To disable location services in Windows 10 and 11, open Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R, typing regedit, and navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location. Create a new String value named Value and set it to Deny.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run box
- Type
regeditand press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location - Right-click the empty space and select New > String Value
- Name it
Valueand press Enter - Double-click the new entry and set the value data to
Deny - Click OK and restart your PC
Why Disable Location Services?
Location services in Windows track your physical location using GPS, Wi-Fi networks, and IP addresses. This data gets shared with apps and Microsoft services to provide location-based features like weather updates, maps, and local search results.
During my 10 years running a computer repair business, I had some customers ask me to disable location tracking on their systems. Some were concerned about privacy, while others just didn’t want apps constantly accessing their location. I get it—not everyone needs or wants their desktop PC broadcasting where they are.
Disabling location services through the registry ensures that no apps can access your location data, even if they have permission. It’s a system-wide shutdown that gives you complete control over your location privacy.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press the Windows key and R together on your keyboard to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter. If User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to allow the Registry Editor to make changes to your system.
Step 2: Navigate to the Location Registry Key
In Registry Editor, navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location. You can copy and paste this path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor to get there faster. I’ve also included this path in the video description for easy copying.
Step 3: Create a New String Value
Once you’re at the location key, right-click anywhere on the empty white space on the right side of the window. Select New, then String Value from the menu. Name this new entry exactly as Value and press Enter.
Step 4: Set the Value to Deny
Double-click on the Value entry you just created. In the Edit String window, type Deny in the Value data field. Click OK to save the change.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC for the changes to take effect. After the restart, location services will be completely disabled on your system.
Alternative Method: Using Winhance
If you’re not comfortable editing the registry manually, you can use Winhance, my free Windows enhancement utility, to disable location services with a single click. I built Winhance specifically to make these kinds of system tweaks accessible to everyone, not just people comfortable with registry editing.
Winhance handles all the registry modifications for you and shows exactly what changes it’s making before applying them. It’s the same tool I use when setting up Windows systems, and it includes dozens of other privacy and performance tweaks beyond just location services.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open or shows an error
Solution: Make sure you’re logged in with an administrator account. If Registry Editor is blocked by group policy, you’ll need to contact your system administrator or use alternative registry modification methods.
Problem: The location key doesn’t exist in my registry
Solution: This can happen on some systems. You can manually create the full path by right-clicking and selecting New > Key for each missing folder in the path.
Problem: Apps still ask for location permission after making this change
Solution: Some apps may still display location permission prompts, but they won’t be able to access your actual location data. The registry change blocks access at the system level.
Problem: I need to re-enable location services
Solution: Navigate back to the same registry key, delete the Value entry you created, and restart your PC. Location services will be re-enabled with default settings.
FAQ
Will disabling location services break any Windows features?
Most Windows features will work fine, but location-based services like weather updates, map directions, and “Find My Device” won’t function. Apps that rely on your location will also stop working properly.
Does this affect my IP address or internet location?
No, this only disables the Windows location services that use GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, and similar technologies. Websites can still detect your general location through your IP address, which is a separate thing entirely.
Can I disable location for specific apps instead of everything?
Yes, you can manage app-specific location permissions through Settings > Privacy & Security > Location. The registry method I showed you is a system-wide disable that blocks all location access regardless of app permissions.
Is it safe to edit the registry like this?
Yes, this specific registry modification is safe and reversible. Just make sure you follow the steps exactly as shown. If you’re worried about making mistakes, I recommend using Winhance instead, which handles the registry changes safely for you.
Does this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, this registry method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The registry path and value names are identical across both operating systems.
Will Windows Update undo this change?
In most cases, Windows updates won’t change this registry value. However, major feature updates occasionally reset certain privacy settings, so you may need to reapply the change after big updates. Similar to how I handle disabling automatic feedback sampling, it’s worth checking after major updates.
