If your Windows PC suddenly becomes slow, starts using high CPU or disk resources, or the fan keeps spinning loudly in the background, there is a good chance that Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry is running. Many users notice this issue because of a process called CompatTelRunner.exe inside the Task Manager.

In this guide, you will learn multiple ways to disable CompatTelRunner.exe and improve overall system performance.

Table of Contents

What Is Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry?

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry is a Windows diagnostic service that collects technical information about your device, installed applications, drivers, and system performance. The collected data is sent to Microsoft servers to help improve Windows updates and compatibility.

The process responsible for this task is called CompatTelRunner.exe. It usually runs automatically in the background during scheduled maintenance or after Windows updates.

Although the service is considered safe and is not malware, many users disable it because of the following reasons:

High CPU usage
High disk usage
Slower PC performance
Privacy concerns
Battery drain on laptops

Disabling the feature does not usually affect basic Windows functionality, but it may slightly reduce Microsoft’s ability to diagnose compatibility issues during future updates.

Disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry (CompatTelRunner.exe)

To disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry (CompatTelRunner.exe) on Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Task Scheduler, navigate to Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience, then disable tasks such as Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser. You can also turn off diagnostic data collection from Settings, disable telemetry services through Services, or use the Registry Editor and Group Policy Editor for permanent changes.

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler

The first and easiest method to disable CompatTelRunner.exe is through Task Scheduler. Windows uses scheduled tasks to run Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry automatically.

To begin, click the Start Menu on your Windows PC. In the search bar, type Task Scheduler.

Once you see the app appear in the search results, click it to open.

If Windows asks for administrator permission, click Yes.

After opening Task Scheduler, you will see a navigation panel on the left side of the window. This panel contains different folders used by Windows to automate background tasks.

You now need to navigate to the correct location carefully.

Open the following folders one by one:

Task Scheduler Library
Microsoft
Windows
Application Experience

Inside the Application Experience folder, you will notice several scheduled tasks.

The most important one is called: Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser

This task is mainly responsible for running CompatTelRunner.exe and collecting compatibility data.

Step 2: Disable Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser

Now that you are inside the correct Task Scheduler folder, you can disable the telemetry task.

Locate Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser in the middle section of the Task Scheduler window.

Right-click the task.
A small menu will appear.
Click Disable.

After disabling the task, Windows will stop automatically running the Compatibility Appraiser process during scheduled maintenance.

You may also see additional tasks such as: ProgramDataUpdater, StartupAppTask.

These tasks are also related to application compatibility and telemetry. You can disable them as well if you want to reduce background activity even further.

Once the tasks are disabled, restart your computer.

After restarting, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Check whether CompatTelRunner.exe is still using high CPU or disk resources.

For many users, this method alone significantly reduces system slowdowns.

Step 3: Turn Off Diagnostic Data Collection in Settings

Windows includes built-in privacy settings that allow you to reduce or disable diagnostic data collection.

This method is very beginner-friendly and works well for most users.

First, open the Settings app.
You can do this by pressing: Windows + I
Inside Settings, click Privacy & Security on Windows 11.
If you are using Windows 10, click Privacy instead.
Now, locate and open the Diagnostics & Feedback section.
Here, you will see several options related to telemetry and diagnostic data.
Find the option called: Send optional diagnostic data
Turn this option off.
Next, disable additional options such as: Improve inking and typing, Tailored experiences, and Diagnostic data viewer.

These settings reduce the amount of information Windows collects and sends to Microsoft.

On some Windows editions, you may only be able to reduce telemetry instead of completely disabling it. This is normal for Home editions of Windows.

After changing the settings, restart your computer to apply the changes properly.

Step 4: Disable Connected User Experiences and Telemetry Service

Another effective method involves disabling the telemetry service directly from the Windows Services Manager.

This service runs in the background and supports diagnostic data collection.

To start, press Windows + R, which opens the Run dialog box.
Type: services.msc
Then press Enter.
The Services window will now appear on your screen.
Scroll down carefully until you find: Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Double-click the service to open its properties window.
Inside the Startup Type dropdown menu, select: Disabled
Next, click the Stop button if the service is currently running.
Finally, click Apply and then click OK.

