This tutorial will show you how to enable and disable a camera or webcam as needed in Windows 11.
In Windows, having a camera as part of your device lets you make Teams video calls, take pictures, record videos, and more.
Some people worry about unknown apps, organizations, or malware using their camera. Whenever your camera is used, you should be in charge. To help you understand when your camera is turned on, the following indicators are provided:
- If your device comes with a camera light, the light will turn on when the camera is in use.
- If your system doesn’t have a camera light, you’ll get a notification to let you know when the camera turns on or off.
Reference:
Manage cameras with Camera settings in Windows 11 - Microsoft Support
You can see the cameras that are connected to your device and change the default settings for those cameras (such as brightness, contrast, and more). With administrator access, you can also disable and enable cameras for the device.
support.microsoft.com
Camera doesn't work in Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to troubleshoot when the camera is not working in Windows or you see errors 0xA00F4244 or 0x200F4244.
support.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Camera using Kill Switch
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Camera in Settings
- Option Three: Enable or Disable Camera in Device Manager
Some laptops (ex: "HP Spectre x360") have a physical switch that toggles your camera on or off.
1 Toggle on or off the privacy camera kill switch for what you want. (see screenshot below)
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Cameras on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Do step 4 (enable) or step 5 (disable) below for what you want.
4 Enable Camera
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on Enable for the disabled camera you want to enable. (see screenshot below)
B) Go to step 6.
5 Disable Camera
A) Click/tap on the camera you want to disable. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Disable. (see screenshot below)
C) Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
D) Go to step 6.
6 You can now close Settings if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
2 Do step 3 (enable) or step 4 (disable) below for what you want.
3. Enable Camera
This is the default setting.
A) Expand open Cameras or Imaging devices depending on which one you have available. (see screenshot below)
B) Right click on the camera device you want to enable, and click/tap on Enable device.
C) Go to step 5.
4. Disable Camera
A) Expand open Cameras or Imaging devices depending on which one you have available. (see screenshots below)
B) Right click on the camera device you want to disable, and click/tap on Disable device.
C) Click/tap on Yes to confirm.
D) Go to step 5.
5 You can now close Device Manager if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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