When you set up a brand-new Windows PC, you probably want to get through the setup screens as quickly as possible so you can start using your shiny new computer.That makes it easy to click through Microsoft's privacy options without paying much attention to what you've actually enabled.One of those settings allows Microsoft to collect samples of what you type or write.
What Microsoft collects from your typing I knew Windows collected data, but not this Water is wet.Fish swim.Microsoft collects data.
These are all well-known facts of life, and many of us generally accept the third one as the price of using Windows.But there's a difference between collecting general diagnostic information and collecting bits of what you type.Microsoft says that if Improve inking and typing is enabled, it will "collect samples of the content you type or write to improve features including handwriting recognition, autocompletion, next-word prediction, and spelling correction." Microsoft is careful to describe these as "small samples," rather than a record of everything you type.
It also says the samples are processed to remove unique identifiers, sequencing information, email addresses, numeric values, and other information that could be used to reconstruct the original content or associate the input with you.That's reassuring, but I still don't particularly like the idea of my typing being included in diagnostic data, even if Microsoft takes steps to anonymize it.How to stop Microsoft collecting your typing data Finding the right setting takes a little digging Close Deciding which Windows settings to leave on and which to turn off can be confusing, mainly because so many of the options use similar wording.
Whether Microsoft does this deliberately is a debate for another time, but it certainly doesn't make it any easier to figure out which setting controls what.The quickest way to stop Microsoft from using your typing and handwriting information is to go to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback and turn off Improve inking and typing.Microsoft says that turning this setting off stops it from using this data to improve typing and writing services for all customers.
In some older versions of Windows, the Improve inking and typing option isn't available.In that case, Microsoft says the data is collected when diagnostic data is set to Full.So, if you can't find Improve inking and typing, check this setting instead.
Personally, I prefer to take a more restrictive approach to Windows 11 privacy.In the Diagnostics & feedback window, you'll also see the option to turn off Send optional diagnostic data.Microsoft says this includes "additional details about your device and its settings, capabilities, and device health," along with information such as enhanced error reporting and device activity.
On my Windows 11 PC, turning this off automatically disabled Improve inking and typing, as well as other options on the same screen, such as View diagnostic data.Microsoft doesn't explicitly say this will happen on every system, however, so it's worth double-checking on your computer.There is a trade-off, though.
Microsoft says optional diagnostic data helps it identify and fix issues and make product improvements, though your device will still be just as secure and operate normally when you send only the required diagnostic data.Personally, I'm happy to give Microsoft the diagnostic data it needs to keep Windows working, but I don't see much reason to send it anything beyond that.Don't confuse this with Inking & typing personalization There's one more setting to check You might also come across a separate Customized inking and typing dictionary setting under Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization.
This uses your typing history and handwriting patterns to create a customized dictionary that Windows can use to improve your typing and inking suggestions.Microsoft says that words you've added to the dictionary can form part of its inking and typing diagnostic data.This indicates some overlap between the information used for personalization and the diagnostic data Microsoft collects when Improve inking and typing is enabled.
If you want to be extra-cautious, you can turn off the Customized inking and typing dictionary too.Just be aware that doing so will clear your customized dictionary, so your typing and inking suggestions will no longer be personalized.A quick privacy check is worth it For me, this is one of those Windows settings that's worth checking whenever I set up a new PC.
If I'm happy with the required diagnostic data, I don't see much reason to opt into more than that.And if you're security-conscious, Improve inking and typing isn't the only Windows 11 feature worth checking.There are several other Windows 11 features that can quietly affect your privacy, from Copilot and Windows Recall to Clipboard History and Windows recommendations, so it's worth taking a few minutes to see which ones you're comfortable using and which you'd rather switch off.
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