How to Disable Location Tracking on Windows 10 and Other Windows PCs

You have often used GPS location feature on your mobile device to instantly find out the current position of the mobile device or to find out the nearby services online using Wi-Fi scanning. Just like mobile devices, laptops or desktop running on Windows operating systems also use this feature. Different people have a different perspective for the location tracking feature on Windows PC (especially Windows 10). Some said it is helpful, while some people also said that it might be dangerous. Because location data stored in a database can be exploited by cyber criminals. So, many Windows users came up to find out how to disable location tracking on Windows 10 and others Windows PCs.

How to Disable Location Tracking on Windows 10 for Entire Device:

Here are the steps you can follow to disable location tracking on Windows 10. Let’s do this:

1. First click on Start icon, then open Settings on Windows 10.

2. Click on Privacy button.

3. Click on Location from the left panel.

4. Now, click the Change button under the “Allow access to location on this device” section and then toggle off the Location for this device.

After the successful completion of these necessary steps, the location tracking for the entire device is completely turned off.

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How to Disable Location Tracking for Specific Apps Using Settings

You can also disable location for any specific apps or all apps that are installed in your computer system.

Disable location option for all installed apps:

To prevent apps from accessing your current location, follow the same steps as above:

1. Click on Start button and open Settings.

2. Open Privacy section.

3. Click on Location.

4. Toggle off location option under the “Allow apps to access your location” section.

Disabling Location for Any Specific App:

To disable location per app, implement these steps:

1. Click on Start button and open Settings.

2. Open Privacy section.

3. Click on Location.

4. Toggle off location option under the “Choose which apps can access your precise location” section for any specific app that you wish.

Once these steps complete, the installed apps will no longer have access to the location of your device.

Clear Location History of Your Device

Okay, location access has been disabled but still the location history will continue to be stored on your device. This will be automatically deleted as the time passes, but you can delete it manually.

Follow the following steps to delete location history on Windows 10.

1. Click on Start button and open Settings.

2. Open Privacy section.

3. Click on Location.

4. Under the “Location history” section, click the Clear button.

This will delete all location history completely, which are saved on your device. But remember, these steps will only disable tracking on your account. If you share your device with other people, they must also turn off this option in their accounts.

How to Turn Off Location Services on Windows 7 & 8

Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system additionally have support for Location Services. It is known as “Location Sensing”  in these operating systems.

If you don’t know, location tracking is ON by default in Windows 10 and it’s disabled by default in Windows 7 and Windows 8. There are certain pieces of desktop and laptop hardware can come with location sensors installed. In that case, you can choose to disable the sensors(s) manually.

Here is following steps to disable “Location Sensing” on Windows 7.

1. Click on “Start” menu on Windows 7 and 8.

2. Type “sensor” in the search box.

3. Click on “Enable location and other sensors.” You can check location history as well. Click on “View location activity” to do so.

4. You will see all installed and enabled sensors. Click on the checkbox next to them to turn off.

5. Next, click on “Apply.”

Here is following steps to disable “Location Sensing” on Windows 8:

1. Open the “Control Panel.”

2. Click on “Location Settings.”

3. To disable this feature, unchecked the “Turn on the Windows location platform”.

4. Click on “Apply.”

Why Should You Disable The Location Tracking On Windows 10?

You know it will give the best result on the web when you are searching for something online but you should know the negative aspect of location tracking as well. If the location service is ON on your computer Windows 10 as well as websites you are visiting, can track your location. Because Windows 10 can use Location Services to pinpoint your location through WiFi positioning, as well as by analyzing your device’s IP address.

Wait, it does not mean that Microsoft is keeping eyes on where you are. But it does mean that cybercriminals can exploit the location data stored in a database.

If you have mistakenly allowed any third-party malicious apps to access the location (if you’ve authorized that, naturally) then it might cause some serious privacy concern. Today, even the Windows App Store isn’t safe from malware-infested apps.

Also, all your tracking information will be saved in a server database that also occupies a considerable space. You can delete it to save the extra space on your computer.

Conclusion:

Everything has two faces, the good and the bad. The positive side is when you install Windows 10 operating system into your machine by default location tracking is enabled. It helps you when you are surfing on the web. It provides accurate results for maps and web. You can monitor your activity continuously. On Windows 10, location-based reminders, maps, shopping, restaurants, and other apps require to track your location to provide you the best result you are looking for. The negative aspect of turning ON location tracking might cause data theft. Stored location data on the database can be exploited by cyber criminal. So, if you are more concerned about privacy, then you can easily turn Location Tracking off on Windows 10. If not, enjoy life.