Each time you install an application on a Windows system, you grant it permission to interact with various components of your device. For instance, video calling applications typically request access to your webcam, while web browsers often seek your location to provide localized content such as news and weather updates.
While most permissions are harmless, conducting a regular audit of which programs have access to what can be a wise practice. Even with trusted applications, it’s prudent to ensure that you’re not inadvertently sharing more information than you’re comfortable with. There’s always a possibility that an app you’ve forgotten about is still installed on your PC, and reviewing these permissions allows you to maintain control over your digital environment. If any permissions raise concerns, you can easily reconfigure them or remove the applications altogether.
Where to find Windows app permissions
To explore app permissions, you can either look up specific permissions to see which applications have requested them or search for individual apps to check their permissions. The former approach is more straightforward: simply open Settings from the Start menu, select Privacy & security, and scroll down to the App permissions section.
Here, you’ll find a list of key permissions that apps can request, starting with the most significant ones: Location, Camera, and Microphone. By clicking on any permission, you can view the apps that have access and revoke that access using the toggle switches provided. Additionally, there’s an option to block access to that permission for all programs on your system.
For certain permissions, you may find extra information, including recent requests for that permission. For example, you can identify which apps have recently sought to use your camera. This feature is particularly useful for assessing whether apps are responsibly utilizing permissions like location data and doing so at a frequency that feels appropriate to you. If not, revoking the permission is just a click away.
It’s worth noting that blocking specific permissions in certain apps may disrupt some features or functionalities. However, a well-designed app should inform you about what has stopped working and why a particular permission is necessary. Should you need further clarification, reaching out to the developer directly is always an option.
How to check permissions app by app
To check permissions on an app-by-app basis, navigate to Settings from the Start menu, then select Apps > Installed apps. For applications that have been granted specific permissions, you can click the three dots next to the app title and choose Advanced options to view a comprehensive list of permissions.
If you find any permissions you wish to revoke, simply toggle off the relevant switch. Depending on the app, you may also encounter additional permissions, such as allowing the app to start automatically with Windows. If this is not something you desire, you can disable it through the toggle switch as well.
Some applications may also feature a Background app permissions setting, which allows them to continue operating in the background even when closed. This can be beneficial for apps requiring real-time data and notifications, yet it may consume memory and drain battery life. You can adjust this setting based on whether your Windows device is plugged in.
The same screen offers various troubleshooting options and an Uninstall button if you suspect an app is excessively requesting permissions. Regularly removing programs that are no longer in use not only frees up storage space and memory but also enhances system security by reducing the number of potential vulnerabilities.