Microsoft 365 Home settings

Microsoft 365 Home is not directly controlling Windows location settings, but Microsoft account and Family Safety configuration can apply restrictions that appear as padlocks or greyed-out options, including for location and privacy.

There are two main areas to check:

1. Windows location settings If location is blocked at device or account level, options can appear locked or unavailable. To review and adjust:
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
   2. If you are an administrator on the device:
      • Use the Location services / Location for this device control to turn location On.
   3. Under Let apps access your location (or similar wording), turn it On to allow apps to use location.
   4. Under the list of apps, turn On any app where location access is desired.
   If location is off for the device, per the documentation, it is not possible to enable location just for the account until device-level location is turned on.
2. Microsoft Family Safety / adult member controls Even without a child using the PC, being part of a Microsoft Family group as an adult member can cause safety settings (including some privacy and content controls) to be enforced and appear locked. Key points from the Family Safety behavior:
   • If part of a Family group, the organizer (often a parent/guardian or whoever created the family) can manage safety settings for members.
   • For adult members, these organizer-controlled settings can be applied without the member’s direct consent and may lock certain options.
   • Only the family organizer can change or turn off those enforced safety settings. Adult members cannot override them themselves.
   To resolve:
   • Sign in to the Microsoft account and check if it is in a Microsoft Family group.
   • If listed as a member, contact the organizer and ask them to:
     • Remove or relax any safety settings that are affecting the account, or
     • Remove the account from the family group if those controls are not needed.

Once location is enabled in Windows settings and any Family Safety restrictions are removed or adjusted by the organizer, location should be able to be shown and padlocks on related items should no longer apply from those controls.

References:

• Windows location service and privacy
• Family Safety settings enforced on adults