How to Access and Manage Windows 10 App Permissions

What are app permissions in Windows 10, and why do you need them?

by
Aaron Peters
Aaron Peters
Writer
Aaron Peters is a writer with Lifewire who has 20+ years experience in technology. His work appears in Linux Journal, MakeUseOf, and others.
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Aaron Peters
Updated on February 12, 2021

What to Know

  • Open the Windows Start Menu, right-click the app, select More > App settings, then adjust the toggle switches under App permissions.
  • To manage permissions for all apps, go to Settings > Privacy, then select one of the options under App Permissions.
  • If you have problems opening an app from the Windows store, turn the permissions it needs back on and restart the app.

This article explains how to access and manage app permissions in Windows 10. App permissions help keep your system safe and protect your privacy.

How to Access App Permissions for an Installed App

To manage Windows 10 app permissions:

  1. Open the Windows Start Menu and right-click an app. Then, select More > App settings.

    Path to an app's permissions settings

  2. Adjust the toggle switches under App permissions to enable or disable individual permissions.

    App Permissions section show options with toggle switches

    You can also access app permissions by going to Settings > Apps & Features. Select the app, then select Advanced Options.

How to Manage Systemwide App Permissions

The Windows Settings provide a way to turn permissions on and off either on a global or per application basis:

There are some applications that will always have access to a particular feature, regardless of your settings. The Calendar app, for example, will always have access to calendar-related resources.

  1. Open the Start Menu and select the gear to launch Windows Settings.

    Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Windown key + i to bring up Windows Settings.

    The Gear selected in the Start menu

  2. Select Privacy.

    Windows Settings screen with Privacy highlighted

  3. Select one of the options under App Permissions in the left pane. From here, you can enable/disable permissions for all apps or specific apps.

    If you make changes to permissions while an app is already open, you may need to restart it for the settings to take effect.

    Privacy settings with App permissions section highlighted

What Is an App Permission in Windows 10?

App permissions allow programs to access specific features of your device including hardware (such as the GPS to determine your location) or software (such as your Windows Calendar). It's important to know which apps are using which permissions.

While apps that don't have the permissions they need will ask for them, there may be apps with permissions they don't need. For example, you probably don't want all of your applications to have access to your microphone. If your computer has any malware installed, that could pose a serious security threat. For this reason, it's best to turn off system-wide permissions for your mic.

App Permissions and Installing From the Windows Store

Apps downloaded from the Windows Store will install without asking for permission. If you've turned off the permissions for specific software or hardware, the app will only ask for permission when you launch it. If you have problems opening an app from the Windows store, turn the permissions it needs back on and restart the app.

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