How to Enable or Disable App Location Requests in Windows 11

This guide explains how to manage the “Notify when apps request location” setting in Windows 11.

Why: Your computer uses Wi-Fi, cell towers, and GPS to find your physical location. This helps apps provide directions or show local businesses. You may want to control how often these apps ask for your permission to track where you are.

What happens when done: You will either see a pop-up every time an app asks for your location, or you will stop these notifications-on-or-off-in-the-settings-app-on-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="29501">notifications entirely. If you turn notifications off, some apps might stop working correctly because they cannot ask for your permission to use location data.

Location service in Windows helps determine the precise geographic location of your Windows device. The precise location of your device allows apps to give you directions, show shops and restaurants near you, and more.

Prerequisites

Before making changes, ensure you are logged in with an administrator account. If you plan to edit the registry, always create a system restore point first. Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause system instability.

Turn “Notify when apps request location” on or off

You can change this setting using the Windows Settings app. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings. You can also press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Click the Privacy & security button on the left side of the window.

3. Select the Location tile on the right.

4. Look for the “Notify when apps request location” tile.
5. Click the switch to turn it On or Off based on your preference.

Close the Settings app when you are finished.

Global vs. Per-App Settings

Setting Type	Scope	Control Level
Global	Entire System	Turns all location requests on or off.
Per-App	Individual Apps	Allows specific apps access while blocking others.

Managing Location History and Privacy

Windows keeps a record of your location history. To clear this, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location and click the Clear button next to Location history. This prevents apps from accessing past location data stored on your device.

Troubleshooting Inaccurate Location

If your location is inaccurate, ensure your Wi-Fi is turned on, as Windows uses nearby access points to triangulate your position. Check that your Automatic time zone is enabled in Settings > Time & language > Date & time, as incorrect time settings can interfere with GPS and network-based location services.

Use Windows Registry to change settings

Note: This method requires admin privileges. Modifying the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly.

1. Navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location
2. If you do not see the location key, right-click on ConsentStore and create the subkey folder named location.

3. Right-click in the empty space on the right side of the folder. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name this new item ShowGlobalPrompts.
5. Double-click ShowGlobalPrompts. Make sure the Base is set to Decimal.
6. Change the Value data:
   • Type 1 to receive notifications when an app asks for your location.
   • Type 0 to stop these notifications.

Save your changes and restart your computer to apply the new settings.

Summary

Managing your location notifications helps you keep track of which apps are trying to access your physical location. You can easily toggle these alerts on or off through the Windows Settings menu or by editing the Registry for more advanced control. Keeping these notifications enabled ensures you stay informed about your privacy, while disabling them can reduce interruptions.