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windows/privacy/diagnostic-data-viewer-overview.md
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# Diagnostic Data Viewer Overview # Diagnostic Data Viewer overview
**Applies to** **Applies to**
- Windows 11, version 21H2 and later - Windows 11, version 21H2 and later
- Windows 10, version 1803 and later - Windows 10, version 1803 and later
## Introduction
The Diagnostic Data Viewer is a Windows app that lets you review the Windows diagnostic data your device is sending to Microsoft, grouping the info into simple categories based on how it's used by Microsoft. The Diagnostic Data Viewer is a Windows app that lets you review the Windows diagnostic data your device is sending to Microsoft, grouping the info into simple categories based on how it's used by Microsoft.
## Install and Use the Diagnostic Data Viewer ## Install the Diagnostic Data Viewer
You must download the app before you can use the Diagnostic Data Viewer to review your device's diagnostic data. You must download the app before you can use the Diagnostic Data Viewer to review your device's diagnostic data. You can download the app from the [Microsoft Store Diagnostic Data Viewer](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n8wtrrsq8f7) page.
### Turn on data viewing > [!NOTE]
> It's possible that your Windows device doesn't have the Microsoft Store available (for example, Windows Server). If this is the case, see [Diagnostic Data Viewer for PowerShell overview](diagnostic-data-viewer-powershell.md).
Before you can use this tool for viewing Windows diagnostic data, you must turn on data viewing in the **Settings** panel. Turning on data viewing lets Windows store your device's diagnostic data until you turn it off. Turning off data viewing stops Windows from collecting your diagnostic data and clears the existing diagnostic data from your device. This setting doesn't affect your Office data viewing or history. ## Turn on data viewing
**To turn on data viewing** Before you can use the app for viewing Windows diagnostic data, you must turn on data viewing in the **Settings** panel. Turning on data viewing lets Windows store your device's diagnostic data until you turn it off. Turning off data viewing stops Windows from collecting your diagnostic data and clears the existing diagnostic data from your device. This setting doesn't affect your data viewing or history for Microsoft 365 Apps or Microsoft Office.
>[!Important]
>Turning on data viewing can use up to 1 GB (by default) of disk space on your system drive. We strongly recommend that you turn off data viewing when you're done using the Diagnostic Data Viewer. For info about turning off data viewing, see the [Turn off data viewing](#turn-off-data-viewing) section later in this article.
To turn on data viewing, do the following steps:
1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**. 1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**.
2. Under **View diagnostic data**, turn on the **Turn on the Diagnostic Data Viewer** option. 2. Under **View diagnostic data**, turn on the **Turn on the Diagnostic Data Viewer** option.
### Download the Diagnostic Data Viewer ## Start the Diagnostic Data Viewer
Download the app from the [Microsoft Store Diagnostic Data Viewer](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n8wtrrsq8f7) page. To start the Diagnostic Data Viewer, do the following steps:
> [!Important]
> It's possible that your Windows device doesn't have the Microsoft Store available (for example, Windows Server). If this is the case, see [Diagnostic Data Viewer for PowerShell overview](diagnostic-data-viewer-powershell.md).
### Start the Diagnostic Data Viewer
You can start this app from the **Settings** panel.
**To start the Diagnostic Data Viewer**
1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**. 1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**.
2. Under **View diagnostic data**, select the **Open Diagnostic Data Viewer** button. 2. Under **View diagnostic data**, select the **Open Diagnostic Data Viewer** button.
<br><br>-OR-<br><br> 3. Close the Diagnostic Data Viewer. Use your device as you normally would for a few days. Then open the Diagnostic Data Viewer again to review the updated list of diagnostic data.
Go to **Start** and search for *Diagnostic Data Viewer*. ## Use the Diagnostic Data Viewer
3. Close the Diagnostic Data Viewer app, use your device as you normally would for a few days, and then open Diagnostic Data Viewer again to review the updated list of diagnostic data.
>[!Important]
>Turning on data viewing can use up to 1 GB (by default) of disk space on your system drive. We strongly recommend that you turn off data viewing when you're done using the Diagnostic Data Viewer. For info about turning off data viewing, see the [Turn off data viewing](#turn-off-data-viewing) section later in this article.
### Use the Diagnostic Data Viewer
The Diagnostic Data Viewer provides you with the following features to view and filter your device's diagnostic data. The Diagnostic Data Viewer provides you with the following features to view and filter your device's diagnostic data.
- **View your Windows diagnostic events.** In the left column, you can review your diagnostic events. These events reflect activities that occurred and were sent to Microsoft. ## View your Windows diagnostic events
Selecting an event opens the detailed JSON view, which provides the exact details uploaded to Microsoft. Microsoft uses this info to continually improve the Windows operating system. In the left column, you can review your diagnostic events. These events reflect activities that occurred and were sent to Microsoft.
