Fix: 'WindowsLocationProvider is already defined as the target namespace' error in Windows 10 Group Policy Editor
"WindowsLocationProvider is already defined" problem description: On a Windows 10 based computer the following error is appeared while trying to open Group Policy Editor: "Namespace 'Microsoft.Policies.Sensors.WindowsLocationProvider' is already defined as the target namespace for another file in the store.
File C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx, line 5, column 110".
The "Namespace 'Microsoft.Policies.Sensors.WindowsLocationProvider'…" issue is occurred because at the latest Windows 10 update {Version 1511 (Build 10586)}, the "Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx" was renamed to "LocationProviderADM.admx".
In this tutorial you can find detailed instructions on how to resolve the "Windows Location Provider" error while opening Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 & Server 2012 & 2008.
How to fix the 'WindowsLocationProvider is already defined error' on Windows 10 & Windows Server 2008 & 2012.
Note: Before continue close Group Policy Editor.
1. Open command prompt with Administrative privileges. To do that:
- Right click on Start menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin).
2. At the command prompt window, give the following two (2) commands (press Enter after typing each of them) to grant ownership to administrators:
- takeown /f C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx /a
- takeown /f C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US\Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.adml /a
3. Then give to administrators Full Control permissions on the above files by typing these two (2) commands:
- icacls C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx /grant administrators:F
- icacls C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US\Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.adml /grant administrators:F
4. Close command prompt and open Windows Explorer.
5. Navigate to "C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\" folder and rename the "Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx" file to "Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdmx.old".
6. Then navigate to "C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US\" folder and rename the "Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.admx" file to "Microsoft-Windows-Geolocation-WLPAdm.old".
7. Now open Group Polity Editor (gpedit.msc). The "WindowsLocationProvider" error should be gone!
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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