Windows 11 is stepping up its game in the realm of user privacy by introducing individual controls for desktop applications. In the latest Experimental build, users can navigate to Settings > Privacy & security to manage access permissions for apps such as Chrome and Steam, allowing or denying them access to vital features like the microphone, camera, and location. This marks a significant shift from the previous approach where traditional Win32 software was grouped under a single toggle, limiting user control.
Historically, Microsoft Store apps enjoyed the advantage of having distinct permission switches, while desktop applications were relegated to a collective setting. This meant that users could not selectively grant microphone access to Discord while blocking it for Chrome, a limitation that many found frustrating.
Windows 11 finally lets you control what individual desktop apps can access
With the introduction of Build 26340.9212, users can now manage permissions on a per-app basis. On our Experimental Insider PC, we verified this functionality with both Edge and Brave, two popular desktop browsers. Prior to the update, both apps were lumped together under a single “Let desktop apps access your microphone” toggle, offering no flexibility.
Post-update, this shared switch has been replaced by individual entries for each app, allowing for more granular control. Edge and Brave now appear separately at the top of the list, each equipped with its own toggle for microphone access.
This newfound flexibility extends to camera and location access as well. Edge is now listed as a distinct entry under the camera settings, alongside other applications like Teams and Xbox, rather than being confined to a collective desktop-apps category.
Similarly, location access settings now display Edge and Brave individually, allowing users to toggle permissions next to other applications such as Weather and Microsoft 365 Copilot. While Microsoft has yet to provide comprehensive documentation on the extent of these changes, our testing confirms their functionality.
The introduction of these individual permission settings addresses a long-standing concern: the perception that Microsoft’s sandboxed Store apps were inherently more privacy-conscious than traditional desktop software. By exposing individual permissions for desktop applications, Windows is working to bridge this gap.
We now have permission prompts too
In addition to the new settings, users will also encounter a centered system dialog when a desktop app attempts to access the microphone or camera for the first time. This marks a departure from the previous system where Win32 apps did not trigger such prompts independently.
It is important to note that these changes are still in the testing phase and may not be universally available across all Insider builds. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the rollout of these features, and they may evolve or be retracted before reaching a public release.
This update comes on the heels of discussions surrounding Microsoft’s GDID tracking system, which highlighted user concerns regarding data collection and privacy. Interestingly, the same Capability Access Manager component responsible for enforcing these permissions has been reported to consume significant storage space on some PCs.
Windows 11 is making desktop apps behave more like Store apps
The shift towards individual app permissions means that users no longer have to compromise between granting microphone access to all desktop applications or denying it entirely. This granular approach allows for tailored privacy settings, enhancing user control over their data.
Reports from users indicate that the new permission prompts are functioning as intended, although the rollout appears to be inconsistent. Some users have noted that enabling a specific feature flag was necessary to access these changes, while others experienced the update without manual intervention.
While some experts have pointed out that desktop apps have been listed under a shared switch since Windows 10 version 1903, the key difference now lies in the ability to toggle permissions individually. As Microsoft continues to refine its approach to desktop software privacy, the potential for a more secure user experience is on the horizon.
As these features remain experimental, the future of individual app permissions in Windows 11 is still uncertain. However, if successfully implemented, this development could significantly enhance privacy controls for traditional Windows software, aligning them more closely with the protections offered by Microsoft Store applications.
