Disable advertising ID for this profile
The `Enabled` DWORD value with data `0` is intended to turn off the Windows advertising ID in the affected registry context.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo\Enabled
The Enabled DWORD value with data 0 is intended to turn off the Windows advertising ID in the affected registry context. When the advertising ID is effectively disabled, Windows apps cannot obtain an identifier through AdvertisingManager.AdvertisingId; the API returns an empty string instead.
The advertising ID is a unique identifier associated with a user on a particular device. Apps and advertising networks can use it to associate collected data across apps and provide personalized advertising or other personalized app experiences.
Notes
Additional effects
Apps also cannot use the advertising ID to measure advertising frequency and effectiveness or for features that rely on this identifier to detect fraud and security issues.
This does not disable other identifiers or other forms of interest-based advertising. In particular, the setting does not govern website cookies or independent advertising methods used by Microsoft or third parties.
Possible side effects
Disabling the advertising ID does not necessarily reduce the number of advertisements shown. Ads and other personalized content may, however, be less relevant. If the advertising ID is subsequently enabled again, Windows generates a new identifier rather than reusing the previous one.
Notes
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT is not the template profile used for newly created users. That template is stored in C:\Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT and must be loaded separately under HKEY_USERS when it is edited. Consequently, the value specified here is not automatically copied into new or existing interactive user profiles.
Microsoft officially documents Enabled=0 under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo. Microsoft does not provide equivalent documentation for the path under HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT. An effect on the advertising ID of ordinary user profiles therefore cannot be reliably established for this exact path.
This value is also distinct from the Turn off the advertising ID Group Policy setting. That policy uses the separate value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AdvertisingInfo\DisabledByGroupPolicy.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: AdvertisingManager.AdvertisingId property
Microsoft Learn: Manage connections from Windows components to Microsoft services
Microsoft Learn: Registry Hives
Microsoft Support: General privacy settings in Windows