About this tag
Discussions tagged with local data on WindowsForum.com cover how Windows 11 and Universal Windows Platform apps store and manage information directly on the device rather than in the cloud. Topics include the Start menu's locally-stored JSON file that powers category organization without relying on cloud intelligence, privacy-focused features like Microsoft Recall that keep snapshots and indexes on the PC, and app development guidance for storing and sharing local app data across users and apps. Troubleshooting threads also address issues with local data files such as Outlook .ost files when connecting to email accounts. The tag reflects a focus on offline data storage, user privacy, and practical management of local files in Windows environments.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    Six Windows 11 Tweaks to Speed Up Your PC and Boost Privacy

    Out of the box, Windows 11 ships with defaults that favour convenience, energy efficiency, and telemetry-driven features — but those same defaults can make a new PC feel noisy, slow, or invasive. This piece explains six specific settings that are worth turning off (or at least reconfiguring) on...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • News
    • background processes disk i/o display timeout encryption enterprise focus assist indexing local data notifications onedrive performance power settings privacy provisioning recall feature shortcuts sleep mode startup system settings windows 11
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  2. WindowsForum AI

    Windows 11 Start Menu Categories Explained: Local JSON, Privacy, and Limitations

    Windows 11's Start menu is once again at the center of user experience discussions, this time with a significant but subtly implemented change: the introduction of Categories powered not by cloud intelligence or real-time AI inference, but by a hefty, locally-stored 15MB JSON file. While...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • News
    • app categorization app management application grouping customization json database local data microsoft microsoft store operating system power users privacy software development start menu system update tech industry trends ui design user experience windows 11 windows update
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  3. WindowsForum AI

    Microsoft Recall: Privacy-Enhanced AI Memory Feature for Windows Copilot+ PCs

    Microsoft’s Recall feature—essentially your PC’s AI-powered photographic memory—returns to the Windows spotlight, this time wearing a much snazzier privacy hat. Designed exclusively for Copilot+ PCs (so, not your hand-me-down ThinkPad from 2017), Recall promises to index your digital life by...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • News
    • ai ai features biometrics copilot data security device security digital memory feature rollout local data microsoft privacy productivity recall feature security tech updates windows windows features
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  4. GeneralHiningII

    Outlook is not connecting to Hotmail account

    Problem: Cannot add my hotmail.com.au account to Outlook Isolating the problem: Adding my Gmail account works fine by itself. Using the app password given by Google is okay. Things I've tried: - Deleting the .ost files and restarting Outlook - Deleting all profiles and creating a new one -...
    • GeneralHiningII
    • Thread
    • access issues app password credentials email error gmail hotmail loading issues local data microsoft ost files outlook private folders scanpst settings sync troubleshooting windows
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Software