Windows 11 Pro – Next-Level Local-Only Hardening

adminAdmin, Windows

Windows 11 Pro: Next-Level Hardening (Local-Only Workstation Mode)

This guide locks Windows 11 Pro into a low-telemetry, cloud-isolated configuration suitable for professional workstations, labs, and security-conscious environments.

Scope: Windows 11 Pro Audience: Sysadmins, engineers, power users Result: Minimal telemetry, no consumer cloud features, predictable local behavior

1) Reduce Windows Telemetry to Minimum

Windows 11 Pro cannot fully disable telemetry, but this sets it to the lowest supported level.
  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration
└ Administrative Templates
  └ Windows Components
    └ Data Collection and Preview Builds
  3. Set:
    • Allow Telemetry → Enabled → 0 – Security
    • Disable pre-release features → Enabled
    • Do not show feedback notifications → Enabled

2) Disable Diagnostic & Feedback Services

sc stop DiagTrack
sc config DiagTrack start=disabled

sc stop dmwappushservice
sc config dmwappushservice start=disabled

These services handle telemetry upload and diagnostic push data.

3) Disable Advertising ID & Consumer Profiling

  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration
└ Administrative Templates
  └ System
    └ User Profiles
  3. Set Turn off advertising ID → Enabled

4) Disable Cloud Search, Web Results & Cortana Hooks

  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration
└ Administrative Templates
  └ Windows Components
    └ Search
  3. Set all of the following to Disabled:
    • Allow Cortana
    • Allow search and Cortana to use location
    • Allow web search
    • Allow cloud search

5) Disable Windows Copilot & AI Cloud Assistants

  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration
└ Administrative Templates
  └ Windows Components
    └ Windows Copilot
  3. Set Turn off Windows Copilot → Enabled

6) Lock Down Microsoft Edge (Local Browser Mode)

  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration
└ Administrative Templates
  └ Microsoft Edge
  3. Set:
    • Disable synchronization of data → Enabled
    • Enable shopping assistant → Disabled
    • Show feature recommendations → Disabled
    • Allow personalization reporting → Disabled

7) Enforce Local Accounts Only

This prevents Microsoft identity usage entirely. 
Computer Configuration
└ Windows Settings
  └ Security Settings
    └ Local Policies
      └ Security Options
        └ Accounts: Block Microsoft accounts
            → Users can’t add or log on with Microsoft accounts

8) Optional: Block Microsoft Telemetry Endpoints (Firewall)

Create outbound firewall rules for known telemetry domains if your environment allows it: 
vortex.data.microsoft.com
settings-win.data.microsoft.com
telemetry.microsoft.com
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com

Best handled via perimeter firewall or DNS sinkhole (Pi-hole / Unbound).

Verification Checklist

  • No OneDrive process or Explorer entry
  • Search shows local files only
  • Copilot icon absent
  • No Microsoft account sign-in allowed
  • DiagTrack service disabled
Result: Windows 11 Pro behaves like a traditional workstation OS — predictable, local, low-noise, and update-resilient.
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“All the way” PowerShell hardening script

$14.95

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Description

“All the way” PowerShell hardening script (Admin, idempotent, backups)

What it does:

  • Disables OneDrive file sync (policy) + optional uninstall trigger

  • Disables consumer experiences, tailored experiences, ads ID

  • Minimizes diagnostics to lowest supported on Pro (Required) and disables feedback prompts

  • Disables web search and “cloud search” style toggles (where available)

  • Disables Copilot (policy) and optionally attempts to remove the Copilot appx (build-dependent)

  • Disables clipboard history/sync

  • Hardens Edge sync/personalization

  • Disables telemetry services (DiagTrack, dmwappushservice)

  • Exports policy registry backups before changes

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