Microsoft Windows 11 GDID identifier exists without user disable option; used in FBI investigation (windowslatest.com)

• GDID is a persistent device ID created upon Microsoft account login.
• FBI used GDID to track a hacker across VPNs and countries.
• No full disable option; local account bypasses GDID.

"Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 generates a Global Device Identifier (GDID) that operates without user consent or a full disable option. The GDID was first publicly documented in an FBI complaint against a Scattered Spider hacker, enabling tracking across VPNs and proxy servers. Independent researchers reverse-engineered the mechanism: the ID is assigned by servers upon Microsoft account login and stored in the registry. It cannot be disabled without breaking Windows activation. The only effective mitigation is using a local account."