Building a Better Privacy Toolkit for Windows — From Script to Desktop App

November 01, 2025

Notes, ideas, and experiments — a place to ramble about what I’m building and learning.

🧭 The Problem

Modern Windows systems collect a lot of data, and for most users, managing privacy feels overly complicated.
Even those who want to limit telemetry or remove bloatware often face hidden settings or complex tools.

That’s what inspired me to create the Windows 11 Privacy Toolkit — a menu-driven PowerShell utility that helps users take control of their privacy, reduce data collection, and clean up their systems safely and transparently.

🔗 View the project on GitHub →

⚙️ What the Toolkit Does

• Menu-based interactive interface — no coding required
• Safely disables telemetry, tracking, and background services
• Removes unwanted default apps (with safety checks)
• Automatically creates a system restore point before making changes
• Controls Edge, OneDrive, and startup behavior
• Logs actions and provides rollback options

The goal is to give users clear, reversible control over their system’s privacy — without guesswork.

💡 Why Start with PowerShell?

PowerShell offers direct access to the components that control Windows behavior.
Starting with a script made sense because it’s:

• Lightweight and easy to distribute
• Transparent (users can read what it does)
• Familiar for IT admins and power users
• Perfect for rapid iteration

But not everyone is comfortable running scripts — and that’s where the next phase begins.

🖥️ What’s Next: A Desktop App for Everyone

I want to make privacy control accessible to every Windows user, not just power users.
The next step for this project is a Python-based desktop app — an intuitive graphical interface that wraps the PowerShell logic in a user-friendly experience.

Why Python?

• Great libraries for desktop UIs (PyQt, Tkinter, custom Tk, etc.)
• Easy to maintain and distribute
• Can integrate the PowerShell backend for actual system actions

Planned features include:

• Simple, toggle-based interface for privacy settings
• Preset modes (e.g., Safe, Balanced, Aggressive)
• Built-in help and explanations for each feature
• Automatic restore point creation and rollback options
• Update checks and configuration backups

The idea is simple: make privacy control easy, safe, and transparent for everyone.

🧱 Roadmap

Here’s how I see the next versions evolving:

1. Modular backend – separate PowerShell functionality into callable scripts
2. Python GUI prototype – PyQt/Tkinter-based app for accessibility
3. Installer or portable build – easy setup for non-technical users
4. Community testing & feedback – refine UX and safety features
5. Documentation & screenshots – clear, approachable onboarding

I’ll continue maintaining the PowerShell version for administrators and advanced users while developing the GUI in parallel.

🧠 Lessons Learned

• Privacy tools need to balance power with safety.
• Clear logging and rollback options build user trust.
• Even small system tweaks can have unexpected side effects — testing matters.
• Accessibility is as important as functionality.

What started as a script for my own machine has grown into something much larger — a tool that might actually help others feel more in control of their systems.

🚀 Closing Thoughts

The Windows 11 Privacy Toolkit began as a small side project.
Now, it’s evolving into a full toolset that empowers users of all skill levels to take back control over their data.

If you’re curious or want to contribute, check it out:
👉 https://github.com/willj4945/windows_privacy

Thanks for reading — and as always, thanks for joining me on this rambling journey.
Stay curious ✨
— Will