Find Windows Telemetry Registry Keys in Regedit

This guide explains how to locate and configure the Windows telemetry and diagnostic data logging level settings using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). Managing these keys allows system administrators to adjust the volume of diagnostic, usage, and binary logging data Windows transmits to Microsoft.

Registry Location for Telemetry Configuration

To configure the diagnostic data logging level, open Regedit (Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter) and navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection

(Note: Depending on your Windows version and whether policies have been applied via Group Policy, you may also find default system values under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection.)

Telemetry Configuration Values

Inside the DataCollection key, the primary value controlling binary diagnostic logging is a 32-bit DWORD named AllowTelemetry.

If the value does not exist, you can create it by right-clicking in the right pane, choosing New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and naming it AllowTelemetry.

The diagnostic levels are defined by setting the value data to one of the following integers:

• 0 - Security / Diagnostic Data Off: Telemetry is restricted to minimal security-related data. (Officially supported only on Windows Enterprise, Education, and IoT editions).
• 1 - Basic / Required Diagnostic Data: Sends a basic set of data that is critical for understanding the device and identifying quality issues.
• 2 - Enhanced Diagnostic Data: Collects additional information, such as how Windows and apps are used, device performance, and advanced reliability metrics (Windows 10 only).
• 3 - Full / Optional Diagnostic Data: Collects all diagnostic data, including binary logs, advanced diagnostic files, memory state during crashes, and device health reports.

Related Telemetry Service Keys

The underlying binary diagnostic logging service—known as the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service (formerly DiagTrack)—stores its runtime parameters at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DiagTrack

Modifying the Start value in this key determines whether the telemetry service runs automatically (2), manually (3), or is disabled (4).

After modifying any of these registry keys, restart the computer or restart the DiagTrack service for the new diagnostic logging configuration to take effect.