I've been encountering a persistent issue where the message 'Location has been turned off by an admin on this device' appears at the top of the Location settings on all machines under my tenant. I'm using Windows 11 (25H2) and my devices are managed via Intune, but I can't find any policy that would explain this situation. I've spent hours trying to diagnose this with various resources but haven't had any luck. Has anyone else experienced this problem or can suggest where I might look to identify the cause?
5 Answers
Just a thought, could a script be altering your registry keys or maybe there's an old policy affecting this? Also, check if you're logging in as an admin; normal users usually can't toggle this setting on their own. The privacy consent screen should give them some options, but it's worth investigating further.
It sounds like this could be related to some settings you might not be aware of. Microsoft has started adopting some practices similar to Apple's. For instance, if the users don't actively accept the location services during the OOBE (Out of Box Experience), it disables those services not just for new users but also retroactively. You should check your Group Policy or Intune settings for options under Privacy where you can allow apps access to location. In Intune, look for the settings catalog options like 'Let Apps Access Location' and check the admin templates under Windows Components for the 'Turn off location (user)' setting if you'd like them locked down.
I suspect this might be due to a bug from a recent Windows update. It happened at my workplace and my spouse's as well; the location services were switched off after the latest update cycle. It could just be a temporary glitch.
Are you possibly referring to an issue that was documented and later patched in a known update for MS Office 2511? There was a case where users received a similar message when using Word files. You might want to check out the support article for more information.
Have you tried looking into the 'Administrative Templates' under 'Windows Components'? Specifically, check the 'Location and Sensors' section for the 'Turn off location (User)' policy. It might give you some insight into what's happening here.
Good point! Sometimes scripts can mess with those settings without you realizing it. It might be smart to double-check any scripts running on those devices.