Windows 10: I can't see my Activity History in Privacy & Security

I can turn Activity History on or off and I can seemingly delete it, but there seems no way to view it or edit what I want tracked or not, in spite of all the other findings on the web that tell me that I should be able to see it inside the Settings in my Windows 11. Help!

:)

 

Windows activity history

I would like to disable sending my activity history to Microsoft.

From the Microsoft site:

To stop sending the activity history for your work or school account to Microsoft

1. Do one of the following:
   
   • In Windows 10, select Start , then select Settings > Privacy > Activity history.
     
   • In Windows 11, select Start , then select Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history.
     
2. Clear the Send my activity history to Microsoft check box.
   

ISSUE: There is no check box for "Send my activity history to Microsoft" as described in item 2 above.

Has it been removed? Can I fix it?

Thanks.

 

Privacy and History

Recently I noticed that whenever I search some app on the search bar in the task bar, it shows all the files that I have used with it recently. For eg, when I search for VLC, it shows all the recent videos.

I have turned off "send my activity history to Microsoft" in settings->privacy->Activity History

I have turned off " Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar and in File Explorer Quick Access" in taskbar search settings.

I have turned off "save recently played items" in Vlc->Tools->preferences.

But still, I am able to see my history.

It should also be noted that this history is only shown when using the search bar in the taskbar. If I navigate through start button, I don't see any history.

 

where windows stores the recent activity history?

Windows stores your activity locally on your device, and features like Timeline use this to track the apps and services you use, files you open, and websites you visit. Here's how you can access and manage your activity history:

1. Accessing Activity History: Go to Start -> Settings -> Privacy & security -> Activity history1.
   
2. Viewing Activity History: Your activity history is stored locally, and you can manage what to store in the settings1.
   
3. Activity History File: The activity history is also stored in a database file named ActivitiesCache.db, located in the path C:\Users\%profile name%\AppData\Local\ConnectedDevicesPlatform\L.%profile name%2.