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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo enable or disable location in Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Location and change Location services. Administrators control location for the whole device; users can manage their account and app access when device-wide services are on.
Turn location services on or off in Windows 11
- Open Start and select Settings. You can also press Windows+I.
- Select Privacy & security in the left pane.
- Select Location.
- Under Location services, switch the setting On or Off.
The device-wide Location services control is available only to an administrator. Nonadministrators do not see this setting, so ask an administrator to change it if it is unavailable.
Control location for your user account
On the Location settings page, Let apps access your location controls location access for the current Windows user account.
- Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
- Make sure Location services is On.
- Switch Let apps access your location to On or Off.
If the page says Location services is off, an administrator must first enable device-wide location services.
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Allow or block individual Microsoft Store apps
When Let apps access your location is enabled, scroll down to the app list and switch individual listed apps on or off. An app’s switch cannot be enabled while user-level location access is off. Windows also shows when an app last accessed precise location.
Allow desktop apps to use location
Traditional desktop applications, including Microsoft Edge, may not appear in the Microsoft Store app list. To allow them to use location, enable Let desktop apps access your location on the Location settings page. Desktop apps generally do not request separate Windows location permission, so they are not listed with Microsoft Store apps.
Manage Microsoft Edge website location access
Windows location permission and Edge’s website permissions are separate controls. Edge also needs Let desktop apps access your location enabled in Windows. To review website permissions in Edge:
- Open Edge location settings.
- Check that the site is listed under Allow, or that the default is Ask (default) rather than Block.
- If the site is listed under Block, remove it from that list if you want to allow or be asked about location access.
An Edge policy may also block sites. Open edge://policy and look for GeolocationBlockedForUrls. On a managed device, an administrator may need to change the policy.
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If Edge still cannot determine location
Edge relies directly on the Windows Geolocation Service. If it cannot determine location, check that the service is running and not disabled.
- Press Windows+R, enter services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Geolocation Service.
- If its status is Stopped and its startup type is Disabled, open its properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic, select Start, then select OK.
- Restart Edge.
Alternatively, from an administrative Command Prompt, run:
sc query lfsvc
sc config lfsvc start=auto
sc start lfsvc
The space after start= in the sc config command is required. If the service becomes disabled again after restarting Windows, Group Policy may be overriding it. To investigate applied policies, run gpresult /h gpresult.html, open the generated report, and search for lfsvc, Geolocation, and System Services.
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Location settings at a glance
| Setting | What it controls | Who can change it |
|---|---|---|
| Location services | Location access for the whole device through Windows Location Services | An administrator |
| Let apps access your location | Location access for the current Windows user | The user, when device-wide services are on |
| Individual app switches | Location access for supported listed apps | The user, when user-level access is on |
| Let desktop apps access your location | Location access for traditional desktop applications | The user, subject to device and organization settings |
| Edge site permissions | Whether a website can request or use location in Edge | The user, unless an Edge policy applies |
What Windows uses location services for
Windows can estimate a device’s location using signals such as GPS, nearby Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers, IP address, or a configured default location. Location-aware apps can use this information, and Windows features such as automatic time zone and Find my device depend on location access.
Turning off Windows Location Services prevents Windows and apps from accessing the device location through that service. Some apps may also lose access to Wi-Fi information used to determine location. This does not guarantee that all software or online services cannot infer location; third-party apps may use IP address, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular hardware, or other signals. Windows may attempt to determine and share precise location during an emergency call regardless of the normal location settings, and a mobile operator can know a device’s location when cellular service is used.
Set a default location
A default location is a fallback Windows, apps, and services can use when a more precise location cannot be detected.
- Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
- Under Default location, select Set default.
- Choose a point on the map or enter an address.
- Select Save.
To remove the default location, clear the address box and select Save.
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Location on Cloud PCs and Remote Desktop
For Allow location override to work, location services must be enabled on both the local and remote devices, the remote-connection app must be allowed to use location on the local device, and Allow location override must be enabled on the remote device under Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
Location history
Windows removed local location-history storage and its related settings in March 2025. If Location services is enabled and you are signed in with a Microsoft account, location may still be saved periodically in the cloud. To clear cloud-stored location activity:
- Go to account.microsoft.com.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Select Clear location activity.
- Select Clear.
Why you may be unable to change location settings
The device-wide switch is missing
Only administrators see the device-wide Location services control. Sign in with an administrator account or ask the PC administrator to change it.
Windows says some settings are managed by your organization
A work- or school-managed PC may enforce location policy. If Windows displays Some settings are managed by your organization, contact the organization’s IT administrator.
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FAQ
Does turning off location services stop websites from knowing my location?
No. It prevents access through Windows Location Services, but websites or other software may infer location through IP address, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data, or other signals. Manage website access separately in your browser.
Why can I not turn on “Let apps access your location”?
Device-wide Location services may be off, or an administrator or organization policy may block the setting. An administrator must enable device-wide services first.
Can I allow location for one app only?
Yes, for a listed app, when Let apps access your location is on. Use its individual switch. Desktop applications may not appear in that list; enable Let desktop apps access your location for them.
Why does Edge not show up in the Windows app list?
Edge is a traditional desktop application, so it may not appear in the Microsoft Store app list. Enable Let desktop apps access your location in Windows and review the site’s separate location permission in Edge.
Does Windows 11 still have a local Location history Clear button?
No. Windows removed local location-history storage and its related settings in March 2025. Microsoft account users can clear cloud location activity at account.microsoft.com.
How do I fix Edge location if its Windows permission is enabled?
Check the site’s permission in Edge, look for an Edge policy such as GeolocationBlockedForUrls, and confirm the Windows Geolocation Service is running and not disabled.
The Bottom Line
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Location to manage Windows 11 location. Use Location services for the whole device, Let apps access your location for your account, individual switches for listed apps, and Let desktop apps access your location for desktop programs such as Edge. Review Edge website permissions separately.
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