How to Disable Find My Device Option in Windows 10 Computers

The Find my Device option in Windows 10 is handy if your laptop, Xbox, etc., are stolen or misplaced. This feature can also allow you to control your device remotely. The feature works only if the location for the device is turned On. If your device is stolen, the thief may turn the location Off, and you won’t be able to trace the device. There is a way to ensure that no one except you can disable it so that your device is always traceable. This tutorial will address this and show you how to disable the find my device option in Windows 10 computers.

Disable Find my Device Option

There are two ways you can do this. You can use the Group Policy Editor or you can use the Registry Editor.

Disable Find my Device Using Policy Editor

If you have a Windows 10 Home, then you cannot use this method. Use the Registry Editor method instead. For users with Windows 10 Pro versions, the policy editor method applies.

1.  Open the Run box using the shortcut keys Win + R.
2.  Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3.  Click on Computer Configuration to expand the option.
4.  Go to Administrative Templates.
5.  Select Windows Components.
6.  Now select Find my Device.
7.  On the right pane, locate Turn On/Off Find my Device. Double-click on this option.
8.  Select Enabled.
9.  Click Apply and then press OK.

The ‘Change’ option in Find my Device settings will be disabled and no one will be able to modify the location settings. In case the Change button isn’t disabled, restart your computer. If you want to Enable the Change button again, follow all the above steps but in step 8, select Disabled or Not Configured option instead.

Registry Editor

Before using the Registry Editor always create a system restore point. This is incase anything goes wrong and you have a system backup. After creating the restore point, follow the steps below:

Step-1: Open the Run box using shortcut keys Win + R.

Step-2: Type regedit and press OK.

Step-3: You will be asked; do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? Click Yes.

Step-4: Type the following path in the Registry Editor and press Enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

Step-5: In the left pane under Microsoft if you see FindMyDevice, you can skip this step and step-6. If not, you have to create a key. Right-click on Microsoft and hover the cursor over New. Select Key.

Step-6: Rename this new key as FindMyDevice.

Step-7: Select this subkey.

Step-8: Right-click on the right pane and hover the cursor over New. Select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step-9: Name this AllowFindMyDevice.

Step-10: Double-click on this option.

Step-11: Enter 1 in Value data.

Step-12: Click OK.

This method will also disable the Change option in the Find my Device settings. If you want to enable the Change option again, follow the steps above and in step-11, add 0 (zero) in Value data.

 

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