Allow search and Cortana to use location
This device-wide registry value controls whether Windows Search and Cortana may access location information to provide location-aware results.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\AllowSearchToUseLocation
This device-wide registry value controls whether Windows Search and Cortana may access location information to provide location-aware results.
The value uses the REG_DWORD type. A value of 1 allows the use of location information; a value of 0 prevents Search and Cortana from using it.
Notes
Security
Location information may reveal where a device and its users are located. Setting the value to 0 prevents Windows Search and Cortana from using this information for their results. A value of 1 grants only this specific permission; it does not enable the system-wide location service or override more restrictive location and application-privacy policies.
This setting alone does not determine whether web results are included or whether location information is transmitted to an online service. Those behaviors depend on the features in use and on other search, network, and privacy policies.
Possible side effects
With a value of 0, Windows Search and Cortana cannot provide location-aware results. Search results may therefore be less relevant to the device's current location.
Notes
This is a device-scoped policy setting.
Permission through this value is effective only when the Windows location service and other applicable privacy settings also permit location access.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Search Policy CSP – AllowSearchToUseLocation
Microsoft Learn: System Policy CSP – AllowLocation