Most of the computers don’t have a built-in GPS. However, Microsoft has introduced “Location“, a feature that uses IP address and Wi-Fi positioning to predict your location. It is accurate in its task and can be a great alternative to GPS. This is a great alternative to GPS due to its accuracy, and so far, we have had few problems with it. Now, maybe some Windows 11 or Windows 10 users have no idea how to take advantage of the Location service, so with that in mind, we will explain everything you need to know.
How to change Location service on Windows 11
OK, so when it comes to using the Location service on Windows 11, one should not worry too much because it’s very easy to do. The information below will undoubtedly give you the knowledge needed to get things moving.
First, we’re going to look at how to turn on or off the Location service feature whenever you want. Getting this done differs from Windows 10, so keep that in mind.
- Navigate to the Settings area
- Click the Location button
- Turn on or off Location services
- Allow apps to access your location
- Clear your Location history
1] Navigate to the Settings area
The first thing you should do is to launch the Settings app. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I on the keyboard, or take the longer route by clicking on the Windows button on the Taskbar, then select Settings from the Pinned section.
2] Click the Location button
After you’ve launched the Settings app, scroll down to Privacy & Security and be sure to select it. Right away several options will appear at the right of the Settings app. Scroll down a little to locate the Location button and select it.
3] Turn on or off Location services
If you’ve followed the above information to the letter, then you should now see a section named Location Services. Click the toggle button to the right to turn it off or turn it on whenever you want.
4] Allow apps to access your location
OK, so when it comes down to allowing certain apps to access your location, you will want to know that Microsoft gives you full control over this.
To get the job done, navigate back to the Settings app by clicking on the Windows key + I, and from there, go to Privacy & Security > Location. There is a section that reads, Let Apps Access Your Location. You can either turn off this feature or turn it on entirely. Or, you could determine which individual app has the privilege to access your location data.
Below this section, you will see a list of apps, each with a toggle button to the right. You can hit the button to decide if any of the lists of apps can gain access to your location whenever needed.
5] Clear your Location history
If you weren’t aware, Microsoft clears your Location history every 24-hours. However, if you want to have it cleared before the 24-hour limit, then worry not.
Return to the Location settings using the information we’ve laid out above, then scroll down to Location History and click the Clear button right away, and that’s it for that.
How accurate is the Location service in Windows 11?
So, you might be wondering about the accuracy of the Location feature in Windows 11. Well, there isn’t much to worry about. To find out, you will want to check your location by opening the Maps app. Fire up the Start Menu by clicking on the Windows button, then navigate to All Apps.
From there, scroll down until you’ve encountered the M category and locate Maps. After opening, Maps will ask if you want to give it access to your Location. Simply click Yes and immediately check the accuracy by clicking on the Show My Location button.
Read: How does Windows find my location automatically?
How to change Location settings in Windows 10
Is Location in Windows 10 accurate?
You might wonder how good the Location feature of Windows 10 is in determining one’s location without using the GPS. There’s only one way to know if it’s credible; try checking your location.
You can use the Maps app to check your location. So, launch Maps from the Start Menu, click Yes to allow Maps to know your location, and check its accuracy. In my case, it is as accurate as any GPS.
Is it safe? Or can you turn off Location in Windows 10?
You might be wondering is it safe to give Microsoft your location. In most cases, it is safe but Microsoft is just like any other company that gives your location to any app that asks it to do so. But you can control your location by turning off Location or by forbidding certain apps to not use your location (we will discuss, how to do that in this article).
Turning off Location is pretty simple, if you are on the latest build you can enable it from the Action Center. Just click on the Notification icon from the Taskbar and disable Location.
You can do the same from the Settings app in Windows 10. Launch Settings by Win + I and click Privacy > Location. Now, click Change from “Allow access to location on this device” and use the toggle to disable Location.
Allow apps to access your Location
Microsoft gives you full control over your location in Windows 10, you can allow and prevent certain apps from accessing your location. Let’s see how to control that.
Launch Settings by Win + I and click Privacy > Location. Now, to disable all apps from accessing your location, disable the toggle of “Allow apps to access your location“.
To disable certain apps from accessing your location, scroll down a bit and from “Choose which apps can access your precise location” disable apps that you don’t want to give permission to access your location.
Read: How to turn on or off Location Scripting on Windows 10.
Clear Location History
Microsoft clears your history after every 24 hours, however, they give you the control to clear your location history manually. Doing that is very simple, just go to Location settings and click Clear from the “Location History” section. This may not delete every single trace of your location but will clear your device’s location history.
Hopefully, we have helped you in knowing about the Location feature in Windows.
Is using the Location service safe?
You might wonder if it is safe to give Microsoft your location. In most cases, it is safe, but Microsoft is just like any other company that gives your location to any app that asks it to do so. You can control your location by turning off Location or by forbidding certain apps from using it.
Read next: How to Disable Geolocation in Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
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