Why reviewing connected apps on Windows 11 matters
Windows 11 connects to Microsoft services, third-party apps, and cloud accounts to sync data, improve productivity, and enable sign-in features.
Knowing how to review connected apps on Windows 11 helps you spot stale permissions, reduce account exposure, and keep personal or work data under control.
This process is especially important if you use OneDrive, Microsoft 365, Xbox, Teams, or any app that signs in with a Microsoft account.
A quick audit can reveal which apps still have access, what they can do, and whether any connection should be removed.
What counts as a connected app?
A connected app is any app, website, or service that has permission to access data from your Microsoft account or Windows-connected services.
These connections can be created when you sign in with Microsoft, grant file access, enable calendar syncing, or allow a service to use profile information.
Common examples include:
- Productivity tools linked to Microsoft 365
- Cloud storage services connected to OneDrive
- Gaming and entertainment apps tied to Xbox or Microsoft account sign-in
- Browser extensions or web services that use Microsoft authentication
- Mobile apps connected through account sync or device permissions
How to review connected apps on Windows 11
The most reliable place to review connected apps is your Microsoft account privacy and security pages, because many Windows 11 connections are managed there rather than inside the Settings app.
You can also check Windows sign-in options, installed apps, and account access settings on the device itself.
1. Check your Microsoft account app permissions
Open a browser and sign in to your Microsoft account.
Go to the permissions or connected apps area and review each app or service listed there.
Look for access to profile data, email, contacts, files, or calendar entries.
When reviewing entries, focus on three details:
- The app or service name
- The type of data it can access
- Whether the access is active, limited, or outdated
2. Review privacy and security activity in account settings
Microsoft account dashboards often show recent sign-ins, devices, and account activity.
If an app is tied to an unfamiliar device or login, that is a sign to investigate further.
Suspicious activity can indicate a forgotten connection or a compromised token.
Check for:
- Unknown devices
- Logins from locations you do not recognize
- Repeated permission requests from the same app
- Connections created a long time ago and never used again
3. Inspect installed apps in Windows 11
Open Settings and go to Apps to review what is installed locally.
Not every installed app is connected to your Microsoft account, but many apps request account access after installation.
If you do not recognize an app, look up its publisher before keeping it on the system.
Useful checks include:
- Settings > Apps > Installed apps
- Sort by install date to find recently added software
- Open the app’s advanced options to review permissions where available
4. Review sign-in options tied to your account
Windows 11 can store passkeys, Windows Hello data, and account sign-in methods that support connected services.
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to see whether biometric login, PIN access, or other methods are enabled.
While these are not app permissions in the strict sense, they influence how easily a service can authenticate on your device.
5. Check email, calendar, and cloud sync integrations
If you use Outlook, OneDrive, or Microsoft 365, review which apps can sync mail, meetings, files, or documents.
Many connected services work quietly in the background, and a service may still have access long after you stopped using it.
Pay special attention to:
- Mail and calendar access
- File and folder permissions in OneDrive
- Office add-ins and productivity integrations
- Browser-based single sign-on sessions
How to remove or limit access
After you review connected apps on Windows 11, remove access for anything you no longer trust or use.
In many cases, revoking permission is safer than simply uninstalling the app, because cloud access may remain active even after local removal.
Remove app access from your Microsoft account
Find the app in your Microsoft account permissions list and choose the option to remove or revoke access.
This disconnects the service from your account and prevents it from using stored authorization tokens.
Uninstall unused apps from Windows 11
For apps you do not need, uninstall them from the system.
This reduces background activity, lowers the number of potential permission prompts, and makes future audits easier.
Reset app permissions when needed
Some apps store local permission data that may persist after use.
If an app behaves unexpectedly, clear its data or reset it from Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Advanced options, if available.
Security checks to perform while reviewing connected apps
A permission review is also a good time to strengthen account security.
Connected apps depend on trust, and that trust should be backed by basic protection measures.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for your Microsoft account
- Use a strong, unique password
- Remove old devices you no longer use
- Update Windows 11 and Microsoft Store apps regularly
- Review browser saved sessions and connected extensions
Signs a connected app should be removed immediately
Some access should not wait for a routine audit.
If you notice any of the following, revoke the connection right away and change your password if needed.
- The app requests more data than it needs
- The publisher is unknown or unverified
- You no longer remember authorizing the app
- The app has not been used in months but still holds access
- You see unusual sign-in alerts linked to the app
Best practices for keeping Windows 11 app access under control
Regular reviews are the easiest way to keep account connections manageable.
A quarterly check is enough for most users, while business users and shared-device users may want to review permissions monthly.
- Keep a small list of approved services
- Avoid granting broad access unless the feature requires it
- Prefer apps from trusted vendors like Microsoft, Adobe, Google, and established enterprise providers
- Review connected devices and apps together so you can spot patterns
- Document important work-related integrations before removing anything
When to involve IT or account support
If you use a work-managed Windows 11 device, some connected apps may be controlled by Microsoft Entra ID, Intune, or your organization’s security policies.
In that case, certain permissions may not be removable by the user.
Contact IT support if you see managed apps, enterprise login prompts, or apps you cannot revoke yourself.
It is also wise to contact support if you suspect account compromise, if a connected service keeps reappearing after removal, or if an app is linked to sensitive business data.