Microsoft Defends Windows Telemetry Data Collection

Diagnostic data is essential for keeping Windows secure and up-to-date, but privacy concerns remain

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Microsoft has faced ongoing criticism over the telemetry data it collects from Windows PCs, with some users convinced it is a form of spying. However, a decade-long investigation by tech journalist Ed Bott has found no evidence that Microsoft is improperly collecting or using personal information. The telemetry data, which Microsoft calls "diagnostic data," is essential for keeping Windows reliable, secure, and up-to-date, but users can control the level of data shared.

Why it matters

The debate over Windows telemetry data highlights the tension between user privacy and the need for software companies to collect usage data to improve their products. While Microsoft insists the data collected is necessary and not a privacy risk, some users remain skeptical, raising questions about transparency and consent around data collection practices.

The details

Microsoft collects two levels of diagnostic data from Windows PCs: "Required" data, which includes basic error information and data to enable Windows Update, and "Optional" data, which can include more detailed device information, browsing history, and crash reports. While the Required data is essential, the Optional data raises more privacy concerns, as it could potentially include sensitive information. Microsoft says it uses a sampling approach for Optional data and does not use it for personalized advertising without user consent. Users can inspect the diagnostic data being sent to Microsoft using the Diagnostic Data Viewer tool.

  • In 2015, when Windows 10 was released, there was immediate controversy over its telemetry data collection.
  • In 2017, the Dutch Data Protection Authority found issues with Microsoft's telemetry settings, leading the company to make changes over the next two years.
  • In 2018, Microsoft introduced the Diagnostic Data Viewer tool to allow users to inspect the telemetry data being sent from their devices.

The players

Microsoft

The technology company that develops the Windows operating system and collects diagnostic data from Windows PCs.

Ed Bott

A tech journalist who has investigated Microsoft's telemetry data collection practices for over a decade and found no evidence of improper data usage.

Dutch Data Protection Authority

A privacy agency that scrutinized Microsoft's telemetry data collection and found issues with the company's consent practices, leading to changes.

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What they’re saying

“We expect personalized services. We expect relevant search results. We expect the devices we use daily to get smarter and more useful over time. We expect them to understand us despite our accents when we use speech-enabled features. We expect bugs in software and services to be fixed yesterday.”

— Ed Bott, Tech journalist (ZDNET)

What’s next

Microsoft says it is committed to being transparent about its telemetry data collection practices and providing users with more control over their data. The company may consider making the Optional diagnostic data collection truly opt-in in the future, rather than having it enabled by default.

The takeaway

While Microsoft insists the telemetry data it collects is essential for improving Windows and keeping it secure, the ongoing debate highlights the need for greater transparency and user control over data collection practices, especially for more sensitive information like browsing history and crash reports.