Allow upload of User Activities
This machine-wide policy value determines whether published User Activities may be uploaded.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\UploadUserActivities
This machine-wide policy value determines whether published User Activities may be uploaded. User Activities are activity-history records that can relate to apps and services used, files opened, or websites visited.
The integer value 1 permits uploads, while 0 prevents them. The setting only grants permission to upload activities. Whether activities are created and published also depends on factors such as the separate PublishUserActivities policy, participating applications, and the Windows version in use.
Notes
Security
Allowing uploads can transfer information about device usage to Microsoft services. Depending on the activity published, this information may reveal which applications were used, which files were opened, or which websites were visited. The setting does not grant access to file contents or confer general permissions on users or applications.
Preventing uploads does not necessarily stop activity records from being stored locally. This value also does not control deletion of existing local activity history or activity data previously uploaded to the cloud.
Notes
Microsoft also states that policy changes take effect immediately.
The associated cloud functionality has since been retired. Sending activity history to Microsoft was deprecated by the January 23, 2024 updates for Windows 10 22H2 (KB5034203) and Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 (KB5034204). Consequently, permitting uploads through this registry value does not restore cloud synchronization on affected updated or newer Windows versions. Local activity history is separate from this upload control.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Privacy Policy CSP – UploadUserActivities
Microsoft Support: Windows activity history and your privacy