Windows · Privacy & Security
Manage your device activity timeline
Controls whether Windows stores a history of your app and browsing activity locally and, if signed in, syncs it to Microsoft to power features like Timeline-style continuity across devices.
How to open Activity History
- Open Settings → Privacy & security → Activity history
- Toggle 'Store my activity history on this device'
- Toggle 'Send my activity history to Microsoft'
- Click 'Clear' to remove existing stored activity
What you should know
- Toggle whether Windows stores your activity history on this device
- Control whether activity history syncs to Microsoft with your account
- Clear existing activity history for your account
- Manage which Microsoft account activity data is tied to
Why it matters
Activity history creates a record of the apps you've used and documents you've opened, which is convenient for resuming work across devices but also represents a detailed log of your behavior if left unmanaged. On shared or public computers, leaving this enabled can expose your recent activity to the next person who logs into the same account. Clearing it periodically or disabling sync is a simple way to limit how much behavioral history accumulates in the cloud tied to your Microsoft account.
Best practices
- Disable activity history entirely on public or shared computers
- Clear existing history periodically if you keep the feature enabled
- Only sync activity to Microsoft if you actively use cross-device continuity features
- Review this setting after signing into a new Microsoft account on the device
Common problems and fixes
- Old activity keeps appearing after disabling the setting
- Use the 'Clear' button on this page to remove previously stored history; disabling only stops new collection.
- Activity isn't syncing across devices
- Confirm you're signed in with the same Microsoft account and both toggles are enabled on each device.
- Concerned about privacy on a work PC
- Disable both storage and syncing toggles, especially on devices managed or shared with others.
Tips and tricks
- Use the Microsoft privacy dashboard online to review and manage activity data tied to your account from any browser
- Clear activity history before lending your PC to someone else temporarily
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as browser history?
No, it's broader and includes app usage across the OS, though some browsers also contribute activity data if integrated.
Does turning this off delete past data immediately?
No, you need to use the 'Clear' option separately to remove existing stored history.
Who can see my activity history?
Only your signed-in account and, if synced, Microsoft's servers associated with your account; other users on the same device with separate accounts can't see it.
Related settings
- Diagnostics & FeedbackControls how much diagnostic and usage data your device sends to Microsoft, along with feedback frequency, tailored experiences, and options to view or delete diagnostic data.
- Privacy & SecurityPrivacy & Security is the central hub introduced in Windows 11 that groups Windows Security (antivirus and firewall), sign-in options, app permissions, and general privacy controls like diagnostic data and activity history into one settings category. It's the starting point for auditing everything related to your PC's security and data posture in one place.
More Privacy & Security guides for Windows
- Camera PermissionCamera Permission controls which applications are allowed to access your device's camera. Managing these permissions helps protect your privacy and ensures that only trusted applications can capture video or images.
- Microphone PermissionMicrophone Permission lets you control which applications can use your device's microphone. This is essential for maintaining privacy and preventing unauthorized audio recording by untrusted software.
- Windows SecurityWindows Security is the built-in protection center for virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, and device health. It runs Microsoft Defender Antivirus and lets you review recent scans and threats.
- App PermissionsApp Permissions organizes privacy controls by capability rather than by app, letting you see at a glance which installed apps can access location, contacts, calendar, file system, and a dozen other data types. Instead of checking each app individually, you pick a permission type and review every app that has requested it.
- BitLocker Device EncryptionDevice Encryption (built on BitLocker technology) encrypts your entire system drive so its contents are unreadable to anyone without your Windows sign-in credentials or a separate recovery key, even if the physical drive is removed and connected to another PC. It's automatically available on many modern PCs that meet specific hardware requirements, and can be extended to additional drives on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
- Location PrivacyManages whether Windows and individual apps can access your device's location, including the master location toggle and per-app permissions for location data.