19.7.7.5 Ensure 'Turn off Spotlight collection on Desktop' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This policy setting removes the Spotlight collection setting in Personalization, rendering the user unable to select and subsequently download daily images from Microsoft to the system desktop.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled

Enabling this setting will help ensure your data is not shared with any third party. The Windows Spotlight feature collects data and uses that data to display images from Microsoft.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled :

User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Cloud Content\Turn off Spotlight collection on Desktop

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template CloudContent.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 11 Release 21H2 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Impact:

The Spotlight collection feature will not be available as an option in Personalization settings, so users will not be able to download daily images from Microsoft.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/15301

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7b.

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: d145bc060d8014058a460def2e86c831cc692a119312f5db2f7d9b0509aea971