Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10  

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10

    How to Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Hardware & Drivers
    20 Nov 2019
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10


    In Windows 10, having a camera and microphone as part of your device or system lets you make Skype video calls, take pictures, record videos, and more. Many apps and services request and use the camera or microphone, and Windows settings give you control over which apps can use your camera or microphone.

    Some people worry about unknown apps, organizations, or malware using their camera or microphone.

    Privacy statement from Microsoft: Windows 10 camera, microphone, and privacy | Microsoft privacy

    Starting with Windows 10 build 17063, you can now allow or deny Windows 10 and apps access to the microphone on your device (PC) for all users.

    If you allow access, users on your PC will be able to turn on or off if their apps have access to the microphone. If you turn on to let apps access your microphone, you can choose to turn on (allow) or off (deny) access for individual apps.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 17686, if access to the microphone has been disabled in your privacy settings, you will now get a notification below the first time an attempt to use the microphone is blocked so you can review the settings if desired.

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_blocked_notification.png

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18252, Microsoft introduced a new mic icon that would appear in the notification area letting you know when an app was accessing your microphone. Starting with Windows 10 build 18290, Microsoft is updating it so if you hover over the icon, it will now show you which app. Double clicking the icon will open Microphone Privacy Settings. If multiple apps are using your microphone, then it will just list how many are actively using your microphone.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18298, Microsoft updated the microphone privacy settings pages to provide information on which apps are currently using the microphone and camera, and the date/time apps last accessed your microphone and camera.

    This tutorial will show you how to change Privacy settings to allow or deny Windows and apps access to the microphone for all users or only your account in Windows 10.


    Contents

    • Option One: Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users in Settings
    • Option Two: Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users using a REG file
    • Option Three: Turn On or Off Let Apps Access Your Microphone in Settings
    • Option Four: Turn On or Off Let Apps Access Your Microphone using a REG file
    • Option Five: Turn On or Off Let Specific Apps Access Your Microphone in Settings
    • Option Six: Enable or Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts in Local Group Policy Editor
    • Option Seven: Enable or Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts using a REG file






    OPTION ONE

    Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users in Settings


    This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17063.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

    2 Click/tap on Microphone on the left side, click/tap on the Change button on the right side, and turn On (default) or Off Microphone access for this device for what you want. (see screenshots below)

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_device-1.jpg Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_device-2.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users using a REG file


    This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17063.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

    The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string value in the registry key below.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone

    Value string value

    Deny = Off
    Allow = On


    1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


     2. To Turn On Allow Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users

    This is the default setting.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_ON_Windows_and_apps_access_to_microphone_for_device.reg

    Download


     3. To Turn Off Allow Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_OFF_Windows_and_apps_access_to_microphone_for_device.reg

    Download

    4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






    OPTION THREE

    Turn On or Off Let Apps Access Your Microphone in Settings


    The setting in this option will be grayed out unless Microphone access for this device is turned on from Option One or Option Two above.


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

    2 Click/tap on Microphone on the left side, and turn On (default) or Off Let apps use your microphone on the right side for what you want. (see screenshots below)

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_apps-1.jpg Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_apps-2.jpg






    OPTION FOUR

    Turn On or Off Let Apps Access Your Microphone using a REG file


    This option will not get applied until Microphone access for this device is turned on from Option One or Option Two above.

    The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string value in the registry key below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone

    Value string value

    Deny = Off
    Allow = On


    1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


     2. To Turn On Let Apps Access Your Microphone

    This is the default setting

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_ON_apps_access_to_microphone_for_current_account.reg

    Download


     3. To Turn Off Let Apps Access Your Microphone

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_OFF_apps_access_to_microphone_for_current_account.reg

    Download

    4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






    OPTION FIVE

    Turn On or Off Let Specific Apps Access Your Microphone in Settings


    The settings in this option will be grayed out unless Let apps access your microphone is turned on from Option Three or Option Four above.

    The settings for this option are stored in the subkeys in the registry key below. Each subkey represents a listed app.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone
    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-choose_which_apps_can_access_your_microphone_registry.jpg


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

    2 Click/tap on Microphone on the left side, turn On or Off apps you want under Choose apps that can access your microphone on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Note that each legacy app will not appear individually in the list like Store apps do, but they will respect the toggle starting with Windows 10 build 17063.

