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Let’s find out how to enable Presence Sensing feature in Windows 11/10. Microsoft is integrating privacy settings and APIs for Presence Sensing into its Windows 11 operating system. Presence Sensing makes use of sensors that determine whether a user is near a device. This sensing activity may result in automatic actions, such as locking a device when the user is no longer detected or waking a computer when a user enters the sensor’s detection radius. Users of Windows 11 may soon have control over their devices’ Presence sensing capabilities. In the Insider Preview build 22624.1610, which Microsoft just released, a new privacy setting and API were introduced.
“Windows can automatically turn off your screen when you leave and turn it back on when you return. Permit applications to request access to your presence to facilitate new experiences. “You can disable this at any time in settings,” the description reads. However, according to the Windows insider, the mentioned feature is currently hidden in the latest Canary channel Build 25915. It cannot be activated directly and requires a third-party program such as ViVeTool. In the future, it is anticipated that only devices with a presence sensor will display the toggle. Here are the steps how to enable Presence Sensing feature in Windows 11/10.
What is Presence Sensing?
As the name implies, Presence Sensing is a feature that allows apps to determine when you are near your computer. Apps can use this feature to detect when they are in close proximity to a Windows computer in order to perform various functions, such as automatic login, preventing the device from entering sleep mode, silencing notifications, changing wallpapers on detection presence, playing music, opening apps, etc. If you want to know more information about this so you can visit Microsoft Official Website.
Obviously, the feature can also detect when you’re away from your device and activate a screen saver, lock the device, or put it to sleep to conserve battery life. With these settings, you can now restrict or enable access to presence sensors for specific apps. This means you have greater control over your privacy and can prevent apps from collecting and using your information without your permission. Presence detection has additional applications. Microsoft, for example, explains that devices can be automatically locked when unattended to safeguard sensitive files and other information.
How to enable Presence Sensing feature in Windows 11/10
Using Setting option
- Launch the Settings app on your Windows computer.
- Select “Privacy & Security.”
- Select the “Presence sensing” option.
- Toggle the “Presence sensing access” switch on.
- Ensure that “Let apps access Presence Sensing” is also set to On.
- Find the app you wish to grant access to your presence sensor and toggle its status to On.
- If the app cannot be located, it is likely a desktop application. Desktop apps cannot be toggled individually, but their access can be controlled collectively using “Allow desktop apps to access Presence Sensing.”
Using the ViveTool tool
- Download the Vivetool tool from GitHub and extract it to any folder; however, you must remember the folder path (for instance, C:Program Files (x86)Vivetool). (ViVeTool version 0.3.2)
- To open the command prompt, press the Win key (or use the mouse) to open the start menu, type “cmd“, and then select “with administrator privileges“.
- Use cd to navigate to the ViveTool folder, for instance “cd C:Program Files (x86)ViVeTool-v0.3.2.”
- Enter vivetool /enable /id: 39484957 then pressing Enter.
- Restart the computer.
System Requirements for Presence Sensing
| Component | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 or later | Windows 10 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 or equivalent | Intel Core i5 or equivalent |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Hard Disk Space | 100 MB for software installation | 500 MB or more for data storage |
| USB Ports | 1 available USB port | 2 or more available USB ports |
| Sensors | Compatible presence sensing sensors | High-quality presence sensing sensors |
| Graphics Card | Integrated graphics card | Dedicated graphics card for 3D sensing |
| Network Connectivity | Ethernet or Wi-Fi for data transfer | Ethernet for high-speed data transfer |
| Display Resolution | 1280 x 720 or higher | 1920 x 1080 or higher |
Benefits of using Presence Sensing
- By detecting the presence of individuals or objects: in potentially hazardous areas, such as industrial machinery zones, presence sensing devices can aid in preventing accidents. They can initiate immediate shutdowns or alerts to prevent accidents.
- Accident Prevention: By stopping or slowing down machinery or equipment when a person or object is detected in a hazard zone, presence sensing can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities.
- Increased Productivity: By automating processes, presence sensing can increase productivity in industrial settings. When no personnel are present, machines can operate at optimal speeds and slow down or stop when necessary.
- In building automation systems: presence sensors can control the lighting, heating and cooling systems. They ensure efficient utilization of resources by activating or deactivating them based on occupancy.
- Presence sensing can lead to cost: savings in the form of reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance costs as a result of decreased equipment wear and tear, and fewer accidents that may result in medical expenses and downtime.
Privacy and Security Considerations for Presence Sensing
| Consideration | Privacy Implications | Security Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | – Presence sensing collects data on individual movements and activities, potentially invading privacy.<br>- Personal data may be collected without consent. | – Unauthorized access to collected data can lead to privacy breaches.<br>- Data should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. |
| Consent | – Obtaining consent from individuals for presence sensing is crucial to address privacy concerns.<br>- Consent processes must be transparent and informative. | – Failure to obtain consent may lead to legal and ethical issues.<br>- Access control mechanisms are necessary to restrict data access to authorized users only. |
| Data Storage | – Storing presence data requires secure storage solutions to prevent data leaks.<br>- Retention policies must be defined and followed. | – Data breaches could result in the exposure of sensitive information.<br>- Secure storage protocols and encryption should be in place. |
| Data Anonymization | – Anonymizing data can protect individual identities.<br>- Aggregated data is less privacy-invasive. | – Poor anonymization techniques can be reversed, compromising privacy.<br>- Robust anonymization methods should be implemented. |
Questions and Answers
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