How to turn off or disable locaton tracking service on Windows 11

Here is the core policy and the critical information you need to know to disable location tracking service on Windows 11 using this method.

The Key Policy: DisableLocation

• You will need to target the ADMX_Sensors Policy CSP, specifically the DisableLocation policy . This setting is what turns off the location feature and prevents all programs from using location information.
• The SyncML for this policy must target the following OMA-URI and format:
  OMA-URI (User Context): ./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_Sensors/DisableLocation_1
• Data Format: <Format>chr</Format> (this is a required format for ADMX-backed policies) .
• Value: To disable location tracking, you set the policy to Enabled (<Data>1</Data>). This is a common point of confusion, as the policy name "Turn off location" is enabled to turn the feature off.

Critical Errors to Avoid

• Using the Wrong SyncML Format: ADMX-backed policies, like DisableLocation, require a specific <Format>chr</Format> tag in your SyncML. Omitting this or using the wrong format will cause the policy to fail .
• Targeting the Wrong Context: The DisableLocation_1 policy is applied in the User context (./User/Vendor/...). If you need to apply this to a device context, the correct CSP is DisableLocation_2 for the device, but you must verify the exact path in the documentation .
• Misunderstanding the "Enabled" State: As mentioned, to effectively disable location tracking service on Windows 11, you must set the policy to Enabled. Setting it to Disabled or not configuring it will allow the location feature to remain active.
• Trying This Without an MDM Service: The standard SyncML approach requires an MDM server like Microsoft Intune to push the policy. You cannot simply copy the SyncML into a local tool and expect it to work for a device not enrolled in an MDM.