UsageDataFlushing
This task is part of Windows' internal feature-configuration and controlled-feature-rollout infrastructure.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Identifier: \Microsoft\Windows\Flighting\FeatureConfig\UsageDataFlushing
Setup Foundry disables this scheduled task.
This task is part of Windows' internal feature-configuration and controlled-feature-rollout infrastructure. It initiates processing of buffered usage information made available to that infrastructure when Windows manages feature states.
Microsoft does not publish a task-specific technical description. Its exact triggers, data fields, and internal decision criteria are therefore undocumented publicly. The task does not itself install Windows updates.
Notes
Additional effects
Windows can release features gradually to selected devices and use quality and usage feedback while a rollout progresses. Information processed by UsageDataFlushing can contribute to this internal feature-management process. The affected features vary with the Windows version, build, and rollouts currently in progress.
Privacy and security
Microsoft's public documentation does not establish that this task transmits data over the network itself. Its name alone is not evidence of a direct upload to Microsoft. Windows diagnostic data is collected and transmitted by separately documented components according to the configured diagnostic-data level.
Disabling this task therefore does not stop Windows diagnostic-data collection or transmission in general. It also does not change the selected diagnostic-data level or erase information that has already been stored.
Effects of the change
The task remains registered in Task Scheduler, but its configured triggers no longer start it. Consequently, the feature-configuration usage buffer is not processed or flushed through this scheduled task.
Installed updates, applications, and Windows features are not removed, and Windows Update is not generally disabled. Depending on the Windows build, however, feature management might have stale or incomplete usage information. Feature-state changes or controlled rollouts that depend on this processing could consequently be delayed or fail to take effect. There is no universal user-visible symptom because the result depends on the features being managed on that device.
An instance already running when the task is disabled is not necessarily terminated by the state change. Disabling primarily prevents later trigger-based starts.
Notes
UsageDataFlushing is an internal Windows task with no separate user interface. Its definition—and whether it is present at all—can vary between Windows releases and cumulative updates. Microsoft currently provides no public reference describing its complete internal operation.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Deeper look at running Windows Insider Preview Builds
Microsoft Learn: Configure Windows diagnostic data in your organization
Microsoft Learn: Disable-ScheduledTask