Microsoft is testing new per-app privacy controls that allow Windows 11 users to manage hardware access for desktop applications [1, 2].
This shift brings the operating system closer to the permission models used by mobile devices. By giving users the ability to block specific software from accessing sensitive hardware, Microsoft aims to reduce the risk of unauthorized surveillance and data collection by legacy desktop programs.
The feature focuses on Win32 applications, which have historically lacked the granular permission prompts found in modern mobile apps. Users will be able to grant or block access to the camera, microphone, and precise location for these specific programs [1, 2].
These controls first appeared in preview build 26340.9212 [3] and were later seen in build 26340.9233 [3]. The testing phase allows Microsoft to determine how these toggles integrate with existing software without breaking critical application functions.
Currently, Windows 11 offers global privacy toggles that turn hardware on or off for all apps. The new system moves away from this binary approach, allowing a user to let a video conferencing tool use the camera while blocking a third-party utility from doing the same [2].
Microsoft has not yet announced a wide release date for these settings. The company continues to refine the interface within its experimental builds to ensure the user experience remains intuitive across different hardware configurations [3].
“Microsoft is testing new per-app privacy controls that allow Windows 11 users to manage hardware access.”
This update addresses a long-standing security gap in the Windows ecosystem where desktop (Win32) apps often had broader system access than their mobile counterparts. By implementing granular permissions, Microsoft is reducing the attack surface for malware and privacy-invasive software, effectively treating desktop applications with the same zero-trust approach as smartphone apps.
