LocationNotificationWindows.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called locationnotificationwindows, location notification, location consent

WindowsSystem Component

Location consent and notification UI. It asks whether an app may use location. It is not a GPS driver and it is not the location service host itself.

What you need to know

Location notification UI, not a GPS driver.

LocationNotificationWindows.exe draws the location toast or consent surface. Sensors and GNSS drivers live in Device Manager. Ending this UI does not uninstall a GPS device.

Safe?: Yes, when an app asked for location
Is it a GPS driver?: No. It is the consent UI
Should I end it?: The location prompt closes

Feex says

If a Maps prompt appeared and this name is here, I answer Allow or Deny. I do not uninstall a location driver to close the toast.

What is LocationNotificationWindows.exe?

LocationNotificationWindows.exe is location notification UI, not a GPS driver. Windows shows it when an app or a feature wants the location capability.

What does it do?

It tells you who asked and records your choice. It does not fix coordinates and it does not host UMDF GNSS drivers. That last job can be WUDFHost.exe.

Why is it running?

An app requested location, or Settings Location is on and a desktop app probed it. The process should exit after you dismiss the notice.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

System32 LocationNotificationWindows.exe is Microsoft. A LocationNotification exe in a "GPS tool" zip is not this UI.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Windows\System32\LocationNotificationWindows.exe

Consent / notification UI
Not a GNSS driver
Location switches live in Settings

Can I end it?

Closes the prompt

Ending LocationNotificationWindows.exe dismisses the notice. The app may fail location until you answer in Settings. It does not disable a GPS device.

Can I remove it?

Do not delete LocationNotificationWindows.exe. Turn location off in Settings > Privacy & security > Location if you want fewer prompts.

Should it start with Windows?

A location request starts it. It is not a Startup Apps checkbox.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Low while the toast is up
Memory: Small
Disk: None
Network: None for the prompt. Apps may use the network after you allow

File information

LocationNotificationWindows.exe file information
Executable name	LocationNotificationWindows.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Windows\System32\LocationNotificationWindows.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

People uninstall a sensor to stop the toast

Turn the app off in Location settings. The driver is not this process.

Prompt loops

An app keeps requesting location. Deny it or uninstall that app. Ending only the UI hides one toast.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

Settings > Privacy & security > Location

See which apps can use location. That is the control, not Device Manager first.

Do not replace the exe

Servicing owns System32. A missing prompt is a Settings issue, not a missing GPS driver named Location.

Technical details

LocationNotificationWindows.exe technical details
Image name	LocationNotificationWindows.exe
Role	Location consent / notification UI

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Support: location service and privacy · Location consent UX
Microsoft Learn: get the user location · Apps request location through Windows Settings
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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