."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits Microsoft Edge to use AI for generating custom browser themes.
Technical Details: Permits Microsoft Edge to use AI for generating custom browser themes.
"This allows Microsoft Edge to dynamically generate custom themes using artificial intelligence. If you do not use AI themes, leaving this enabled unnecessarily exposes your browser to background data processing."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables AI-powered searching through your browsing history in Microsoft Edge.
Technical Details: Enables AI-powered searching through your browsing history in Microsoft Edge.
"This allows Edge to use AI to find past webpages based on natural language queries. Your history may be processed by AI models. Turning this off reverts to standard keyword-based history searches."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables built-in AI programming interfaces for web developers in Microsoft Edge.
Technical Details: Enables built-in AI programming interfaces for web developers in Microsoft Edge.
"This allows websites to access Edge's local AI models through experimental web APIs. Turning this off prevents web pages from utilizing the browser's native AI capabilities."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Microsoft Edge Copilot to access Commercial Data Protection page context.
Technical Details: Allows Microsoft Edge Copilot to access Commercial Data Protection page context.
"This enables Copilot in Edge to read the contents of the current webpage when Commercial Data Protection is active. Turning this off prevents the AI from seeing your secure page data."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Grants Microsoft Edge Copilot access to the contents of open webpages.
Technical Details: Grants Microsoft Edge Copilot access to the contents of open webpages.
"This allows the Copilot sidebar in Edge to read and summarize the active webpage. Turning this off restricts Copilot from seeing or interacting with the site you are browsing."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the Copilot sidebar and hub features in Microsoft Edge.
Technical Details: Enables the Copilot sidebar and hub features in Microsoft Edge.
"This turns on the right-hand sidebar in Edge where Copilot and other tools reside. Turning this off completely hides the sidebar and disables easy access to Copilot."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Disables AI assistance features within the Microsoft Edge Developer Tools.
Technical Details: Disables AI assistance features within the Microsoft Edge Developer Tools.
"This disables the generative AI features embedded within the Edge developer tools. You will lose access to AI-driven debugging explanations or code generation inside DevTools."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Entra Copilot to access webpage context in Microsoft Edge.
Technical Details: Allows Entra Copilot to access webpage context in Microsoft Edge.
"This enables Entra-authenticated Copilot sessions to read and analyze active webpages in Edge. Turning this off prevents enterprise Copilot from seeing the current site content."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the AI text composition tool directly inside text fields.
Technical Details: Enables the AI text composition tool directly inside text fields.
"This provides an inline AI assistant to help you write or rewrite text in any web form. Turning this off disables the popup AI writing tools inside text boxes."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits Microsoft Edge to download and use local AI foundational models.
Technical Details: Permits Microsoft Edge to download and use local AI foundational models.
"This allows the browser to run smaller AI models locally on your device for features like inline composition. It may consume extra storage and CPU resources. Turning this off forces Edge to rely entirely on cloud-based AI."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Displays the Microsoft 365 Copilot chat icon in Microsoft Edge.
Technical Details: Displays the Microsoft 365 Copilot chat icon in Microsoft Edge.
"This shows a dedicated button for Microsoft 365 Copilot within the Edge browser interface. Turning this off hides the chat icon to declutter your browser window."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Edge to share your browsing history with Microsoft Copilot.
Technical Details: Allows Edge to share your browsing history with Microsoft Copilot.
"This allows Microsoft Copilot to access and analyze your Edge browsing history for more personalized search results. This reduces your privacy since Microsoft receives more of your browsing data."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft Excel by removing the restriction.
Technical Details: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft Excel by removing the restriction.
"This removes the explicit block on Microsoft Copilot, allowing it to function inside Microsoft Excel. Your spreadsheet data will be processed by Microsoft's cloud services to power AI insights."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the AI content safety service for Microsoft Office applications.
Technical Details: Enables the AI content safety service for Microsoft Office applications.
"This activates a cloud-based service that scans Office content for safety and compliance using AI. Enabling this results in your data being analyzed by external servers rather than remaining strictly local."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables optional connected experiences for Office AI training and features.
Technical Details: Enables optional connected experiences for Office AI training and features.
"This permits Microsoft Office to use your data for optional connected experiences, which can include training AI models. Enabling this shares more of your document data with Microsoft's cloud services."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Configures connected services and user content access for Microsoft Office.
Technical Details: Configures connected services and user content access for Microsoft Office.
