New privacy setting in Windows 11: Camera, microphone, and location permissions can be toggled per app

Microsoft is working on new privacy options in Windows 11 that will allow for more granular management of how applications access sensitive resources such as the camera, microphone, and location. With the system currently being tested, users will be able to toggle permissions on and off individually for Win32 applications, also known as classic desktop apps.

The change was spotted by X user Jakub in Windows 11 Experimental Insider Build 26340.9212. While the current structure of Windows 11 offers more general controls for camera and microphone access, the new trial allows the user to directly determine which application can access which hardware.

PERMISSIONS WILL BE MANAGED PER APPLICATION

The new arrangement will make it possible, for example, to keep camera and microphone access open for video conferencing apps like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, while blocking a browser like Chrome from accessing the same resources. If an application is not granted access, Windows will cut off its use of the camera or microphone.

This approach could provide a more visible and practical control area for users who want to limit applications that request microphone or camera access even when they do not need it. Users will be able to change or completely remove the permissions they have granted later through Windows 11 settings.

The features being tested are not limited to just the camera and microphone. According to tests by Windows Latest, Microsoft also plans to make location access manageable on an app-by-app basis using the same model. This way, users will be able to grant permission to only specific applications without having to enable location services for the entire system.

Microsoft is also testing permission notifications for Win32 applications. When an application wants to access the microphone, camera, location, or a similar resource, Windows is expected to request approval from the user. This structure will offer an experience closer to the app permission systems found on smartphones.

The new options are currently in the experimental Insider build. Given that Microsoft tests and releases such features gradually, these controls are expected to reach a wider group of users in preview channels first, and then arrive in the stable version of Windows 11. These settings focus on managing third-party application access to sensitive resources rather than Windows' own telemetry collection processes.