Windows 10: Disallow access to Location Services in Windows 10

Hi,


I have sifted the whole net on how to prevent a user from modifying the settings found in the control panel and location services. Basically we have an app that accesses Location Service information and is dependent on this information and thus needs to be available all the time. In a nutshell, we do not want the user to alter Location Service settings.


I have tried both options below in the registry and group policy settings. I'm aware that I can ask the IT administrator to block access to the control panel, but I would prefer not to go down that road. On the other hand, nothing seems to disallow the user from turning it off. I'm sure that there should be some way, because some sites give the solution when this option is "greyed out" and allow access to it again. Hence, my question which is the inverse of this is, how can I get it greyed out instead?



Option 1:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location

Value string:

Deny=OFF; Allow=ON

Option 2:

Group Policy -->

Computer configuration-->

Administrative templates-->

Windows components-->

Location and sensors-->

Windows Location Provider


I have full access to the computer, hence I can use powershell scripts, batch commands, domain group policies or if need I can develop a piece of code that enables location services through .NET coding. Hence, I'm open to any possible solutions.



:)

 

Windows 10 location Service

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I understand your inconvenience. We will assist you with it.
• Are you using domain network?

Location controls might be turned off or on, and you may be unable to change these settings, if you’re using a device assigned to you by your workplace, or if you’re using a personal device at your workplace. If that’s the case, Some settings are managed
by your organization will appear at the top of the location settings page.

I would suggest you to follow the below path and check if it helps.

• Select the Start icon on your taskbar, and then select Settings > Privacy > Location.

I would suggest you to check if the Geo Location service is enabled and started. If not you have to Enable and start the service. follow the below steps:

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type Services.msc In the search box.
• Select Geo Location services.
• Right click on it.
• Go to properties and change start up type to automatic.

I would also suggest you to check refer the suggestions from the below article and check if it helps.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/location-service-privacy

I hope this information is helpful.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance, we will be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

Location service is greyed out

Hi Shahriar,

Thank you for responding.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused for you, I suggest you to try the below troubleshooting steps and check If it helps.

Step 1: Steps to turn on the Location settings.

• Login as an administrator.
• Press Windows key, type Location settings and select
  Change location settings.
• Check whether Location for this device is On by clicking on
  Change.
• Also turn on Location as well.

Step 2: And as you are unable to set the service Geolocation service to automatic, I suggest you to run SFC scan and check.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

Follow the below steps:

• 
  Right click on the Start button, click on
  Command Prompt (Admin).
  
• 
  Type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and hit
  Enter.
  
• 
  After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.
  

Try to set the service to automatic by following the steps provided in the above post by Praveen Venugopal.

Hope it helps. Kindly update the status of the issue, we will be happy to help you.

 

Location Services Windows 10

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per the issue description you are having some concern related to Location Services on Windows 10. I would suggest you to try the steps provided below and see if it helps you to fix your concern.

• Press Windows key or click on Start.
• Click on Settings.
• Click on Privacy.
• Click/tap on Location on the left side, click/tap on the
  Change button under Location on the right side, turn
  on location for this device.

Additional Information:

You may refer to the article mentioned below and see if it helps.

Use location services more safely

Hope the information provided is helpful. Do let us know if you have any queries related to Windows, we will be happy to assist you.



Regards,