"This adjusts privacy policies to allow Microsoft Office features to connect to online services and access your content. You may lose some privacy as Office will sync and process data in the cloud."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft OneNote by removing the restrictions.
Technical Details: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft OneNote by removing the restrictions.
"Using Copilot sends your notebook data to Microsoft's cloud servers for processing."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft Word by removing the restriction.
Technical Details: Enables Copilot integration within Microsoft Word by removing the restriction.
"This removes the explicit block on Microsoft Copilot, allowing it to function inside Microsoft Word. If you rely on a local-only workflow, this exposes your documents to cloud-based AI processing."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables Microsoft Cortana and allows it to perform system searches.
Technical Details: Enables Microsoft Cortana and allows it to perform system searches.
"Cortana will be permitted to run and answer voice queries or text searches. You may lose some privacy as Cortana sends search data to Microsoft."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Includes your OneDrive and Microsoft account data in Windows search results.
Technical Details: Includes your OneDrive and Microsoft account data in Windows search results.
"Searching from the Start menu will fetch results from your personal cloud storage and Microsoft services. This requires a background internet connection and sends your search queries to Microsoft."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Includes your SharePoint and Azure AD data in Windows search results.
Technical Details: Includes your SharePoint and Azure AD data in Windows search results.
"Searching from the Start menu will retrieve documents and contacts from your organizational cloud accounts. This routes your local searches through your enterprise network services."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Saves your Start menu and search box queries to improve future results.
Technical Details: Saves your Start menu and search box queries to improve future results.
"Windows will remember the terms you search for locally to autocomplete your frequent queries. This leaves a permanent record of everything you have searched for on this device."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Shows trending topics and daily images in the Windows search box.
Technical Details: Shows trending topics and daily images in the Windows search box.
"The search menu will display dynamic content like historical events, news, and Bing daily images. This connects your search box to the internet and shows potentially distracting content."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Controls how automatic Maintenance behaves for this PC.
Technical Details: Controls how automatic Maintenance behaves for this PC.
"Permits Windows to wake your computer and use system resources for scheduled daily maintenance tasks. Enabling this ensures your system stays optimized but can cause unexpected slowdowns or wake-ups."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows to automatically encrypt your drive using BitLocker.
Technical Details: Allows Windows to automatically encrypt your drive using BitLocker.
"Permits automatic BitLocker device encryption on supported hardware. Enabling this secures your data but can slightly reduce storage performance."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows installing unsigned applications and accessing advanced developer tools.
Technical Details: Allows installing unsigned applications and accessing advanced developer tools.
"Enables sideloading of uncertified UWP apps and grants access to debugging features like SSH and Device Portal. Enabling this bypasses standard app store security checks, potentially exposing your system to unverified software."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Lets you choose how powerShell Execution Policy behaves.
Technical Details: Lets you choose how powerShell Execution Policy behaves.
"Loosening the policy allows custom automation scripts to function but increases the risk of malware execution. Choices: Restricted: restores the standard Windows behavior for powerShell Execution Policy. AllSigned: uses the AllSigned behavior for powerShell Execution Policy. RemoteSigned: uses the RemoteSigned behavior for powerShell Execution Policy. Unrestricted: uses the Unrestricted behavior for powerShell Execution Policy. Bypass: uses the Bypass behavior for powerShell Execution Policy."
Options Available:
- Restricted (Default)
- AllSigned
- RemoteSigned (Recommended)
- Unrestricted
- Bypass
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits support technicians or other users to remotely control your computer.
Technical Details: Permits support technicians or other users to remotely control your computer.
"Allows you to invite someone to connect to your PC to provide remote technical support. Enabling this opens a potential attack vector if remote assistance requests are mishandled."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Controls whether Windows blocks untrusted or potentially malicious applications from running.
Technical Details: Controls whether Windows blocks untrusted or potentially malicious applications from running.
"Determines if Smart App Control analyzes and blocks unrecognized executable files. Enforcing it increases security but may prevent obscure or custom-built software from launching. Choosing the default option restores the previous Smart App Control evaluation state. Choices: Off: turns this behavior off for smart App Control. On (Enforced): turns this behavior on and makes Windows enforce it for smart App Control. Evaluation Mode: restores the standard Windows behavior for smart App Control."
Options Available:
- Off (Recommended)
- On (Enforced)
- Evaluation Mode (Default)
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Lets you choose how user Account Control Level behaves.
Technical Details: Lets you choose how user Account Control Level behaves.
