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Is Windows Dropping ‘Location History’ a Good or Bad Move?
Microsoft is phasing out the “Location History” feature in Windows. This change might feel like closing an old chapter. Let’s break it down simply.
Why Was “Location History” Even a Thing?
Years ago, Microsoft wanted to make waves with Windows Mobile and Cortana. They added the “Location Service” to track where your device had been for the past 24 hours. It was like giving Cortana a memory of your movements. But those days are gone, and so is the need for this feature.
What’s Happening Now?
Microsoft announced in February 2025 that “Location History” is now considered obsolete. The feature will be removed in future Windows updates, as stated in their support article on deprecated features.
What Changes Should You Expect?
- No More Local Storage: Your device will no longer save location data locally.
- Settings Update: The “Location History” option will disappear from the Privacy & Security > Location page in Settings.
- API Retirement: The API that allowed Cortana to access location history will also be scrapped.
Why Does This Matter?
For most people, this won’t change much. If you didn’t use Cortana or rely on location tracking, you might not even notice it’s gone. But for developers or users who liked this feature, it’s a sign that Microsoft is moving away from older tools to streamline Windows.
Microsoft is trimming the fat, cutting out features that no longer fit its vision for Windows. Sometimes, it’s good to let go of what’s outdated to make room for better things ahead.