Why Do Apps Track Your Location on Windows
Weather, Maps, and news widgets frequently use your location to deliver astute results. When you routinely travel from one place to another with your Windows laptop, the location service helps these apps to show accurate information. After all, you won’t want to see New York weather conditions when you are in California.
Windows location services also kick in when you use Google Earth, Amazon (to determine your location for deliveries), and other web services that require your current location to function properly. Using third-party YouTube apps on Windows (such as myTube) requires your location to show local content on the homepage.
However, not every third-party app tracks your location with good intentions. Some apps might track your location all the time for advertising purposes. Windows has a handy Privacy menu to disable location permission for unknown apps on your PC.
Disable Location Permission for Selected Apps
Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys shortcut to open Settings on your Windows PC.
Step 2: Select Privacy & security from the left sidebar. Scroll to App permissions > click Location.
Step 3: Check which apps have permission to access your location. Now, disable location permission for apps that seem unnecessary.
You can also see which apps have accessed your location in the last seven days. Click on Recent activity from the same menu to view the app’s name, date, and time for location access.
Turn off Location Access Entirely
Step 1: Open the Location menu in Windows Settings (refer to the steps above).
Step 2: Turn off the Location services toggle.
Delete Location History on Windows
Step 1: Go to Privacy & security in Windows settings and select Location.
Step 2: Scroll down and select Clear beside Location history, and you are good to go. Once cleared, Windows will display a checkmark beside the Clear button.
Set Default Location on Windows 11
Step 1: Open the Location menu in Privacy & security (check the steps above).
Step 2: Scroll to the Default location and select Set default.
Step 3: It will open the default Maps app on Windows. Use the search bar at the top-left corner to pin your precise location.
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Last updated on 08 July, 2024
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