If maximum privacy is required, consider Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora) or Windows 11 on an air-gapped network . Anti-spy tools reduce but do not eliminate Microsoft’s data collection. Appendix A: Full list of telemetry domains (available on request) Appendix B: Script to automate hosts file blocking (available on request)

This report is designed for IT professionals, privacy-conscious users, and system administrators. Date: October 2023 (Updated for 22H2/23H2) Subject: Analysis of telemetry, data collection, and mitigation tools for Windows 11. 1. Executive Summary Windows 11 continues Microsoft’s trend of deep integration between the OS and cloud services. While this enables features like Copilot, Widgets, and personalized ads, it raises significant privacy concerns. Default settings transmit diagnostic data, activity history, and advertising IDs to Microsoft servers.