Several Windows applications will have access to the Location feature in Windows. Sometimes this feature can be helpful for reminders, maps, and other applications that require to track your location so that you can get more relevant information. However, if you are concerned about your privacy, then you can disable the location feature for applications. There are several different methods through which you can configure the location access for applications.

How to Prevent Apps from Accessing Location on Windows 10? - 1

Location access for applications

Disabling Location Access for Apps through Windows Settings

Windows Settings is a component of Microsoft Windows that allows the users to customize and configure their operating system. This is similar to the control panel but in a much better-categorized way. You can find all the privacy-related options by simply going to the privacy setting. Location access can be found under the app permissions in the privacy setting. This is the default way to configure this setting.

  1. Press the Windows + I key together to open the Windows Settings . Click on the Privacy setting at the bottom. Opening Privacy settings in Windows Settings
  2. Scroll down and click on the toggle for Allow apps to access your location option to turn it Off . You can also set a default location when location detection is turned off. There is also an option for clearing the location history and disabling location for specific applications. Changing the location settings
  3. Changing the setting to Off will stop the access of location for all applications.

Disabling Location Access for Apps through the Local Group Policy Editor

If for some reason you are unable to use the above method, then the Local Group Policy Editor is a better choice to disable location access for applications. The Local Group Policy Editor has all the settings that users can configure for their operating system.

However, Group Policy Editor is not available in the Windows Home Edition. So, if you are using Windows Home Edition, then skip this method.

If your system has the Local Group Policy Editor , then follow the below guide:

  1. Open a Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R key together. Now type “ gpedit.msc ” and press the Enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor . Opening Local Group Policy Editor
  2. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Privacy Navigating to the setting
  3. After that, double-click on the “ Let Windows apps access location ” setting. Select the Enabled option and set the below options as needed. You can set one of the three options as the default for all apps. You can also set these three options for any specific application by adding the Package Family Name (PFN) in the box.
  4. Once you are done with all the configuration, click on the Apply/Ok button to apply the changes. Changing the setting
  5. To find the Family Package Name (PFN) , search PowerShell through the Windows search feature, and right-click on it to choose Run as administrator . Now type the following command to find the PFN: Get-AppxPackage -Name “Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge” Finding the Package Family Name
  6. In the above command, Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge is a package name . You can find all of the package names through this command: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName Finding all the package names on your system
  7. By adding the Package Family Names (PFNs) in the Force Deny box, it will disable the access of location for those applications.

Disabling Location Access for Apps through Registry Editor

Users who do not have the Local Group Policy Editor on their systems can try the same setting by using the Registry Editor. The only difference is that in the Registry Editor, users are required to create the missing keys/values for that specific setting.

Note : You can also create a backup of your registry by the export feature before applying any new changes.

Follow the below steps to check how disabling location access for applications is done through Registry Editor:

  1. Hold the Windows key and press R to open a Run dialog on Windows. Then type “ regedit ” in the text field and press Enter or click the Ok button to open the Registry Editor . Choose Yes for the User Account Control prompt. Opening the Registry Editor
  2. Navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor. If the key is missing, then just create it as shown in the below screenshot: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy Creating missing key
  3. After that right-click on the right pane of the key and choose New > DWORD (32-bit Value) . Name it as “ LetAppsAccessLocation “, double-click on it to open and change the value data to 2 . Note : The setting through this value will be considered as a default for all applications. For the user in control you can write 0 , for the force allow you can write 1 , and for force deny you can write 2 as the value data. Creating a default value for all applications
  4. You can also create three different values that will work as the boxes option in the Group Policy Editor for specific applications. Therefore, right-click on the right pane and choose New > Multi-String Value option.
  5. For user in control value, name it as “ LetAppsAccessLocation_UserInControlOfTheseApps “. For force allow , name it as “ LetAppsAccessLocation_ForceAllowTheseApps “. And for the force deny , name it as “ LetAppsAccessLocation_ForceDenyTheseApps “. Creating values for different options
  6. Now for the specific setting, open any of these three values and put the Package Family Names (PFNs) in it. Then that setting will apply only for that specific application. After all the changes, restart your system to let the changes take effect. Note : However, do not put the same PFNs in each one. The screenshot is just to give you the idea. Adding the Package Family Name in any one of the value

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”

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Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.

Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:

1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way

If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.

Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.

How to Prevent Apps from Accessing Location on Windows 10? - 3

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).

If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.

Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
  3. Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
  4. Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
  5. After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  6. Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options

2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account

If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .

We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).

If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.

Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
  3. Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
  4. In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
  5. Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
  6. Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
  7. On the next screen, click Next .
  8. When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
  9. Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
  10. Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.