Windows 11 Preview Adds Per-App Privacy Permission Controls
The latest Beta Channel build enables granular control over camera, microphone, and location data for individual desktop apps.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Computers
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Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.9836 to the Beta Channel. This research-stage update adds per-app privacy controls for camera, microphone, and location access.
Why it matters
Granular permission controls for desktop applications provide users with tighter security oversight, a feature previously common only in mobile operating systems. This update represents an incremental shift toward standardized privacy management across the Windows ecosystem.
The build, identified as version 26220.9836 based on the 25H2 platform, introduces these changes via an enablement package. These updates remain in the testing phase within the Windows 11 Beta Channel.
The players
Microsoft
A global technology corporation responsible for the Windows operating system, cloud infrastructure, and productivity software suites.
The details
Users can now configure privacy settings for individual desktop applications by navigating to the Settings, Privacy and Security menus. This implementation allows specific permissions for camera, microphone, or location data to be revoked or granted on an app-by-app basis. Additionally, the update modifies the security key PIN screen to exclude the other user icon and expands Narrator math reading capabilities to eight new languages.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.9836.
The Tech Race
This release follows the established privacy permission framework of the Windows 11 25H2 platform. It represents a functional expansion of existing security architecture rather than a platform overhaul.
Beta Channel participants can access these controls immediately through the system Settings menu. General users must wait for these features to migrate from the testing channel to a stable, public production build.
The takeaway
Microsoft is continuing to bridge the gap between desktop and mobile-style privacy granularity for the Windows 11 user base. Users should watch for the official resolution of the donut spinner bug in subsequent Beta Channel updates to confirm full system functionality.
Further reading
For more updates on upcoming OS features, check our coverage in Computers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Notebookcheck.
Live Poll
Do you trust that granular app-level privacy controls offer better protection for your personal data?
