“Improve inking and typing” may send samples of your typing and handwriting to Microsoft. You can stop this sharing and clear the words Windows learned from you.
What Are Windows 11 Inking and Typing Privacy Settings?
Windows 11 has two privacy controls with similar names. Each handles different data:
- Custom inking and typing word list builds a personal list of names, rare words, and writing patterns. Windows stores this list to improve suggestions and handwriting recognition.
- Improve inking and typing adds typed and handwritten samples to optional data sent to Microsoft. Microsoft uses these samples to improve recognition, autocorrect, and predictions.
Microsoft says it splits samples into small pieces. It also removes IDs and details that could recreate the original sequence. Turn off this setting if you don’t want to take part.
These controls cover laptop and external keyboards, Microsoft Surface Pens, and compatible Wacom tablets. They’re built into Windows 11.
Prerequisites
Make sure you have:
- A PC running Windows 11
- Permission to change Windows privacy settings
- Access to an administrator if the PC belongs to a workplace or school
- A minute to check both privacy pages, since one control doesn’t change the other
You don’t need Microsoft 365 or extra software. These settings apply only to Windows.
Step-by-Step Guide
Fix #1: Open Inking and Typing Personalization
- Press
Windows key + Ito open Settings.
Expected result: The Settings window opens.
- Select Privacy & security in the left sidebar.
- Scroll to Windows permissions.
- Select Inking & typing personalization.
Expected result: Windows shows the control for your personal typing and handwriting word list.
PowerShell can open the same page:
- Right-click Start.
- Select Terminal.
- Run:
Start-Process "ms-settings:privacy-speechtyping"Expected result: Settings opens at Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization.
Fix #2: Turn Off the Custom Word List
- Find Custom inking and typing word list.
Some Microsoft pages call this the Personal inking and typing dictionary. Check the description if your PC uses different wording.
- Turn off Custom inking and typing word list.
- Read the deletion warning before leaving the page.
Turning off this feature clears the words Windows learned from your input. It won’t affect documents, saved passwords, browser history, or app dictionaries.
- Type a short sentence in Notepad to test your keyboard.
Expected result: Normal typing, the standard Windows dictionary, and basic spell-check still work. Suggestions may be less accurate for names, technical terms, and rare words.
This setting controls only the custom word list. It doesn’t turn off optional diagnostic data.
Fix #3: Disable Improve Inking and Typing
- Return to Settings > Privacy & security.
- Select Diagnostics & feedback.
- Expand Improve inking and typing if it’s closed.
- Turn off Improve inking and typing.
Some Microsoft pages call this setting Improve inking & typing recognition.
Expected result: Windows stops adding typing and handwriting samples to this optional data.
You can also open the page directly:
- Open Terminal from the Start menu.
- Run:
Start-Process "ms-settings:privacy-feedback"Expected result: Settings opens at Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback. This command opens the page but doesn’t change any settings.
Fix #4: Turn Off Optional Diagnostic Data
Turning off optional diagnostic data gives you broader privacy. It also turns off Improve inking and typing, but it doesn’t clear the word list from Fix #2.
- Stay on Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Expand Diagnostic data if needed.
- Find Send optional diagnostic data.
- Turn off Send optional diagnostic data.
- Check Improve inking and typing again.
Expected result: Improve inking and typing is off. Windows may grey out the control because it needs optional diagnostic data.
Windows may still send required data based on your edition, setup, and work or school policy. This switch doesn’t stop every Windows connection to Microsoft.
Fix #5: Review Tailored Experiences
Tailored experiences uses diagnostic data, but it doesn’t control typing or handwriting samples. Its location makes it easy to confuse with the setting you changed.
- Stay on Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Find Tailored experiences or Let Microsoft provide more tailored experiences.
- Expand the section if it’s closed.
- Turn off the control if you don’t want Microsoft using diagnostic data for personal tips and suggestions.
Expected result: Windows stops using diagnostic data for these personal suggestions. This change doesn’t replace the earlier privacy choices.
