Most people assume that once they close an app, delete their browsing history, or remove recent files, their PC instantly forgets what happened. But that assumption isn’t entirely true — especially on Windows 11.
Deep inside your system, hidden away in a place most users never look, Windows keeps a database that quietly logs your activities. It’s not presented as a privacy risk, nor is it advertised as a feature, but it exists — and once you know where to find it, it becomes impossible to ignore.
In this article, we’ll walk through what this hidden file is, how it works, what kind of information it stores, how to read it using a free tool, and the steps to permanently delete it and reduce future tracking.
Let’s start by understanding what this mysterious file actually is and why Windows creates it.
1. 💡 What Is the “ActivitiesCache.db” File in Windows 11?
Before we jump into the step-by-step part, it’s helpful to explore the purpose behind this file. After all, Windows isn’t secretly tracking you just for fun — there is a system-level reason.
A background on Windows activity tracking
Since Windows 10, Microsoft has used something called Activity History to help the operating system understand how you use the device. This improves features such as:
- Timeline (introduced in Windows 10 and later removed)
- Recent files and app suggestions
- Cross-device history syncing (if enabled with a Microsoft account)
- Recommendation systems within Start Menu and Search
The database that stores this information is called ActivitiesCache.db, and it sits quietly inside your Windows profile.
What kind of data is stored inside?
While you cannot open this file normally, it generally contains:
- App launch timestamps
- File names you open
- Website URLs accessed via certain apps
- Recently viewed items
- Usage frequency of apps
- Metadata of documents
- Background system events
This creates a digital routine — a log of your daily PC usage patterns. Windows uses it to personalize your experience, but for privacy-conscious users, it’s a file worth examining and clearing.
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s move toward the part you’re here for: finding this hidden file on your system.
2. 🔍 How to Locate the Hidden Activity Tracking File in Windows 11
So far, we’ve discussed what this file is. Now it’s time to actually find it. And the first step involves a familiar tool: the Run dialog box.
Before we continue, let’s add a small transition to keep the flow natural.
So far, we’ve done a good job understanding the purpose behind this hidden file. Let’s now move to the next step — locating it on your system.
Step 1: Open the Run dialog
Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard.
This opens the classic Run box used for quickly accessing system paths and commands.
Step 2: Enter the activity history folder path
Inside the Run box, type the following:
%localappdata%\ConnectedDevicesPlatform
This directory stores multiple system-generated items, including the database file where activity logs live.
Press Enter, and File Explorer will open directly inside this folder.
Step 3: Open the folder inside
You may see one or more folders inside named with a system-generated identifier. Click the first (or most recent) one.
Inside it, you will find a file named:
ActivitiesCache.db
This is the “digital diary” Windows maintains — the hidden database holding the activity tracking records.
You cannot open it with Notepad or any built-in Windows tool. The file is locked and structured in a database format. But don’t worry — we’re going to open it using a free program designed for viewing SQLite databases.
Before that, let’s understand what SQLite is and why this matters.
3. 📚 What Is an SQLite Database, and Why Does Windows Use It?
Windows stores this data in a format called SQLite — a lightweight, file-based database format widely used for logging and local storage. Browsers, messaging apps, and even mobile apps use SQLite for saving structured information.
Why Windows likely uses SQLite for activity logging:
- It’s extremely fast
- It stores structured data efficiently
- It requires no server
- It works well for logs, timestamps, and metadata
- It allows Windows to write information continuously without slowing down the system
To open any .db (database) file, you need a viewer that can read SQLite format.
This brings us to the next part: downloading and using a safe, free tool for inspecting the file.
4. 🛠️ How to Open the ActivitiesCache.db File
Now that we know what the file is, let’s move to the next step — opening it. Windows won’t let you read it directly, but a specialized SQLite viewer can.
The most commonly used safe open-source tool for this is DB Browser for SQLite.
Let’s go step-by-step so everything is clear.
Step 1: Download DB Browser for SQLite
Visit the official website:
Download the version for Windows and install it normally.
(If you ever find a platform offering a different version, always prefer the official site.)
Step 2: Open the ActivitiesCache database
Once installed, navigate back to the folder containing this file:
%localappdata%\ConnectedDevicesPlatform\[YourFolder]
Right-click ActivitiesCache.db
Choose Open with → DB Browser for SQLite
This will load the entire log file for analysis.
Step 3: Explore the hidden data
Inside DB Browser, explore these tabs:
- Browse Data
- Tables
- Records
Here you will find entries showing:
- When apps were opened
- Which apps were used
- Activities sorted by timestamps
- File paths
- Browser URLs (in some cases)
- Items accessed recently
- Internal system event records
This is the part that often surprises users — it is the clearest proof that Windows maintains a running log of system interactions.
Now that you know how to read this file, the next question is obvious: how do you delete it?
Let’s get to that.
