Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry Using High CPU

This is not only incredibly annoying, but it is also ILLEGAL.

For a company to collect data, on its customers (or Users), new regulations stipulate that this should be an "Opt-In" choice in order to be legal, NOT Opt-Out.

Sending telemetry to Microsoft should be Disabled BY DEFAULT, and only turned on if the User wants this.

As a previous poster pointed out - you are theoretically given this choice when installing windows, but typical Microsoft, it completely ignores your selection.

(Have you ever logged a Support Ticket with Microsoft? They ask for your "preferred contact method", but it doesn't matter if you choose "Email", they will simply call you on the telephone anyway!)

Microsoft are already in trouble with international regulators over their new "Copilot Plus" PCs and that whole "take screenshots on a regular basis" travesty - but this existing telemetry reporting is just as insidious and still totally ILLEGAL.

Unfortunately, the case is likely to be tied up in the EDPS for years to come before we get any resolution, which will probably be just a monetary fine, which they will easily cover in additional profits in the intervening period.

I will continue to use Linux at home and wherever possible - just a shame that my company needs to use Microsoft PCs, or I would VETO them entirely!

J.

I found this exe file under C:/Windows/System32 and I can't rename it or change its permissions without the approval of group Trusted Installers. Oh, and the Task Scheduler does not contain it either.

You have to take control of the file first (ownership).

Right click and select 'Properties' then the 'security' tab and click 'Advanced'

At the top you will see the owner is 'TrustedInstaller' - click 'change' and make yourself the owner

Close the dialog, right click the file again and then reopen the 'security' tab once more and click 'Edit'

Give yourself read/write permission and then you can rename the file.

Be aware that if you run DISM or SFC Windows will probably 'fix' the 'corrupted' file and you will have to rinse and repeat each time - also some updates might replace it.

So far, it's the only thing that has actually worked for me.

Hey I found a fix, I just went to that file location of that "Telemetry"

In my case it was at : C:\Windows\SysWOW64

1. Renamed "CompatTelRunner.exe" -> "Something.exe"
2. Then Ended the task on taskmanager then it didn't start up.

Of course I am not sure if it will have any long term effects. Do it at your risk :)

this is the only solution that actually worked !!! thank you

I found this exe file under C:/Windows/System32 and I can't rename it or change its permissions without the approval of group Trusted Installers. Oh, and the Task Scheduler does not contain it either.