Configuration
Use this table to choose your privacy level.
| Setting | Turn It Off When | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Custom inking and typing word list | You don’t want Windows learning your words | The learned word list is cleared; standard typing and spell-check still work |
| Improve inking and typing | You don’t want typing or handwriting samples sent with optional data | Sample sharing for this program stops |
| Send optional diagnostic data | You want to reduce optional Windows data more broadly | Optional data stops, and Improve inking and typing turns off |
| Tailored experiences | You don’t want diagnostic data used for personal tips and suggestions | Suggestions based on diagnostic data stop |
Quick Privacy Checklist
- Custom inking and typing word list is off
- You understand that turning it off clears the learned words
- Improve inking and typing is off
- Send optional diagnostic data is off if you want the broader limit
- Tailored experiences matches your choice
- You’ve checked privacy settings in browsers and apps
- You haven’t bypassed work or school policies
- Windows backup or an encrypted external SSD protects your key files
These changes don’t block required diagnostic data, website tracking, Microsoft account activity, browser syncing, or app data collection. Each service has its own privacy controls.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Fix #6: Check Why Improve Inking and Typing Is Greyed Out
A greyed-out Improve inking and typing switch usually means optional diagnostic data is off. That’s the setting you want when cutting data sharing.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Expand Diagnostic data.
- Check Send optional diagnostic data.
- Leave it off if you want to reduce data sharing.
Expected result: Improve inking and typing stays off and may remain unavailable. You don’t need to change anything else.
Don’t turn optional diagnostic data back on just to use the greyed-out switch.
Fix #7: Handle Organization-Managed Settings
“Some of these settings are managed by your organization” means a work, school, or device policy controls the option. You may see this message on a company PC. An old work account can also cause it on a personal PC.
- Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
- Check whether the PC is linked to a work or school account.
- Check Diagnostics & feedback for an organization-management notice.
- Contact the organization’s IT team if you can’t change the switch.
Expected result: The administrator confirms which data and text-input policies apply. Don’t edit the Registry or bypass Group Policy on an organization-owned PC.
A personal PC can keep policies after you remove a work or school link. Confirm that you meant to remove the account before changing anything else.
Fix #8: Check Both Settings When Personalization Still Appears Active
Windows may still seem personalized after you change one setting. Check both privacy pages because the local word list and sample sharing work separately.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization.
- Confirm that Custom inking and typing word list is off.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Confirm that Improve inking and typing is off.
- Confirm that Send optional diagnostic data matches your choice.
Expected result: Windows no longer keeps your custom word list or sends samples through the optional improvement setting.
Turning off either feature doesn’t usually change the other. The exception is Send optional diagnostic data. Turning it off forces Improve inking and typing off.
Fix #9: Restore Personalized Suggestions If You Need Them
Names and technical terms can become annoying to type after you clear the learned words. You can restore local suggestions without sharing diagnostic samples.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization.
- Turn on Custom inking and typing word list.
- Keep typing or using handwriting input as usual.
Expected result: Windows starts building a new word list. It won’t restore the list you cleared.
You can keep Improve inking and typing off while local suggestions are on. Windows will learn your words without enabling diagnostic sample sharing.
Common Questions
Does Windows 11 Send Samples of Typing and Handwriting to Microsoft?
It can when Improve inking and typing and optional diagnostic data are both on. Turning off either setting stops samples sent through this feature.
What Is Deleted When Personalization Is Turned Off?
Windows clears the custom word list learned from your typing and handwriting. It doesn’t delete files, passwords, browser history, or app dictionaries.
Will Ordinary Typing and Spell-Check Still Work?
Yes. Windows still accepts keyboard and pen input and uses its standard dictionary. Suggestions for names and rare terms may feel less personal.
Does This Stop All Windows Telemetry?
No. These controls cover learned words, typing and handwriting samples, and optional data. Required data has separate controls. So does data collected by apps, websites, browsers, and Microsoft account services.
Does This Require Microsoft 365?
No. These settings come with Windows 11 and don’t need a Microsoft 365 plan.
Do These Instructions Apply to macOS?
No. These are Windows 11 controls. macOS and Mac apps have separate privacy, analytics, dictionary, and input settings.
Quick Reference
| Step | Action | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Inking & typing personalization | Windows 11 personalized vocabulary |
| 2 | Turn off Custom inking and typing word list | Learned names, words, and writing patterns |
| 3 | Turn off Improve inking and typing | Optional typing and handwriting samples |
| 4 | Turn off Send optional diagnostic data | Broader optional Windows diagnostics |
| 5 | Review Tailored experiences | Tips and recommendations based on diagnostics |
Wrapping Up
Fix #3 directly stops optional typing and handwriting samples. Fix #4 is my pick if you also want to send less optional data. Use Fix #2 to clear the words Windows stored.
If the switches stay locked or change again, check for an old work account or management software. Run a malware scan if a personal PC keeps applying policies you don’t recognize.