Microsoft Copilot is tracking more than you think — here’s how to stop it

Microsoft has introduced a new privacy-related setting in Microsoft Copilot that is drawing attention from users concerned about how their data is handled. The feature, called “Microsoft usage data,” allows Copilot to gather information about your activity across Microsoft services in order to personalize responses. While personalization can make the AI assistant more helpful, the fact that this setting is enabled by default has raised concerns about transparency and user consent. The setting appears in the Memory section of Copilot’s configuration page. When turned on, it allows Copilot to use signals from other Microsoft products, including Bing searches, browsing behavior in Microsoft Edge, and potentially activity across other Microsoft services tied to your account. This information helps Copilot tailor answers based on how you use Microsoft’s ecosystem. For example, if you frequently search for certain topics or use specific tools, Copilot may adapt its responses accordingly.

The concern for many users is not necessarily that personalization exists, but that the scope of data collection is not clearly explained and that the feature is automatically enabled. Some users worry that pulling in activity from multiple services creates a broader data footprint than they are comfortable with. Even if someone uses Copilot sparingly, their broader Microsoft account activity could still influence how the AI functions. Fortunately, the setting can be turned off fairly easily. To disable it, visit copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click your profile icon, open Settings, and navigate to the Memory section. There, you will find the toggle labeled “Microsoft usage data.” Switching this off prevents Copilot from using activity data from other Microsoft services. You can also delete previously stored memory from the same section if you want to clear what has already been collected.

It is important to note that turning off this feature does not stop all data collection by Microsoft. It only prevents Copilot from integrating cross-service usage data into its AI personalization system. Users who want more comprehensive privacy controls should also review their broader Microsoft account privacy settings, as well as telemetry and browser data options in Windows and Microsoft Edge. After disabling the setting, Copilot may feel less personalized, since it will rely only on the information provided directly within conversations. However, for users who prioritize privacy and data minimization, this tradeoff may be worthwhile. As Microsoft continues expanding Copilot across Windows and its cloud services, privacy settings like this one will likely become increasingly important. Reviewing and adjusting them ensures that users remain in control of how much data their AI assistant can access and use.

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