Disable Windows Location Service Using Regedit

Windows actively gathers device location data to provide location-based features, but users concerned about privacy can turn off this functionality entirely at the system level. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to permanently disable the Windows Location Tracking service across all user accounts using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit).

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

  3. In the address bar at the top, paste the following path and press Enter:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LocationAndSensors

    Note: If the LocationAndSensors key does not exist under Windows, right-click the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it LocationAndSensors.

  4. Right-click in the empty space inside the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableLocation.

  5. Double-click DisableLocation, change the Value data to 1, and set the Base to Hexadecimal.

  6. Click OK.

Method 2: Disable the Geolocation Service (lfsvc)

To ensure the background geolocation service cannot run at all:

  1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lfsvc

  2. In the right pane, locate and double-click the DWORD value named Start.

  3. Change the Value data to 4 (which sets the startup type to Disabled).

  4. Click OK.

  5. Next, expand the lfsvc key in the left pane and select Service\Configuration (full path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lfsvc\Service\Configuration).

  6. Double-click the Status DWORD value in the right pane, set its Value data to 0, and click OK.

Apply the Changes

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Once rebooted, the Windows location tracking service and all dependent sensors will be completely disabled.