Disable location (HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT)
Setup Foundry writes the DWORD value `0` to an older, user-scoped registry entry associated with location state.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\LocationAndSensors\LocationEnabled
Setup Foundry writes the DWORD value 0 to an older, user-scoped registry entry associated with location state. Microsoft does not publish a current, version-independent definition for this exact path and value. In particular, Microsoft documentation does not establish that current Windows 10 or Windows 11 releases still evaluate the entry or that it reliably disables the location service.
This value is not a Group Policy setting. The documented Turn off location policy instead uses DisableLocation under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LocationAndSensors.
Notes
Security
This entry cannot be treated as an enforceable device-wide privacy control. It is not documented as blocking location access for signed-in users and does not replace the supported device and app privacy policies.
Even when the Windows location service is off, third-party software can potentially determine an approximate location through other technologies such as an IP address, Bluetooth, or a cellular modem. Windows may also attempt to determine and share a precise location during an emergency call regardless of the configured location settings.
Possible side effects
If a Windows component still observes this legacy value in the specified registry context, location data supplied by the Windows location service might be unavailable to that component. Its location-dependent functionality could consequently be limited. The specified path does not establish a corresponding effect for ordinary signed-in users.
Notes
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT is not the default user profile from which Windows creates new user profiles. It represents the default or system context and is used, among other cases, when processes run as LocalSystem.
The actual profile template for new users is stored in C:\Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT. Microsoft explicitly notes that this hive is not loaded under HKEY_USERS by default. The value documented here is therefore not copied into newly created user profiles merely because its registry path contains .DEFAULT.
Because Microsoft does not document this exact LocationEnabled value as a supported location or privacy policy, its behavior on current Windows releases is not reliably defined.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Support: Windows location service and privacy
Microsoft Learn: System Policy CSP – AllowLocation
Microsoft Learn: Customize the default user profile by using CopyProfile
Microsoft Learn: LocalSystem Account