Cannot join Insider Program in Settings, despite optional diagnostic data being enabled

Question

I am registered (on the web) for the Windows Insider Program, however when I go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, I only get the message that I need to turn on optional diagnostic data. However, optional diagnostic data _is_ enabled. This happens on two different and very unlike computers.

I tried:

• Toggling the setting off and on again, rebooting
• Checking registry for AllowTelemetry settings
• Updating to latest update via Windows Update
• The fix posted in this forum for the channel picker not showing (bcdedit)

All to no avail.

Windows versions are 21H1 build 19043.1151 and 20H2 19042.1151.

Answer 1

Hello Tealstar,

First try deleting the entire WindowsSelfHost Key. It will be rebuilt on reboot.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost

As for the registry entries, there are technically two different locations depending on how the settings are applied.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection is the location the AllowTelemetry value is set if it is configured by policy (i.e., InTune, ConfigMgr, Group Policy, etc.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection is the location the AllowTelemetry value is set when you make a change via the UI

The first will have precedence over the second. If you have no entry in the first location (which consumer devices shouldn't), it means your device does not have a policy applied to that device for that setting from a management tool. Thanks Eddie for this info.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection

If you do not have such a Registry key, then just create it. You might have to clear out the values for the first key above.

There you need to create a new a 32-bit DWORD value named AllowTelemetry and set it to one of the following values.

0 - Security Diagnostic Data Off

1 - Basic Required Diagnostic Data

2 - Enhanced (Value Removed)

3 - Full Optional Diagnostic Data

Regards,

Answer 2

The wonder of windows. Nice it all worked out. Have a great day.

Answer 3

Thanks Johnny, I checked both AllowTelemetry locations. The other tips look helpful as well but for me it just suddenly started working today without any changes.

Answer 4

So a day later it just suddenly works, didn't reboot or anything, computer just went to sleep and when it woke up again the next day it works -shrug-