On Windows 10, apps that you acquire from the Microsoft Store — depending on how they were designed –, they require certain permissions to access to your information. For example, permissions to access your location, camera, and microphone, the ability to run in the background, and more.
Although you can always use the Privacy section in the Settings app to configure permissions, having to jump from page to page to turn on or off permissions for a particular app can be a tedious process. However, Windows 10, starting with the April 2018 Update, groups all the permissions an apps can use within the app settings, so you can quickly control which information it can access on your device.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to change the permissions an app that you downloaded from the Microsoft Store can be use on Windows 10 using the Settings app.
How to quickly manage app permissions on Settings
If you must change the information an app can access on your computer, use the following steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Apps.
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Click on Apps & features.
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Select the app you want.
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Click the Advanced options link.
Apps & features, app’s Advanced options -
Under “App permissions,” turn on or off the toggle switches to decide which information the app can access.
Apps permissions
Once you’ve completed the steps, the app will only be allowed to use the information you configured.
Alternatively, using the Start menu, you can right-click the app, select More, and then click App settings to jump directly to the Advanced options page for that particular app.
It’s worth noting that the available permissions will be different per application. For example, in the case of the Facebook app, you can control permissions for location, camera, microphone, and background apps.
This option is available starting with Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update). If you don’t see it in your installation, then chances are that you’re not running this version of Windows 10, which is schedule to roll out on April 30, 2018.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].