Microsoft denies Windows 11 background service tracks users without consent
Published On 05 Aug, 2026
A recent social media post claimed that Microsoft quietly added a new background service to Windows 11 that tracks user activity and impacts performance. Microsoft has denied these claims and explained the service’s real purpose, according to Windows Latest.
The service at the center of the discussion is known as “Windows Health and Optimized Experiences” (whesvc), which has been included in the operating system since 2025. The social media post claimed that this service gathers and transmits diagnostic data to Microsoft every 15 minutes.
Scott Hanselman, deputy technical director at Microsoft, confirmed that the service is part of the Windows diagnostic system and collects local performance data—for example, when the operating system detects that the PC is running slow
