# How to Disable Windows 11 Location Tracking Completely or Per App

> Windows 11 location tracking shares data with Microsoft's Find My Devices and apps like Google Maps, but built-in settings let users turn off access.

- Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/windows-11-location-tracking-how-to-disable-it
- Language: en
- Section: How To
- Author: Sami
- Published: 2026-10-24T12:01:42+03:00
- Modified: 2026-10-24T12:01:42+03:00
- Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com)
- Keywords: Windows 11, Microsoft, Google Maps, Find My Devices

## Summary

Windows 11 lets users completely disable location tracking, restrict access for individual applications, and clear stored location history through system settings.

- TechViral explains that popular programs like Google Maps, weather apps, and shopping apps rely on location access for relevant results.
- Users can stop all system-wide tracking by navigating to Privacy & Security in Settings and turning off the Location Services toggle.
- Microsoft can still use existing data until users click the Clear button next to Location history in the settings menu.

**Why it matters:** Managing these privacy settings gives users full control over their personal data and stops background tracking by Microsoft and third-party apps.

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Users who do not rely on location-based software or Microsoft's Find My Devices service can disable Windows 11 location tracking completely through the system settings. According to TechViral, popular programs such as Google Maps, weather apps, and shopping apps depend on location access to deliver accurate and relevant results, while Microsoft also tracks location data to power services like Find My Devices.

For those who do not use these features, Windows 11 offers built-in controls to turn off location access system-wide, restrict it for specific apps, and delete previously stored location data.

### 1. Disable Location Access Completely

Users who want to stop all location access across Windows 11 can turn off the main system switch in Settings.

1. **Click** the Windows 11 **Start** button and select **Settings**.
2. **Click** the **Privacy & Security** tab.
3. **Scroll** down to the **App permissions** section and click the **Location** option.
4. **Turn off** the toggle switch for **Location Services**.

### 2. Disable Location Tracking on a Per-App Basis

Instead of shutting off location tracking completely, Windows 11 users can manage location services for individual applications.

1. **Click** the Windows 11 **Start** button and select **Settings**.
2. **Click** the **Privacy & Security** tab.
3. **Scroll** down and click the **Location** option under **App permissions**.
4. **Turn on** the toggle switch for **Location Services** on the Location page.
5. **Turn on** the toggle for **Let apps access your location**.
6. **Turn on** or turn off the switches next to individual apps in the list of programs that rely on location information.

### 3. How to Clear Location History on Windows 11

Turning off location tracking through the first two methods stops new tracking, but TechViral notes that Microsoft can still use existing location data to display relevant information until the location history is cleared.

1. **Click** the Windows 11 **Start** button and select **Settings**.
2. **Click** the **Privacy & Security** tab.
3. **Scroll** down and click the **Location** option under **App permissions**.
4. **Scroll** down and click the **Clear** button next to **Location history**.

## Sources

- [techviral.net](https://techviral.net/location-tracking-windows-11/)

## Related topics

- [Windows 11](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/windows-11)