ActivityHistoryEnabled
Setup Foundry creates a `DWORD` (`REG_DWORD`) value of `0` at this location.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy\ActivityHistoryEnabled
Setup Foundry creates a DWORD (REG_DWORD) value of 0 at this location. However, Microsoft does not document a supported meaning for ActivityHistoryEnabled at this registry path or map it to the Windows setting “Store my activity history on this device.” It therefore cannot be confirmed that this value disables activity history.
This key is also not the Windows default user profile from which new user profiles are created. HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT is a separate system hive. The actual default user profile is stored in C:\Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT and, according to Microsoft, is not loaded under HKEY_USERS by default. Consequently, placing the value at this path does not by itself propagate it to newly created user profiles.
Microsoft’s documented policies for the activity feed and for publishing or uploading user activities use different values under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System. Their behavior must not be attributed to ActivityHistoryEnabled.
Notes
Security
Windows activity history can store information locally about apps and services used, files opened, and websites visited. There is no verified Microsoft documentation showing that a value of 0 at the specified path prevents this storage for signed-in users. The value should therefore not be treated as an established privacy or security control.
Creating the value does not delete activity history that has already been stored. Microsoft documents deletion of existing activity data as a separate operation.
Notes
For a process whose security context has no loaded user hive, HKEY_CURRENT_USER can be mapped to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT. Microsoft does not document any such component as consuming ActivityHistoryEnabled, however.
The effect may vary between Windows versions or may be absent entirely because this is not a Microsoft-documented policy setting. In particular, no effect on existing user profiles, future user profiles, or the officially documented activity-history policies can be inferred from this value.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Support: Windows activity history and your privacy
Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – Privacy
Microsoft Learn: Customize the default user profile by using CopyProfile