Control access to your webcam in Windows 10

Today I’m going to show you how to check out which apps on your PC have access to your webcam. This can work two ways. It can someone from using an app on your PC to spy on you without permission. It can also help you make sure that apps you want to access your webcam, like Skype, can use your webcam.

First, click your Start Button and choose Settings.

settings-start-menu

Select Privacy.

windows-settings-privacy.jpg

Choose Camera.

windows-settings-camera.jpg

Here you can decide if any app can use your camera at all.

windows-settings-camera-off.jpg

If you want to make it available to some apps, scroll down and select which apps can access the camera by moving the slider button. If you turn off access, the app will have to ask your permission to access the camera each time you want to use it.

windows-settings-apps.jpg

You can also tap Microphone in the left panel.

windows-settings-microphone.jpg

And either turn off all access or control which apps can use the microphone.

windows-settings-microphone-on.jpg

One thought on “Control access to your webcam in Windows 10

  1. Cyn, I followed your instructions and was surprised at the list of applications in the Camera. I have no idea why some (most?) of these applications (e.g. Photos) would need access to my webcam. I obviously understand why Skype would need access.

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