5. 🧹 How to Delete the ActivitiesCache.db File
We’ve now looked at what the file stores and how to read it. Now comes the most important part — wiping it safely.
Before deleting anything, let’s understand what will happen:
- Deleting this file resets activity history
- Windows will recreate a fresh (empty) version of the file automatically
- Your PC will not break
- No apps will stop working
Deleting it is completely safe.
Now let’s go through the steps.
Step 1: Close DB Browser or any app using the file
Make sure no program is actively reading the database.
Step 2: Return to the folder
Again, open:
%localappdata%\ConnectedDevicesPlatform
Open the inner folder and locate:
ActivitiesCache.db
Step 3: Delete the file
Right-click → Delete
Then empty the Recycle Bin.
This instantly clears your logged activity history.
Windows will automatically create a new blank file as you continue using your PC.
Now that the file is gone, the next goal is even more important — limiting how much Windows recreates.
6. 🔒 How to Reduce Activity Tracking in Windows 11
Deleting the file once is good. But preventing unnecessary logging helps even more.
Let’s look at the built-in privacy settings that let you reduce activity collection.
Before diving into steps, let’s transition smoothly.
So far we’ve done a good job revealing where the hidden file lives and how to inspect or delete it. But if we want long-term privacy, we must reduce how much Windows logs going forward. Let’s move to the next section.
6.1 Turn Off Activity History Syncing
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Activity History
Disable:
- ✔ Store my activity history on this device
- ✔ Send my activity history to Microsoft
This prevents cross-device syncing and reduces local storage usage.
6.2 Clear Activity History from Settings
While still in the Activity History menu, click:
Clear Activity History
This clears the logs Windows displays in its user-facing UI.
6.3 Disable Diagnostic Data (Optional but Recommended)
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & Feedback
Turn off:
- Send optional diagnostic data
Optional data includes:
- App usage
- Browsing behavior
- System configuration logs
- Background event tracking
Required diagnostic data cannot be fully disabled on Windows Home/Pro, but turning off optional tracking dramatically reduces what gets sent to Microsoft.
6.4 Disable Inking & Typing Personalization
Navigate to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Inking & Typing
Choose:
Don’t personalize my typing and inking
This stops Windows from building a behavioral typing profile.
6.5 Disable Search History in Windows
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Search Permissions
Turn off:
- Search history on this device
This prevents search terms from being logged locally.
6.6 Disable File Explorer “Recent Items”
Open File Explorer → Three dots → Options
Clear:
- “Show recently used files”
- “Show frequently used folders”
Then click:
Clear File Explorer history
These steps significantly reduce activity logging and metadata storage across the system.
7. 🧭 Why Does Windows Log Activity at All?
To understand the system better, it’s important to know why Windows does this.
Activity logging supports:
- Start menu recommendations
- File Explorer recent file lists
- Personalization features
- System analytics
- Troubleshooting information
- Cross-device continuity
- App suggestion algorithms
Some users find these useful, while privacy-focused users prefer to disable as much as possible.
Windows still collects some data even after disabling everything, but the amount is far smaller.
8. ⚠️ Privacy Disclaimer
This article explains how to view and remove local activity logs.
It does not allow bypassing “required diagnostic data” sent to Microsoft, which Microsoft mandates for maintaining system health and security.
Enterprise and Education editions offer deeper control through Group Policy.
Users should avoid deleting system files outside the steps mentioned here.
9. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is deleting ActivitiesCache.db safe?
Yes. Windows recreates it automatically with no negative effects.
2. Does this file store passwords or sensitive content?
No. It mainly stores activity metadata — timestamps, file paths, and app usage.
3. Can I prevent the file from being recreated?
Not completely. Windows will always generate the file, but you can reduce the logged content significantly.
4. Does this affect Microsoft Edge browsing history?
No. Browsers store their own history separately.
5. Is the file present in Windows 10 too?
Yes. Activity history existed heavily in Windows 10 due to the Timeline feature.
6. Do third-party apps store similar logs?
Many apps maintain their own logs. This article focuses only on Windows system logging.
10. 🏁 Final Thoughts
Whether you consider this a harmless system feature or an uncomfortable form of background tracking, one thing is now clear: Windows keeps more data locally than most people realize.
By learning where the ActivitiesCache.db file lives, how to open it, what’s inside it, and how to delete it, you gain back a bit of control over your digital privacy. While complete tracking elimination isn’t possible on consumer editions of Windows, disabling unnecessary data collection and clearing logs periodically is a practical way to keep your system behavior private.
Windows 11 offers powerful features, but understanding how to manage your privacy is just as important as knowing how to use the OS itself.
If you’re curious about what else Windows tracks, the system still contains several logs most users never explore — but that’s a topic for another day.
#Windows11 #Privacy #ActivityHistory #TechSecurity #WindowsLogs #SQLite #CyberSecurity #PCPrivacy #WindowsTips
