{"id":4159,"date":"2023-10-17T06:31:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T13:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=4159"},"modified":"2025-03-24T21:32:47","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T04:32:47","slug":"microsoft-windows-10-keylogger-enabled-default-heres-disable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/microsoft-windows-10-keylogger-enabled-default-heres-disable\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Disable Microsoft Keylogger (Windows 10 & 11)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Microsoft\u2019s keylogger lets the company record and process your keystrokes, so it can track anything you type on your keyboard. According to Microsoft, only specific employees have access to the data<\/strong>, so the company considers the keylogging safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should<\/strong> you just assume all employees with access to your information are trustworthy<\/strong>? Probably not. Even if they were, Microsoft doesn\u2019t actually need to know most of what the keylogger collects, so why is it keeping your information, and what does it use it for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of clarity makes many users feel having a default keylogger on Windows poses a threat to their privacy<\/strong> and could expose sensitive data like passwords. Fortunately, you can turn it off with a few simple steps and regain some of your privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Keylogger?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A <\/strong>keylogger is computer software that records every stroke you make on your keyboard<\/strong>. They are commonly used by cybercriminals to gather passwords and other account information which they can use to fraudulently access your sensitive accounts (e.g. email or banking).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft uses its keylogger for less nefarious purposes. The software is used to customize your typing suggestions and help build your dictionary.<\/strong> Since it\u2019s used this way, Microsoft considers the software a diagnostics tool rather than an actual keylogger.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is, Microsoft hasn\u2019t always been transparent about what data it collects or what it\u2019s used for. Several people complained to the company that even using it as a diagnostic tool violates their privacy, so Microsoft began providing the option to disable the keylogger on Windows 10 and 11<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Disable the Default Keylogger in Windows 10 & 11<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You use the same process<\/strong> to disable the default keylogger on Windows 10 and 11. Just follow the steps above each image to disable the setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong>: Click on the Start<\/em> menu button.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Step 2<\/strong>: Type Privacy Settings<\/em> into the search bar and click on the result with the lock next to it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note:<\/strong> Windows 11 has an extra step, you need to click on Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu before moving on to the next step.<\/p><\/div>
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Step 3:<\/strong> From the menu on the left choose Inking and Typing personalization<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Step 4:<\/strong> Toggle the switch off under Getting to Know You<\/em>. The keylogger is now off.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note:<\/strong> If you\u2019re using Windows 11, you\u2019ll find the off switch under Custom Inking and typing dictionary. <\/p><\/div>
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Why Keyloggers Pose A Threat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is keyloggers don\u2019t damage your device or OS. The bad news is cybercriminals can use them for malicious purposes<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n