As reported last month, Microsoft has decided to remove Location History in Windows 11, with the feature already being phased out in Insider Dev and Beta builds.
In short, Location History is an API responsible for collecting and storing a user’s device location data over the past 24 hours.
Essentially, this API allows other applications to easily access stored location data without requesting a new position (limited to 3,600 positions) and provides users with relevant information, recommendations, geofenced reminders, and more. As Microsoft explained, this feature was once highly beneficial for Cortana. However, since Cortana has also been discontinued, the decision was made to retire this feature as well.
Also Read: Google Releases Gemini 2.0 Model for Android and iOS
One thing is certain: after the feature was removed from Windows Insider Dev and Canary last month, Microsoft has now decided to eliminate it from Windows Insider Canary starting with build 27813. As a result, users will no longer find the location history option under Settings > Privacy & security > Location > Location History.
Since this change has been implemented across all Insider versions, it will soon roll out to stable Windows 11 users. It’s only a matter of time before Microsoft applies this update widely.
However, it’s important to note that removing this feature doesn’t mean user locations won’t be detected. Instead, the 24-hour location history will no longer be stored as it was before. In other words, location functionality remains accessible and won’t affect the system in any way.
Via: Microsoft