This prevents the telemetry service from starting automatically when Windows boots.

While you are inside the Services window, you can also look for another service called: dmwappushsvc

If available, disable it using the same steps.

After completing these changes, restart your computer.

Many users notice reduced background CPU usage after disabling these services.

Disable Telemetry Using Registry Editor

This method is more advanced but very effective for permanently restricting telemetry features.

If you are a beginner, follow the steps carefully and avoid changing unrelated registry entries.

Press: Windows + R
Type: regedit
Then press Enter.
When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection
If the DataCollection folder does not exist, you may need to create it manually.
Inside the DataCollection folder, right-click an empty area.
Choose: New > DWORD (32 bit) Value
Name the new value: AllowTelemetry
Double-click the new entry.
Set the value data to: 0
Then click OK.

This value tells Windows to disable telemetry collection as much as possible.

Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

After rebooting, telemetry services should be greatly reduced or disabled, depending on your Windows edition.

Use Group Policy Editor to Disable Telemetry

This method is available mainly on:

Windows 11 Pro
Windows 10 Pro
Enterprise Editions

If you use Windows Home Edition, this option may not be available.

To begin, press Windows + R
Type: gpedit.msc
Then press Enter.

The Local Group Policy Editor window will appear. Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration
Administrative Templates
Windows Components
Data Collection and Preview Builds

Now locate the policy called: Allow Telemetry

Double-click it.
Select: Disabled
Then click Apply and OK.

This policy change instructs Windows to stop collecting telemetry data.

Restart your computer after applying the changes.

This is considered one of the most reliable ways to disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry on professional editions of Windows.

Delete CompatTelRunner.exe Permissions (Optional Advanced Method)

Some advanced users choose to block or restrict the CompatTelRunner.exe file itself.

This method is optional and should only be used if the previous methods do not solve the problem.

First, open File Explorer.
Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32
Locate the file named: CompatTelRunner.exe
Right-click the file and select Properties.
Open the Security tab.
Click Advanced.
Next, click Change beside the Owner field.
Type your Windows username and click Check Names.
Click OK.

Now return to the permissions section and remove execution permissions for the file.

This prevents Windows from running the executable.

Be careful while modifying system file permissions because incorrect changes can affect Windows behavior.

For most users, the earlier methods are more than enough.

Tips & Cautions

Before disabling Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry completely, there are a few important things you should know.

Disabling telemetry may reduce Microsoft’s ability to diagnose update compatibility problems on your PC.

Some major Windows updates may re-enable telemetry settings automatically. You may need to repeat certain steps after feature updates.

Avoid downloading third-party “telemetry remover” software from unknown websites because some tools may contain malware or unnecessary modifications.

Always create a System Restore Point before editing the Windows Registry or changing advanced system settings.

If your PC still experiences high disk usage after disabling CompatTelRunner.exe, check for other causes such as Windows Search indexing, antivirus scans, Windows Update activity, or low storage space.

CompatTelRunner.exe itself is usually a legitimate Windows process. If the file is located outside the System32 folder, scan your computer with Windows Security because it could potentially be malware pretending to be a system process.

FAQs

Is CompatTelRunner.exe a virus?

No. CompatTelRunner.exe is a legitimate Microsoft Windows process used for compatibility and diagnostic data collection. However, malware can sometimes imitate the same filename, so always verify its location inside the System32 folder.

Can I safely disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry?

Yes. Most users can safely disable it without affecting everyday Windows usage. The main impact is reduced diagnostic reporting to Microsoft.

Why does CompatTelRunner.exe use high disk usage?

The process scans files, applications, and system data for compatibility analysis. On slower hard drives or older systems, this can temporarily consume high CPU and disk resources.

Will disabling telemetry improve gaming performance?

In some cases, yes. Reducing background telemetry tasks can lower CPU and disk usage, which may improve gaming performance and reduce lag spikes.

Does Windows 11 still use CompatTelRunner.exe?

Yes. Windows 11 still includes Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry, although some telemetry features are integrated differently compared to older Windows versions.

Will Windows updates stop working if I disable telemetry?

No. Windows Update will still function normally. However, Microsoft may receive less diagnostic information related to update compatibility.