>[!Important] Selecting an event opens the detailed JSON view, which provides the exact details uploaded to Microsoft. Microsoft uses this info to continually improve the Windows operating system.
>Seeing an event does not necessarily mean it has been uploaded yet. It’s possible that some events are still queued and will be uploaded at a later time.
>[!NOTE]
>Seeing an event does not necessarily mean it has been uploaded yet. It’s possible that some events are still queued and will be uploaded at a later time.
![View your diagnostic events.](images/ddv-event-view.jpg) ![View your diagnostic events.](images/ddv-event-view.jpg)
- **Search your diagnostic events.** The **Search** box at the top of the screen lets you search among all of the diagnostic event details. The returned search results include any diagnostic event that contains the matching text. ### Search your diagnostic events
Selecting an event opens the detailed JSON view, with the matching text highlighted. The **Search** box at the top of the screen lets you search among all of the diagnostic event details. The returned search results include any diagnostic event that contains the matching text.
- **Filter your diagnostic event categories.** The app's **Menu** button opens the detailed menu. In here, you can find a list of diagnostic event categories, which define how the events are used by Microsoft. Selecting a check box lets you filter between the diagnostic event categories. Selecting an event opens the detailed JSON view, with the matching text highlighted.
- **Help to make your Windows experience better.** Microsoft only needs diagnostic data from a small number of devices to make big improvements to the Windows operating system and ultimately, your experience. If you’re a part of this small device group and you experience issues, Microsoft will collect the associated event diagnostic data, allowing your info to potentially help fix the issue for others. ### Filter your diagnostic event categories
To signify your contribution, you’ll see this icon (![Icon to review the device-level sampling.](images/ddv-device-sample.png)) if your device is part of the group. In addition, if any of your diagnostic data events are sent from your device to Microsoft to help make improvements, you’ll see this icon (![Icon to review the event-level sampling](images/ddv-event-sample.png)). The app's **Menu** button opens the detailed menu. In here, you can find a list of diagnostic event categories, which define how the events are used by Microsoft. Selecting a check box lets you filter between the diagnostic event categories.
- **Provide event feedback.** The **Feedback** icon in the upper right corner of the window opens the Feedback Hub app, letting you provide feedback about the Diagnostic Data Viewer and the diagnostic events. ### Help to make your Windows experience better
Selecting a specific event in the Diagnostic Data Viewer automatically fills in the field in the Feedback Hub. You can add your comments to the box labeled, **Give us more detail (optional)**. Microsoft only needs diagnostic data from a small number of devices to make big improvements to the Windows operating system and ultimately, your experience. If you’re a part of this small device group and you experience issues, Microsoft will collect the associated event diagnostic data, allowing your info to potentially help fix the issue for others.
>[!Important] To signify your contribution, you’ll see this icon (![Icon to review the device-level sampling.](images/ddv-device-sample.png)) if your device is part of the group. In addition, if any of your diagnostic data events are sent from your device to Microsoft to help make improvements, you’ll see this icon (![Icon to review the event-level sampling](images/ddv-event-sample.png)).
>All content in the Feedback Hub is publicly viewable. Therefore, make sure you don't put any personal info into your feedback comments.
- **View a summary of the data you've shared with us over time.** The **About my data** in Diagnostic Data Viewer lets you see an overview of the Windows data you've shared with Microsoft. ## Provide event feedback
Through this feature, you can see how much data you send on average each day, the breakdown of your data by category, the top components and services that have sent data, and more. The **Feedback** icon in the upper right corner of the window opens the Feedback Hub app, letting you provide feedback about the Diagnostic Data Viewer and the diagnostic events.
>[!Important] Selecting a specific event in the Diagnostic Data Viewer automatically fills in the field in the Feedback Hub. You can add your comments to the box labeled, **Give us more detail (optional)**.
>This content is a reflection of the history of Windows data the app has stored. If you'd like to have extended analyses, please modify the storage capacity of Diagnostic Data Viewer.
![Look at an overview of what data you've shared with Microsoft through the 'About my data' page in Diagnostic Data Viewer.](images/ddv-analytics.png) >[!IMPORTANT]
>All content in the Feedback Hub is publicly viewable. Therefore, make sure you don't put any personal info into your feedback comments.
## View Office Diagnostic Data ### View a summary of the data you've shared with us over time
By default, Diagnostic Data Viewer shows you Windows data. You can also view Office diagnostic data by enabling the feature in the app settings page. To learn more about how to view Office diagnostic data, see [Using the Diagnostic Data Viewer with Office](https://support.microsoft.com/office/cf761ce9-d805-4c60-a339-4e07f3182855). The **About my data** in the Diagnostic Data Viewer lets you see an overview of the Windows data you've shared with Microsoft.
