Disable Windows activity history: PublishUserActivities and EnableActivityFeed
Short answer
UpdatedActivity history records which apps and files you open so Windows can show a timeline and sync it to your Microsoft account. These three policy values switch the recording, the feed and the upload off. In the registry it sets PublishUserActivities to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System, and 2 more values.
HKLMSOFTWARE\
PublishUserActivitiesNot set0
What it does
Activity history records which apps and files you open so Windows can show a timeline and sync it to your Microsoft account. These three policy values switch the recording, the feed and the upload off.
In the app the switch is called "Disable Activity History", described there as: Blocks Timeline/activity logging to reduce background I/O.
When it helps, and when it hurts
When it helps
- Privacy: Windows stops logging what you opened and stops sending it to your account.
When it hurts
- 'Pick up where you left off' across devices no longer works.
What it writes
Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.
| Key and value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
|---|---|---|
| HKLMSOFTWARE\ | 0 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
| HKCUSoftware\ | 0 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
| HKCUSoftware\ | 0 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
From the app's source (activityoff.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked .
The same change by hand
You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "PublishUserActivities" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy" /v "ActivityFeedEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy" /v "EnableActivityFeed" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /freg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "PublishUserActivities" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy" /v "ActivityFeedEnabled" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy" /v "EnableActivityFeed" /freg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "PublishUserActivities"How to undo it
In the app: Yes
Switching it off removes the policy and the two values the tweak wrote.
Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It deletes PublishUserActivities, ActivityFeedEnabled, EnableActivityFeed, so Windows uses its built-in behavior again.
Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.
Verdict
A privacy setting. Do not expect a performance change.
Questions
- What does the "Disable Activity History" tweak change in Windows?
- In the registry it sets PublishUserActivities to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System, and 2 more values. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.
- Is "Disable Activity History" safe to switch on?
- A privacy setting. Do not expect a performance change. The main cost: 'Pick up where you left off' across devices no longer works.
- How do I undo it?
- Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off removes the policy and the two values the tweak wrote.
- Is "Disable Activity History" free in Frozen Tweaks?
- Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.
In the app
- Switch
- Disable Activity History
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
Related guides
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- Low-End PC Gaming Optimization: Getting Playable Frame RatesWhat actually works on a weak PC, in order, including the one upgrade that beats every software tweak combined, and honest limits on what tuning can do.7 min read
More tweak explainers
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Written by
Frost LIVEFounder of Frozen Tweaks, based in Hamburg, Germany. Publishes settings guides for competitive games on his YouTube channel, Frost LIVE.
In the app
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
Frozen Tweaks
Free for Windows 10 and 11
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.
The free Windows app for competitive games.
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Frozen Tweaks runs on Windows. Send the link to your PC and download it there.
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.