Let’s learn how to Enable and Disable Camera in Windows 11. The Camera settings page in Windows 11 helps you manage the cameras connected to your device. If you have administrator access, you can disable and enable cameras for everyone using your device.
In camera settings, you can set default settings for each camera. These settings are stored for each camera and user and do not synchronize between multiple Windows devices. When an app uses the camera, it starts with default settings, but not every app will use them.
You need to know how to enable or disable a camera in Windows 11 for privacy purposes. Many users are concerned that apps or websites will access their webcams without their permission. Now, it is easier to turn on or off the camera in Windows 11.
This article details the process of enabling and disabling cameras in Windows 11. Using the system settings and device manager settings can be done.
- Disable Allow Use of Camera Setting Policy using Intune
- Enable Disable Hidden Camera Privacy Indicator in Windows
How to Enable Disable Camera in Windows 11
The Cameras settings page is located in the Bluetooth & devices section and includes all sorts of settings to manage devices, including USB, built-in, and even network cameras. You can restrict app access to these devices using the Privacy settings; the new integration allows you to disable them entirely to improve your privacy further.
There is also a new configuration page to adjust various settings, including the backlight that causes shadows on your face. You can even adjust brightness and contrast, enable Video HDR or Eye Contact, or correct the camera rotation.
Many people worry about unknown applications, organizations or malware using their cameras without permission. The indicators for your camera to know when it is in use or not are listed below for your reference:
- If your device comes with a camera light, the light turns on when the camera is in use.
- If your system does not have a camera light, you will receive a notification when the camera turns on or off.
INDEX |
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Use Shutter to Turn On or Off the Camera |
Use Windows Settings to Enable Disable Camera |
Use Device Manager to Enable Disable Camera |
Exceptions to Camera Privacy Settings |
Resources |
Use Shutter to Turn On or Off Camera
In some laptops, a shutter button can be toggled to turn on or off the camera. As shown in the image below, when you pull the button to the right side, the camera is on, and when you pull the button to the left side, the camera is off, and there is a red mark on the camera.
Use Windows Settings to Enable Disable Camera
You can use Windows Settings to Enable Disable Camera. Click the Windows button, select Settings, or press Win Key + I to open settings directly. Then, under settings, click on the Bluetooth & devices option on the left panel, scroll down to find the Cameras (which shows connected cameras, default image settings etc) in the right panel and click on it.
NOTE! The Camera settings page is unavailable in Windows 10, but some camera manufacturers may offer utilities to modify camera settings. Consult your camera manufacturer for more info.
When the Cameras section opens, the connected default camera is shown under Connected Cameras; if you can, add the network camera by clicking on the search for cameras option. Now click on the Integrated Camera option, as shown in the image below.
When you enter the Integrated Camera section, the camera opens. You see that it is on; under it, you see a button labelled Disable. Click on the button to disable the camera.
NOTE! Your account must have administrator access to enable or disable cameras.
After clicking the Disable button, the next warning pop-up appears: “Disabling this camera would disable multiple cameras on your system. Are you sure you want to disable this device?” Click on the Yes button to disable the camera.
NOTE! Some cameras won’t appear on the Camera settings page. These include infrared (IR) cameras used for Windows Hello Face authentication, cameras using DirectShow technology (like many apps provided by DSLR or action camera manufacturers so their devices can be used as webcams), and proprietary cameras that aren’t managed by Windows—such as industrial cameras and many networked cameras.
Now open settings and click on the Bluetooth & Devices option on the left panel. Scroll down to find the Cameras option and click, as shown in Figure 3 above. Now, you can see the Enable button adjacent to Integrated Camera; click on it to enable the camera.
Use Device Manager to Enable Disable Camera
You can use the Device Manager to Enable Disable Camera in Windows 11. Type Device Manager in the Search Box on the taskbar, then select the appropriate option. Launch the command prompt, press Win Key + R, type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialogue box, and press Enter.
The Device Manager window is open now. Scroll down to find the Cameras option and expand it. After expanding, choose the Integrated Camera option, right-click and then click on the Disable Device option to disable the camera.
Here you can see the warning pop-up for Integrated Camera appears. Disabling this device will cause it to stop functioning. Do you really want to disable it? Click on the Yes button to disable the camera.
To enable it again, open the Device Manager window and scroll down to find and expand the Cameras option. After expanding, choose the Integrated Camera option, right-click and then click on the Enable Device option to enable the camera.
Exceptions to Camera Privacy Settings
If you use Windows Hello to sign in, your PC will sign you in even if the Camera access setting is turned off. If Windows Hello is turned off, your PC won’t access your camera. Some apps take photos or videos with the Camera app. This means that the app will not appear in the list, and its access to the camera is determined by the Camera app’s camera access setting.
The Camera app won’t capture and send any images to the app that opened it unless you explicitly select the capture button in the Camera app. Desktop apps might not appear in the list of apps available on the Camera settings page, but you can still access your camera or microphone even when these settings are turned off.
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Resources
- Manage cameras with Camera settings in Windows 11
- Manage app permissions for your camera in Windows
- Camera doesn’t work in Windows
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Author
Alok is a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) graduate. He loves writing on Windows 11 and related technologies. He likes to share his knowledge, quick tips, and tricks with Windows 11 or Windows 10 with the community.