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Block location data sharing hosts

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script improves user privacy by disabling the transmission of location data to Microsoft's servers 1 2 3 4 5. Location data is utilized by various Windows applications 1 2 3 4 5, including the Camera app 6 7, to provide location-based services.

However, the collection of such data raises privacy concerns as it involves transmitting potentially sensitive information such as OS version, device details, nearby wireless access points (including MAC addresses and signal strengths), and various unique identifiers 6.

Sending this data to Microsoft allows for detailed profiling of your location and movements 6. This has led to privacy lawsuits alleging unauthorized tracking of users without their consent, particularly regarding the Camera app's location tracking capabilities 6 7.

By blocking the specified hosts, this script prevents Windows apps from accessing and sending location data 1 2 3 4 5, thereby safeguarding your privacy.

Caution

This script may impact the functionality of apps that rely on location data 1 3 4 5. Users should weigh the benefits of enhanced privacy against the potential loss of location-based features in certain applications.

Blocked Hosts​

The blocked hosts are:

  • inference.location.live.net 1 2 3 4 6 7
  • location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net 3 5

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Block tracking hosts category. This category includes scripts that enhance privacy by blocking communications with hosts known for tracking and data collection. A host is a domain name serving as an address for a computer or resource on the Internet. These hosts are often used by software applications, operating systems,... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Block location data sharing hosts.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Add hosts entries for inference.location.live.net
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='inference.location.live.net'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FileSystemCmdletProviderEncoding]::Utf8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output "^""Creating a new hosts file at $hostsFilePath."^""; try { New-Item -Path $hostsFilePath -ItemType File -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully created the hosts file."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing addition for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = Get-Content -Path "^""$hostsFilePath"^"" -Raw -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ((-Not [String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents)) -And ($hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry already exists.'; continue; }; try { Add-Content -Path $hostsFilePath -Value $hostsEntryLine -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully added the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to add the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
:: Add hosts entries for location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FileSystemCmdletProviderEncoding]::Utf8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output "^""Creating a new hosts file at $hostsFilePath."^""; try { New-Item -Path $hostsFilePath -ItemType File -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully created the hosts file."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing addition for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = Get-Content -Path "^""$hostsFilePath"^"" -Raw -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ((-Not [String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents)) -And ($hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry already exists.'; continue; }; try { Add-Content -Path $hostsFilePath -Value $hostsEntryLine -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully added the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to add the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Remove hosts entries for inference.location.live.net
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='inference.location.live.net'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output 'Skipping, the hosts file does not exist.'; exit 0; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing removal for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = [System.IO.File]::ReadAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileEncoding); } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file for removal. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ([String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents) -Or (-Not $hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry not found.'; continue; }; $hostsEntryRemovalPattern = [regex]::Escape($hostsEntryLine) + "^""(\r?\n)?"^""; $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval = $hostsFileContents -Replace $hostsEntryRemovalPattern, "^"""^""; try { [System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval, $hostsFileEncoding); Write-Output 'Successfully removed the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
:: Remove hosts entries for location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output 'Skipping, the hosts file does not exist.'; exit 0; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing removal for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = [System.IO.File]::ReadAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileEncoding); } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file for removal. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ([String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents) -Or (-Not $hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry not found.'; continue; }; $hostsEntryRemovalPattern = [regex]::Escape($hostsEntryLine) + "^""(\r?\n)?"^""; $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval = $hostsFileContents -Replace $hostsEntryRemovalPattern, "^"""^""; try { [System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($hostsFilePath, $hostsFileContentAfterRemoval, $hostsFileEncoding); Write-Output 'Successfully removed the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"

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