Many of our previous Windows 11 articles focused on removing bloatware, restoring lost features, modifying its general behavior, and bypassing its ridiculous hardware restrictions, but we left one detail unaddressed: telemetry. Microsoft still relies on collecting data through its environments, but if you want to block Windows 11 telemetry or minimize its activity, you can use the free tool ShutUp10++, now compatible with both major versions of Windows.
The phrase is emphatic: “If you don’t pay for it, you are the product”. It is not that complicated to get Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free, but Microsoft needs to extract some value from those installations. The problem is that many users have already paid for the licenses of those operating systems (whether individually through retail or with a new computer) but still suffer data collection, advertising, unwanted apps, and more.
If you are one of those users, you might be interested in blocking Windows 11 telemetry or, alternatively, reducing it to the minimum. This also includes enabling privacy controls and applying restrictions such as preventing downloads of unwanted apps. This is where ShutUp10++ comes in, from the same creators as AppBuster that helps us remove preinstalled apps. The software is free and works portably.
How to Block Windows 11 Telemetry with ShutUp10++
The interface enables three modes to sort the available options: current status, alphabetical order, and “recommended”. The last mode simply places recommended options at the top, but any of the three works well. In the actions menu, ShutUp10++ offers three presets, the most important being “Apply only the recommended settings”. That preset is also the safest, but the program suggests creating a restore point no matter what you choose. The file menu lets you quickly export and import configurations.
ShutUp10++ enables dozens of parameters distributed across different categories. “Windows Update” contains everything related to Windows Update, “Cortana” helps us disable and limit the assistant (if it were as adorable as Weapon in Halo Infinite, I would think twice), “Microsoft Edge” focuses on the browser, and “Application Privacy” presents the largest number of options to control microphone, camera, location, calendar, contacts, and much more.
In addition to suggesting a restore point, ShutUp10++ warns that some of its options can be reset after a major update, so we should run it frequently. Some modifications take effect immediately, but most require a reboot. ShutUp10++ has worked very well in our tests, and it makes an excellent team with AppBuster to block Windows 11 telemetry and reduce its bloatware.
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