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Let Windows apps access user movements while running in the background

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 10, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Privacy

Description

This policy setting specifies whether Windows apps can access the movement of the user's head, hands, motion controllers, and other tracked objects, while the apps are running in the background. You can specify either a default setting for all apps or a per-app setting by specifying a Package Family Name. You can get the Package Family Name for an app by using the Get-AppPackage Windows PowerShell cmdlet. A per-app setting overrides the default setting. If you choose the "User is in control" option, employees in your organization can decide whether Windows apps can access the user's movements while the apps are running in the background by using Settings > Privacy on the device. If you choose the "Force Allow" option, Windows apps are allowed to access user movements while the apps are running in the background and employees in your organization cannot change it. If you choose the "Force Deny" option, Windows apps are not allowed to access user movements while the apps are running in the background and employees in your organization cannot change it. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, employees in your organization can decide whether Windows apps can access the user's movements while the apps are running in the background by using Settings > Privacy on the device. If an app is open when this Group Policy object is applied on a device, employees must restart the app or device for the policy changes to be applied to the app.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy

More options available

Options

Default for all apps:
LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception enum
  • User is in control -> 0 (default)
  • Force Allow -> 1
  • Force Deny -> 2
LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_UserInControlOfTheseApps multiText
LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceAllowTheseApps multiText
LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceDenyTheseApps multiText

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Let Windows apps access user movements while running in the background
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy]
"LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception"=dword:00000000
"LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_UserInControlOfTheseApps"=hex(7):00,00
; REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.
"LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceAllowTheseApps"=hex(7):00,00
; REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.
"LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceDenyTheseApps"=hex(7):00,00
; REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Let Windows apps access user movements while running in the background
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception' -Value 0 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_UserInControlOfTheseApps' -Value @() -Type MultiString
# REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceAllowTheseApps' -Value @() -Type MultiString
# REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'LetAppsAccessBackgroundSpatialPerception_ForceDenyTheseApps' -Value @() -Type MultiString
# REG_MULTI_SZ: one string per input line; edit in regedit if you need richer formatting.

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