Microsoft Trials Granular Privacy Permissions for Windows 11 Desktop Apps
Microsoft is piloting an expansion of Windows 11's privacy dashboard that would extend permission controls to classic desktop applications. Previously, the granular toggles for camera, microphone, and precise location were largely limited to apps distributed through the Microsoft Store, leaving many legacy Win32 programs able to access these sensors without the same level of user oversight.
With the new controls, users testing the feature in preview builds can individually approve or block access for installed desktop software, mirroring the permission model already familiar from mobile operating systems. The change appears to be part of a broader effort to modernize Windows' privacy and security posture as more everyday computing shifts toward hybrid app ecosystems.
The feature is still in testing, so rollout timing and final behavior could shift before a wider release.