"Controls how often and securely Windows asks for permission when programs make system changes. Lowering security reduces interruptions but makes your PC more vulnerable to unauthorized changes. Choosing the default option restores standard Microsoft notification behavior. Choices: Prompt for Credentials: uses the Prompt for Credentials behavior for user Account Control Level. Always notify: turns this behavior on and makes Windows enforce it for user Account Control Level. Notify when apps try to make changes: restores the standard Windows behavior for user Account Control Level. Notify when apps try to make changes (no dim): uses the Notify when apps try to make changes (no dim) behavior for user Account Control Level. Never notify: turns this behavior off for user Account Control Level."
Options Available:
- Prompt for Credentials
- Always notify
- Notify when apps try to make changes (Default)
- Notify when apps try to make changes (no dim)
- Never notify (Recommended)
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Automatically connects to suggested open Wi-Fi hotspots and shares network information.
Technical Details: Automatically connects to suggested open Wi-Fi hotspots and shares network information.
"Allows your device to automatically connect to crowdsourced Wi-Fi networks and report hotspot details to Microsoft. Enabling this risks connecting to insecure public networks without your explicit consent."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Sends crash reports and diagnostic data to Microsoft when programs fail.
Technical Details: Sends crash reports and diagnostic data to Microsoft when programs fail.
"Allows Windows to collect and upload memory dumps and application crash logs to Microsoft servers. Enabling this helps developers fix bugs but transmits diagnostic information over your network."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Shows prompts to connect your device to a work or school account.
Technical Details: Shows prompts to connect your device to a work or school account.
"Allows Windows to prompt you to join Azure Active Directory or your workplace network. Enabling this means you will see pop-ups asking to connect your account."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows Narrator to use online services for better image descriptions.
Technical Details: Allows Windows Narrator to use online services for better image descriptions.
"Narrator will connect to the internet to generate accurate descriptions for images and web content. This requires sending data about the images you view to Microsoft's servers."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables extensions and scripting support for the Windows Narrator screen reader.
Technical Details: Enables extensions and scripting support for the Windows Narrator screen reader.
"Third-party apps and developers can run scripts to interact with or extend Narrator's functionality. This could pose a minor security risk if malicious scripts attempt to control Narrator."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Sends your voice data to Microsoft for cloud-based speech recognition services.
Technical Details: Sends your voice data to Microsoft for cloud-based speech recognition services.
"You can dictate text and use Cortana features by processing your voice on Microsoft's cloud servers. This sends your voice recordings and speaking patterns over the internet to Microsoft."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits AI features to connect and share data with third-party apps.
Technical Details: Permits AI features to connect and share data with third-party apps.
"Windows AI can interact with installed applications to exchange information and execute tasks. Enabling this broadens the surface area where your personal data might be shared."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables dedicated on-screen workspace environments for AI agents to operate.
Technical Details: Enables dedicated on-screen workspace environments for AI agents to operate.
"This allocates system resources to maintain background AI environments instead of foreground tasks."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables AI-driven consumer content and personalized suggestions in Windows features.
Technical Details: Enables AI-driven consumer content and personalized suggestions in Windows features.
"This allows Microsoft to push tailored content, tips, and suggestions based on your consumer account state. Turning this off blocks these personalized AI-driven cloud content prompts."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits Windows to analyze your local data using AI models.
Technical Details: Permits Windows to analyze your local data using AI models.
"Windows will process your local files and usage data to provide AI-driven insights and features. This allows Microsoft algorithms to parse your personal and sensitive content."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows AI assistants to autonomously change your Windows system settings.
Technical Details: Allows AI assistants to autonomously change your Windows system settings.
"Copilot and other integrated AI tools can directly modify PC configurations based on natural language prompts. This grants AI agents high-level permission to alter your underlying device environment."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows your user account to access Bing Chat within Copilot.
Technical Details: Allows your user account to access Bing Chat within Copilot.
"You will be able to utilize Bing's web-connected chat capabilities directly from the Windows desktop. This integrates live web searches and external data harvesting into your local prompts."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables context-aware AI suggestions when clicking on text or images.
Technical Details: Enables context-aware AI suggestions when clicking on text or images.
"The OS will provide intelligent actions and recommendations when you interact with on-screen content. This constantly analyzes what you click to feed it to background AI models."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Makes the Windows Copilot interface accessible and visible to the user.
Technical Details: Makes the Windows Copilot interface accessible and visible to the user.
