How to Stop Apps from Using Your Camera on Windows 11
Do you suspect that the camera on your Windows 11 PC or laptop is running without your permission? Then don’t worry, you are not alone. Where we use an external webcam with a computer, laptops come with a built-in camera. Many apps and software access our system camera without asking, which may pose a threat to privacy.
Many users put tape over the camera for privacy reasons. Although this is a temporary solution, the good thing is that Windows allows us to block apps from using the camera. You can ensure which application will use your laptop’s camera and which app will not.
In this article, I have shared two methods that will teach you how to block apps from using the camera in Windows 11. By doing this, you can digitally control your online privacy and security. I’ve listed all the steps below in detail.
How to Stop Apps from Using Your Camera on Windows 11
#1. Prevent Webcam Access for Specific Apps
If your system has multiple applications (pre-installed and third-party) and you want to disable webcam access for a specific app, then it is possible. Through Windows settings, you can block camera access for selective applications.
To turn off camera access for a specific app in Windows 11:
- Press Windows + I Hotkey to Quickly Access Windows Settings.
- Click on Privacy & Security > Camera.
- Simply, Turn Off the Toggle Switch Next to the App You Want to Block Webcam Access For.
Also read: 4 Quick Ways to Find Product Key on Windows 11
#2. Prevent Webcam Access for All Apps at Once
If you want to block camera access permissions for all installed apps at once instead of blocking them individually, this is also easy. By doing this, any apps that require camera access won’t be able to use your camera. However, you can allow webcam access for all apps again whenever you want.
To turn off camera access for all apps at once in Windows 11:
- Press Windows + I Hotkey to Quickly Access Windows Settings.
- Click on Privacy & Security > Camera.
- Simply, Turn Off the Toggle Switch Next to Camera Access.
That’s all! You’re done…
You may also like:
- How to Create Shutdown and Restart Shortcut in Windows 11
- 3 Ways to Disable Fast Startup on Windows 11/10
- How to Reset Camera Settings on Windows 11
FAQs
Q 1. How do I find out which app is currently using my camera in Windows 11?
Answer – If you want to check which app is currently using your PC’s camera, follow these steps: Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. If you see the message ‘Currently in use’ below an app, it means that app is currently accessing your camera.
Q 2. Does turning off camera access in Windows 11 affect video calls in browsers like Chrome or Edge?
Answer – Yes! If you turn off camera access for the browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Brave), video calls will not work. However, when you try to use the camera on a website, the browser will ask you for permission. You can allow or block at that time.
I hope you found this article quite helpful and learned how to stop apps from using your camera on Windows 11. If you have any problem or question related to Windows 11, feel free to ask by commenting below. Do share this article.
