Windows quietly collects diagnostic data and runs background services related to advertising, syncing and feedback around the clock. On a modern high-spec machine you'd barely notice. On an older laptop with limited RAM and a slower processor, though, these background tasks can take a real bite out of the performance you have available for the things you actually want to do.
Key takeaway: Turning down Windows diagnostic data, background app permissions and ad-related tracking frees up RAM and CPU cycles without affecting how Windows itself runs.
None of the steps below break Windows or remove features you rely on daily – they simply stop optional data collection and reduce the number of apps allowed to run quietly in the background.
Turn down diagnostic data collection
- Open Settings (Windows key + I) and go to Privacy & security.
- Select Diagnostics & feedback.
- Set the diagnostic data option to Required diagnostic data (this is the lowest setting Microsoft allows, and it's enough for Windows to function correctly).
- Turn off Tailored experiences and View diagnostic data related settings you don't need.
- Scroll down and switch off Improve inking and typing if you don't need handwriting features.
Stop unused apps running in the background
- Still in Settings, go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
- Alternatively, visit Privacy & security > Background apps to see everything currently allowed to run behind the scenes.
- Turn off background permissions for apps you rarely open – weather, news, mail apps you don't use, and any pre-installed extras.
- Leave background access on for anything providing notifications you actually rely on, such as your calendar or messaging app.
Before you start: Reducing diagnostic data to "Required" is fully supported by Microsoft and won't stop Windows Update or security patches working – it only limits optional usage data sent back to Microsoft.
Trim advertising and personalisation features
Go to Settings > Privacy & security > General and switch off "Let apps show me personalised ads by using my advertising ID". While this is aimed more at privacy than speed, it also stops a small amount of background data collection tied to it.
Tip: Also check Settings > Privacy & security > App permissions and switch off location, camera and microphone access for any app that has no genuine need for it. Fewer active permissions means fewer background processes checking in.
Why this helps older machines specifically
Background telemetry services and idle apps often wake up periodically to sync or report data, briefly spiking CPU and disk usage. On a PC with a spinning hard drive, that's enough to cause a noticeable stutter while you're working. Cutting the number of processes doing this in the background reduces those random slowdowns and leaves more RAM free for your actual programs.
Reviewing scheduled tasks for extra background activity
Beyond the settings above, Windows also runs a number of scheduled maintenance tasks that can contribute to background load, particularly on older drives. Typing Task Scheduler into the Start menu search box opens a tool where you can review what's set to run automatically, though this area is best approached cautiously – stick to disabling items you clearly recognise as non-essential, such as promotional "customer experience" tasks from third-party software, rather than anything under the Microsoft folder.
Tip: If you share your PC with family members, it's worth revisiting these privacy and background app settings after each major Windows update, since new features are occasionally introduced with their default toggles switched back on.
Taken together, these changes won't transform a struggling PC on their own, but combined with trimming your startup programs and keeping your browser tabs under control, they form part of a sensible, low-effort routine for keeping an older or budget machine feeling responsive day to day. None of them require any technical expertise, and every single one can be reversed in a few clicks if you ever change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
- Will turning off diagnostic data stop Windows Update?
- No, Windows Update and security patching are completely separate from diagnostic data settings and will keep working as normal.
- Does reducing telemetry improve gaming performance?
- It can help slightly by freeing background CPU cycles, but the bigger performance wins for gaming come from driver updates and closing other background apps while you play.
- Is it safe to turn off all background apps?
- Yes, though apps you rely on for live notifications (such as messaging or email) will only update when you open them, rather than alerting you instantly.