Windows 10: disable location services - how it works

If you don't want to reveal your location to Windows 10 and the installed apps, you have to deactivate the location services. In this practical tip, we reveal how this works and how you can only block the service for individual apps.

Windows 10: Disable location services completely

If you accepted the "Express settings" in Windows 10 after the installation, the location services are activated. With a few clicks you can turn it off again:

1. Open the Settings app via the Windows start menu or the key combination [Windows] + [I].
2. Then switch to the "Data protection" category.
3. In the "Position" tab, click the "Change" button.
4. Finally, set the "Device position" entry to "Off".

Windows 10: Disable location in individual apps

If you do not want to completely switch off location services, you can only block individual apps from accessing your location.

1. To do this, switch back to the location settings under "Settings"> "Privacy"> "Position".
2. If you scroll down a bit, you'll find a section where you can configure location services for each individual app.
3. If you want to prohibit location sharing, set the slider next to the app to "Off".

Where Windows 10 is still sniffing and how you can improve your data protection, we reveal in the next article.