Windows 11 Privacy Controls Get App-Level Upgrade

Windows 11 users may soon gain the ability to control which desktop apps can access their camera, microphone, and precise location—individually. Microsoft has started testing this feature in the latest Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9233, aiming to make privacy permissions more transparent and manageable.

App-by-App Permissions: A Shift from Device-Wide Settings

Previously, traditional desktop applications shared a single device-wide permission setting for each sensitive resource. That meant granting camera access to one app also allowed it for all others. The new model, as Microsoft explained, lets users review and control access on an app-by-app basis, offering greater visibility into which apps are requesting access to sensitive resources.

Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. Previously, access for traditional desktop applications was managed through a single device-wide setting.

— Microsoft, in a release note

With this update, users can grant or deny access using dedicated toggles under Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location.

How to Manage Permissions

Insiders running the build can navigate to Settings > Privacy & security, select the relevant category (Camera, Microphone, or Location), and find a list of desktop apps with individual toggles. This granularity allows users to revoke access for apps they no longer trust without affecting others.

Microsoft also cautioned that some apps using shared system components or browser-hosted experiences may appear under a different name or as unsigned if the system can't verify the publisher's information. Users are advised to grant access only to apps they trust and recognize.

From February Announcement to Insider Preview

This development follows Microsoft's February announcement that it plans to introduce smartphone-style app permission prompts in Windows 11, which would request user consent before apps can access sensitive resources like cameras and microphones.

At that time, Windows Platform engineer Logan Iyer explained that the new security model was prompted by apps increasingly installing unwanted software, overriding settings, or even modifying core Windows experiences without prior user consent. The goal is to give users transparency and control over how apps access their personal data and device features.

Users will have transparency and consent control over how apps access their personal data and device features. They will receive clear prompts to grant or deny apps permission to access protected data and hardware. Users will also be able to revoke permissions they have previously granted.

— Logan Iyer, Windows Platform engineer at Microsoft

Part of Broader Security Initiatives

The mobile-style security controls are part of the "Windows Baseline Security Mode" and "User Transparency and Consent" initiatives. Microsoft plans to roll out these features in a phased approach, adjusting the controls and rollout speed based on Insider feedback.

On Friday, Microsoft also announced testing a new accessibility setting that automatically maximizes app windows when they open, targeting users who work in tablet mode, use screen readers or magnification, or prefer a full-screen workspace.

Why It Matters

This move signals a shift toward giving users more granular control over their privacy, which could reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive hardware. As apps become more aggressive in seeking permissions, the ability to manage each app individually may help users avoid granting unnecessary access. If successful, this feature could become a standard part of Windows 11, potentially influencing how other operating systems handle app permissions.