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_specific_apps.jpg






    OPTION SIX

    Enable or Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts in Local Group Policy Editor


    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

    This option will override Option One and Option Two above.

    Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. All editions can use Option Seven below to do this using a .reg file instead though.


    1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

    2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Privacy

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_apps_gpedit-1.jpg

    3 In the right pane of App Privacy in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Let Windows apps access the microphone policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

    4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


     5. To Enable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts

    This is the default setting.

    A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)


     6. To Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts

    A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Force Deny in the "Default for all apps" drop menu under Options, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-microphone_access_for_apps_gpedit-2.jpg

    7 When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.






    OPTION SEVEN

    Enable or Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts using a REG file


    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

    Setting this option to disable will gray out and override Option One and Option Two above.

    The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD and hex values in the registry key below.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy

    LetAppsAccessMicrophone DWORD value

    (delete) = Enable
    2 = Disable

    LetAppsAccessMicrophone_UserInControlOfTheseApps hex value
    LetAppsAccessMicrophone_ForceAllowTheseApps hex value
    LetAppsAccessMicrophone_ForceDenyTheseApps hex value

    (delete) = Enable
    hex(7):00,00 = Disable


    1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


     2. To Enable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts

    This is the default setting.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Enable_Let_apps_access_microphone.reg

    Download


     3. To Disable Let Windows Apps Access the Microphone for All Accounts

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Disable_Let_apps_access_microphone.reg

    Download

    4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10-Pro
       #1

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18298, Microsoft updated the microphone privacy settings pages to provide information on which apps are currently using the microphone and camera, and the date/time apps last accessed your microphone and camera.
    Brink is there a way to clear the "apps last accessed" history from mic and camera?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello @studioCJF,

    I haven't seen a way to clear the Last accessed time stamps yet either. Hopefully, someone may know of a way and will post it here.

    Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10-last_accessed.jpg
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10-Pro
       #3

    Thanks. I hope so too. Let us know if you find anything
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9
    Windows 10 20H2
       #4

    To clear the last access timestamp for store apps go to
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone\
    Select your desired application, open LastUsedTimeStop and clear the value. If you want to completely remove the app from the list, delete the key.

    For desktop applications:
    Code:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone\NonPackaged
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Windows 10, Ubuntu
       #5

    Has anyone had an issue where Windows Updates seem to automatically switch the Micropohone Privacy from Off to On?
    "Allow apps to access your microphone" On/Off Selector being the Microphone Privacy I specifically mean.


    I'll reboot for an update and my mic won't be working anymore. Three times now I've found that the option has been switched to 'Off' after an update.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    bkrum said:
    Has anyone had an issue where Windows Updates seem to automatically switch the Micropohone Privacy from Off to On?
    "Allow apps to access your microphone" On/Off Selector being the Microphone Privacy I specifically mean.


    I'll reboot for an update and my mic won't be working anymore. Three times now I've found that the option has been switched to 'Off' after an update.
    Hello,

    On is the default setting. It's not unusual for a Windows Update to sometimes reset some settings back to default.

    If you like, you could use either option 5 or 6 to set this via policy that Windows Update will not reset.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 20
    Windows 10 21H2
       #7

    i found a way for deleting desktop applicatio last accessed
    in above post from @MaCk0y
    For desktop applications:
    Code:
    Code:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone\NonPackaged
    I have seen that there might not be single application key there so i thought there must be in USER section of registry
    and voila i found it .
    CODE:
    Code:
    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone\NonPackaged
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 20
    Windows 10 21H2
       #8

    what happens to my quick reply?
    is it getting moderated?
    idk something happened and my old post didn't appear
    so her it is in short
    it is for deleting "last accessed" history
    Code:
    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone\NonPackaged
    for many people HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE directory one would have nothing in it so i thought i should upload it here
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Education
       #9

    Thank you so much. Regarding option two "Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Microphone for All Users using a REG file", it's nice, but I imagine it one button/icon that enable and disable the mic. And that button has a global keyboard hotkey. Could you give me an idea how to do this, AutoHotKey maybe?
      My Computer


 

Tutorial Categories

Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:27.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums