Instructions for managing cameras on Windows 11 PCs

Before you start using the camera on your Windows PC, you need to make sure you have customized the necessary settings to make sure that not every application on the system has access to the camera, and that the permissions are private. Your privacy is not violated.

This article will show you how to manage the camera on a Windows 11 computer, including modifying privacy settings to ensure the overall security of the system.

camera management on Windows 11 PC

You should first modify the system's default privacy settings for the camera. Above all, make sure that you are not giving unrestricted access to your camera.

Modify the camera's security settings

Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Settings application by pressing the Win + I key combination.

Step 2: On the Settings application interface that appears, click on Privacy & Security in the left pane.

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Step 3: Navigate to the location of the Camera entry in the App Permissions section and click on it.

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Step 4: Make sure the toggle next to Camera access option is set to 'On'

Step 5: If you want all apps on the system to have access to the Camera, set the Let apps access your camera switch to On.

Step 6: You can also decide which apps are allowed to access the camera and vice versa by customizing the corresponding toggle next to them. You should do this carefully, as granting camera access indiscriminately can sometimes seriously compromise your privacy and security.

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Turn off or on the camera on Windows 11

If for some reason, you want to turn off the camera and don't need to use it for a while, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Settings application by pressing the Win + I key combination.

Step 2: On the Settings application interface that appears, click on Bluetooth & devices from the left pane.

Step 3: Next, look to the right pane and select Camera.

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Step 4: In the Connected cameras section, click to select the camera you want to turn off.

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Step 5: Click to select Disable.

Step 6: Confirm your action by selecting Yes.

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Follow the same procedure to turn the camera back on when needed.

Above are the basic settings to help you better manage the camera on your Windows 11 PC.

Jessica Tanner

Update 26 April 2022