"The Copilot feature will be exposed in the UI, allowing you to click and launch it. This enables the visual integration of AI across the taskbar and system menus."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows the dedicated physical Copilot key on modern keyboards to function.
Technical Details: Allows the dedicated physical Copilot key on modern keyboards to function.
"Pressing the Copilot button on compatible keyboards will instantly launch the AI assistant. This reserves the physical key specifically for Microsoft's AI tool instead of allowing custom remaps. Reverting creates an empty SetCopilotHardwareKey string, effectively ignoring the Copilot key press."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Grants Windows Copilot and Microsoft Office Hub permission to use your microphone.
Technical Details: Grants Windows Copilot and Microsoft Office Hub permission to use your microphone.
"This allows Copilot and Office apps to listen to your microphone for voice commands. Turning this off prevents these specific applications from accessing your microphone."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows to display nudges and promotional prompts for Microsoft Copilot.
Technical Details: Allows Windows to display nudges and promotional prompts for Microsoft Copilot.
"This lets Windows occasionally show pop-up suggestions to use Copilot in the taskbar. Turning this off explicitly disables these promotional nudges from appearing."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the underlying core runtime components required for Copilot features.
Technical Details: Enables the underlying core runtime components required for Copilot features.
"The base services that power all Copilot functionality will be allowed to start with Windows. This keeps background AI processes running in memory at all times."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits Windows applications to utilize system-level generative AI features.
Technical Details: Permits Windows applications to utilize system-level generative AI features.
"This grants apps permission to access the local generative AI engine on your device. Turning this off forcefully blocks all apps from using system-provided generative AI capabilities."
Risk Level: 🟢 Safe | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables personalized typing insights and suggestions for your Windows input.
Technical Details: Enables personalized typing insights and suggestions for your Windows input.
"This allows Windows to analyze your typing habits to offer better autocorrect and word predictions. You surrender some privacy as the system tracks your typing patterns. Turning this off stops Windows from generating personalized typing insights."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the AI Cocreator feature within Microsoft Paint.
Technical Details: Enables the AI Cocreator feature within Microsoft Paint.
"This allows you to use AI assistance to draw and edit images in Paint. Turning this off disables the AI Cocreator feature completely."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the AI Image Creator feature within Microsoft Paint.
Technical Details: Enables the AI Image Creator feature within Microsoft Paint.
"This allows you to generate images using AI directly inside Microsoft Paint. Turning this off removes the AI Image Creator button and functionality from the Paint application."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the Generative Erase tool within Microsoft Paint.
Technical Details: Enables the Generative Erase tool within Microsoft Paint.
"This allows you to seamlessly remove objects from images using AI in Microsoft Paint. Turning this off disables the generative erase functionality."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the Generative Fill tool within Microsoft Paint.
Technical Details: Enables the Generative Fill tool within Microsoft Paint.
"This allows you to use AI to fill in empty spaces or modify areas of images in Paint. Turning this off removes the generative fill capability from the app."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the AI background removal feature within Microsoft Paint.
Technical Details: Enables the AI background removal feature within Microsoft Paint.
"This allows you to instantly isolate subjects and strip away image backgrounds in Paint. Turning this off disables the background removal tool."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits the Windows Recall feature to run on supported Copilot+ PCs.
Technical Details: Permits the Windows Recall feature to run on supported Copilot+ PCs.
"The Recall feature will be allowed to function, letting you search past screen activity. Enabling this means Windows will continuously monitor and record your desktop actions."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows Recall to take continuous screenshots of your screen activity.
Technical Details: Allows Windows Recall to take continuous screenshots of your screen activity.
"Recall will regularly capture images of your screen to build a searchable history of your tasks. This consumes significant storage space and logs sensitive information displayed on your monitor."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Allows Windows AI to interface with remote servers and cloud services.
Technical Details: Allows Windows AI to interface with remote servers and cloud services.
"Your local AI features can reach out to external web services for processing or retrieving data. This actively transmits parts of your local workflow to external servers over the internet."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Permits applications to access system AI models and stops recording usage data.
Technical Details: Permits applications to access system AI models and stops recording usage data.
"This allows applications to utilize Windows system AI models for local processing."
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium Risk | Requires Restart: No
Overview: Enables the Windows Copilot AI assistant on your desktop and taskbar.
Technical Details: Enables the Windows Copilot AI assistant on your desktop and taskbar.
"The Copilot AI will be accessible for answering questions and interacting with Windows settings. Copilot actively sends your prompts and screen context to Microsoft cloud services."