Windows 11 is about to support an extremely useful webcam feature

As usual, hidden and unannounced changes and new features accompanying the builds were quickly discovered, including a few extremely notable additions. Such is the case with the latest Dev build, 26120.1542, which contains two new optional features for the webcam, which include the ability to stream content from the webcam to multiple applications simultaneously in real time.

Currently, Windows 11 only allows you to use the webcam in a single application at a time. So, for example, if you launch the Camera app during a Zoom call, the app will display a "Close other apps" message. However, with build 26120.1542, Microsoft is overcoming this limitation. A new hidden feature will let you enable the "Multi-app Camera" feature and stream live content from your webcam to multiple apps at the same time.

Describing this feature, Microsoft said:

This feature was originally designed for the deaf community, allowing multiple video applications to stream simultaneously from a single camera. Once enabled, webcam settings such as Brightness can be changed dynamically.

To enable the " Multi-app Camera " feature , navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Camera , then select the camera you want to use and click " Advanced Camera Settings ". A new window will appear on the screen, allowing you to enable cross-app camera streaming.

In addition to the ability to use the webcam in multiple applications at the same time, Windows 11 build 26120.1542 also has Basic Mode to fix camera problems:

The basic camera streaming function is used to debug serious camera problems, when all other methods have failed.

Microsoft hasn't mentioned the above features in the official release notes, so details are currently unconfirmed. Until then, you can activate and experience these two features using the vivetool app and the following IDs: 49575624, 50292326 and 48433719.

Kareem Winters

Update 22 August 2024