Top 4 Ways to Disable the Camera on Windows 11

Your PC’s camera is an essential remote work tool. However, it also poses a serious threat to your privacy as hackers and malicious programs can gain unauthorized access to it through various phishing techniques. One way to protect yourself from such attacks is to disable your Windows 11 PC’s camera when you’re not using it.

Top Ways to Disable the Camera on Windows 11

Of course, if you’re a Desktop user with an external webcam, you can just unplug it. However, if that’s not an option or you don’t wish to keep unplugging and replugging the camera, you can disable it on Windows using various methods. Let’s see how.

1. Disable Camera via the Settings App

The Settings app on Windows 11 lets you view all the cameras connected to your computer. Besides configuring and troubleshooting, you can also disable your PC’s camera via the Settings app. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and click the gear-shaped icon to launch the Settings app.

Open Settings on Windows 11

Step 2: Select the Bluetooth & devices tab in the left column and then click on Cameras.

Cameras on Windows 11

Step 3: Under Connected cameras, you’ll see all the available cameras. Select the camera you want to disable.

Connected Cameras on Windows 11

Step 4: Click the Disable button at the bottom.

Disable camera via Windows Settings

Step 5: Select Yes when the confirmation pop-up appears.

Confirm disable camera via Windows Settings

Step 6: Select Yes again when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears.

Settings App UAC

Once you disable your camera, it will appear under Disabled cameras in the Settings app. You can re-enable your camera again by clicking the Enable button next to it.

Enable Camera via Windows Settings

2. Disable Camera Using Device Manager

Device Manager is a useful tool that displays a graphical view of all the hardware that is connected to your PC. You can use it to configure, manage, and troubleshoot all of your hardware devices, including the camera.

Follow the steps below to disable the camera using the Device Manager on Windows 11.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + X to open the Power User menu and select Device Manager from the list.

Open Device Manager on Windows 11

Step 2: In the Device Manager window, expand the Cameras section by double-clicking on it. Right-click on your camera and select Disable device.

Disable Camera via Device Manager

Step 3: Choose Yes when the warning message appears.

Confirm Disable Camera via Device Manager

Once you complete the above steps, the camera will be disabled. If you want to re-enable the camera at any point, follow the same steps above and select the Enable device option in Step 2.

Enable Camera via Device Manager

3. Disable Camera Access Through Privacy Settings

Another way to disable the camera is to go through the privacy settings on Windows and disable camera access for apps. This method is useful if you only want to disable the camera for a few apps rather than the entire system. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Settings from the menu. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I to quickly launch the Settings app.

Open Settings on Windows 11

Step 2: Use the left sidebar to switch to the Privacy and security tab.

Privacy and Security Settings on Winodws

Step 3: Scroll down to App permissions and click on Camera.

Camera Privacy Settings

Step 4: Toggle off the Camera access option if you want to disable the camera for all apps.

Disable Camera Access on Windows 11

Alternatively, if you only want to disable camera access for a few apps, leave the Camera access toggle turned on, and enable the switch next to ‘Let apps access your camera.’ Then, you can enable or disable an app’s access to the camera by using the toggle next to it.

Disable Camera Access for Apps on Windows 11

Note that Windows 11 keeps track of apps that have recently used your camera. You can scroll down to the end of the page and expand the Recent activity menu to see which apps have accessed your camera in the last 7 days.

Camera Activity for Apps on Windows 11

If you see any suspicious app on this list, you might want to uninstall it or disable its camera access.

4. Disable the Camera From BIOS

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the software responsible for properly booting up your system. Some Windows 11 computers give you the option to disable various features such as Bluetooth, camera, microphone, and more through the BIOS menu. If your PC supports this feature, you can follow the steps below to disable the camera from BIOS.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. In the System tab, click on Recovery.

Windows Settings App Recovery Section

Step 2: Click the Restart now button next to Advanced startup.

Restart Windows to Advanced Startup

Step 3: Wait for your PC to reboot and select Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot Windows 11

Step 4: Click on Advanced options.

Advanced Options

Step 5: Click on UEFI Firmware Settings.

UEFI Firmware Settings

Step 6: Select the Restart option.

Restart to Enter UEFI Firmware

Step 7: Once your PC enters the BIOS mode, head to Security or Privacy section and select an option named Integrated Camera or Webcam. Then, select the Disabled option.

Disable Camera From BIOS

Note: The appearance of the BIOS menu can vary between different computer brands and even different models within the same brand

Step 8: Press F10 to save and exit BIOS.

Once your PC reboots, your camera will be disabled. To undo the above changes, you can repeat the above steps and select the Enabled option for Integrated Camera or Webcam.

FAQs on Disabling the Camera on Windows 11

1. Why is my webcam blurry on Windows 11?

Your webcam may show blurry video if your internet is weak or if the camera drivers on your Windows PC are outdated.

2. Where are the camera settings on Windows 11?

To access the camera settings on Windows 11, open the Settings app and navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Cameras > Connected cameras.

Protect Your Privacy

Your PC’s camera is a useful piece of hardware that lets you communicate with your friends and colleagues via video calls. However, if you don’t use it that often, you may want to disable it using one of the methods mentioned above. Or, you should at least disable camera access for apps that don’t require it.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of repeatedly disabling and re-enabling the camera, why not buy an external webcam with a privacy shutter?

Last updated on 27 June, 2023

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