Through this feature, you can see how much data you send on average each day, the breakdown of your data by category, the top components and services that have sent data, and more.
>[!NOTE]
>This content is a reflection of the history of Windows data that the app has stored. If you'd like to have extended analyses, modify the storage capacity of the Diagnostic Data Viewer.
![Look at an overview of what data you've shared with Microsoft through the 'About my data' page in Diagnostic Data Viewer.](images/ddv-analytics.png)
## View Microsoft 365 Apps and Microsoft Office diagnostic data
By default, the Diagnostic Data Viewer shows you Windows data. You can also view Microsoft 365 Apps and Microsoft Office diagnostic data by enabling the feature in the app settings page. To learn more about how to view Microsoft 365 Apps and Office diagnostic data, see [Using the Diagnostic Data Viewer with Office](https://support.microsoft.com/office/cf761ce9-d805-4c60-a339-4e07f3182855).
## Turn off data viewing ## Turn off data viewing
When you're done reviewing your diagnostic data, you should turn of data viewing. This also removes your Windows data history. This setting doesn't affect your Office data viewing or history. When you're done reviewing your diagnostic data, you should turn off data viewing. This also removes your Windows data history. This setting doesn't affect your Office data viewing or history for Microsoft 365 Apps or Microsoft Office.
**To turn off data viewing** To turn off data viewing, do the following steps:
1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**. 1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Diagnostics & feedback**.
2. Under **View diagnostic data**, turn off the **Turn on the Diagnostic Data Viewer** option. 2. Under **View diagnostic data**, turn off the **Turn on the Diagnostic Data Viewer** option.
## Modifying the size of your data history ## Modifying the size of your data history
By default, Diagnostic Data Viewer shows you up to 1 GB or 30 days of data (whichever comes first) for Windows diagnostic data. Once either the time or space limit is reached, the data is incrementally dropped with the oldest data points dropped first. By default, the Diagnostic Data Viewer shows you up to 1 GB or 30 days of data (whichever comes first) for Windows diagnostic data. Once either the time or space limit is reached, the data is incrementally dropped with the oldest data points dropped first.
> [!Important] > [!Important]
> Note that if you have [Office diagnostic data viewing enabled](#view-office-diagnostic-data), the Office data history is fixed at 1 GB and cannot be modified. > Note that if you have [Office diagnostic data viewing enabled](#view-office-diagnostic-data), the Office data history is fixed at 1 GB and cannot be modified.
@ -138,21 +137,20 @@ To make changes to the size of your Windows diagnostic data history, visit the *
Available on Windows 10 (version 1809 and higher) and on Windows 11, you can review additional Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the **View problem reports** page within the Diagnostic Data Viewer. Available on Windows 10 (version 1809 and higher) and on Windows 11, you can review additional Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the **View problem reports** page within the Diagnostic Data Viewer.
This page provides you with a summary of various crash reports that are sent to Microsoft as part of Windows Error Reporting. This page provides you with a summary of various crash reports that are sent to Microsoft as part of Windows Error Reporting. We use this data to find and fix specific issues that are hard to replicate and to improve the Windows operating system.
We use this data to find and fix specific issues that are hard to replicate and to improve the Windows operating system.
You can also use the Windows Error Reporting tool available in the Control Panel. You can also use the Windows Error Reporting tool available in the Control Panel.
**To view your Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data using the Diagnostic Data Viewer** ### To view your Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data using the Diagnostic Data Viewer
On Windows 10 (version 1809 and higher) and on Windows 11, you can review Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the Diagnostic Data Viewer. On Windows 10 (version 1809 and higher) and on Windows 11, you can review Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the Diagnostic Data Viewer.
![Starting with Windows 1809 and higher and Windows 11, you can review Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the Diagnostic Data Viewer.](images/ddv-problem-reports.png) ![Starting with Windows 1809 and higher and Windows 11, you can review Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data in the Diagnostic Data Viewer.](images/ddv-problem-reports.png)
**To view your Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data using the Control Panel** ### To view your Windows Error Reporting diagnostic data using the Control Panel
Go to **Start**, select **Control Panel** > **All Control Panel Items** > **Security and Maintenance** > **Problem Reports**.<br><br>-OR-<br><br> Go to **Start**, select **Control Panel** > **All Control Panel Items** > **Security and Maintenance** > **Problem Reports**.<br><br>-OR-<br><br>
Go to **Start** and search for _Problem Reports_. Go to **Start** and search for *Problem Reports*.
The **Review problem reports** tool opens, showing you your Windows Error Reporting reports, along with a status about whether it was sent to Microsoft. The **Review problem reports** tool opens, showing you your Windows Error Reporting reports, along with a status about whether it was sent to Microsoft.
![View problem reports tool with report statuses.](images/control-panel-problem-reports-screen.png) ![View problem reports tool with report statuses.](images/control-panel-problem-reports-screen.png)