The new function of Windows 10 may be unnecessary for some or even very intrusive since it keeps the history of user activities. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent its execution.
Have you installed the April 2018 Update for Windows 10? Now your activities are recorded! This is the consequence of the new Timeline function of the operating system which creates, in particular, a history of the sites visited with the Edge browser and of the documents opened with the office software of the Office suite. This function is certainly practical, but can be judged as indiscreet by those who do not wish to leave traces and also consumes storage space (even if it is not in industrial quantity). If you don’t need it, here’s how to turn it off:
- Click the Start button, then click Settings icon (gear-shaped).
- In the settings, click Confidentiality.
- Click on Activity history in the left column.
- In the section Clear activity history, Click on the button Wipe off to delete the data collected by the Timeline function. Click on the button OK to validate the operation.
- Then uncheck the box Allow Windows to collect my activities on this PC. If you have a Microsoft account, also uncheck the box Allow Windows to sync my activities on this PC with the cloud to avoid downloading history from other devices.
- To go further in the management of your activity history, click on the link Manage activity data for my Microsoft account located at the bottom of the page. You will then be taken to the Microsoft website and have to enter your account password.
In the section Confidentiality, click on Activity history. You can then view the recorded activities of all devices linked to your account and optionally delete them from the history kept by Microsoft.