How to Disable Integrated Camera or Webcam in Windows
In Windows 10, having a camera as part of your device or system lets you make Skype video calls, take pictures, etc. Many apps and services request and use the camera, and Windows settings give you control over which apps can use your camera.
Some people worry about unknown apps, organizations, or malware using their camera. Whenever your camera is used, you should be in charge. That’s why you’re always told when your camera is turned on:
- If your device or camera comes with a camera light, the light will turn on when the camera is in use.
- If your system doesn’t have a camera light, you’ll get a notification to let you know when the camera turns on or off.
For more information, see: Windows 10 camera and privacy
If you have a tablet, laptop, or notebook with a integrated (built-in) camera (aka: webcam), you may be wondering how to disable it for privacy and security reasons when it's not being used.
Disabling the camera can be important since there is a potential for malware to take over the camera and spy on you with it.
This tutorial will show you how to completely disable an integrated camera or webcam as needed in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Camera or Webcam using Kill Switch
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Camera or Webcam in Settings
- Option Three: Disable Camera or Webcam in Device Manager
- Option Four: Enable Camera or Webcam in Device Manager
- Option Five: Allow or Deny Camera Access for this Device in Settings
- Option Six: Turn On or Off Camera using Context Menu
- Option Seven: Enable or Disable Use of Camera for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Eight: Enable or Disable Use of Camera for All Users using a REG file
Some newer laptops (ex: HP Spectre x360) now have a physical switch that turns off your PC's camera.
1 Toggle on or off the privacy camera kill switch for what you want. (see screenshot below)
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 21354.
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Devices icon.
2 Click/tap on Cameras on the left side. (see screenshots below step 4)
3 Click/tap on the camera or webcam (ex: "Logitech BRIO") on the right side. (see screenshots below step 4)
4 Click/tap on the Enable or Disable button depending on current status and for what you want. (see screenshots below)
5 If you clicked on Disable, click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 You can now close Settings if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
2 Expand open Cameras or Imaging devices depending on which one you have available. (see screenshot below step 3)
3 Right click on your camera device, and click/tap on Disable device. (see screenshot below)
If you have a separate IR camera type device listed, this would be the infrared camera used by Windows Hello face recognition.
4 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
5 When finished, you can close Device Manager if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.
1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
2 Expand open Cameras or Imaging devices depending on which one you have available. (see screenshot below step 3)
3 Right click on your disabled camera device, and click/tap on Enable device. (see screenshot below)
4 When finished, you can close Device Manager if you like.
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17063.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.
2 Click/tap on Camera on the left side, click/tap on the Change button on the right side, and turn On (default) or Off Camera access for this device for what you want. (see screenshots below)
Special thank you to Matthew Wai for providing this option.
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17063.
While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove this context menu, all users will be able to use the context menu if added.
The Camera on/off (toggle) context menu performs the same action as doing Option Four, but making it much easier to do on demand.
1 Download the .bat file below depending on if you want to add or remove the Camera on/off (toggle) context menu.
2 Unblock the downloaded .bat file, and run the .bat file.
3 When finished, press a key to close the command prompt window. (see screenshots below)
4 If added, you will now have the Camera on/off (toggle) context menu below available when you right click on the desktop. (see screenshot below)
5 When you use the Camera on/off (toggle) context menu, you will need to press the Win + M keys when you see the notification to apply. (see screenshots below)
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
If you disable the use of camera using this option, it will gray out and disable the Camera access for this device setting in Option Five above.
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. All editions can use Option Eight below to set this same policy using a .reg file instead.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Camera
3 In the right pane of Camera in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow Use of Camera policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7 When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the same policy as Option Seven.
If you disable the use of camera using this option, it will gray out and disable the Camera access for this device setting in Option Five above.
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD and hex values in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Camera
LetAppsAccessCamera DWORD value
(delete) = Enable
0 = Disable
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Default_allow_use_of_camera_for_all_users.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_camera_for_all_users.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Camera in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Camera and Microphone in Application Guard for Microsoft Edge in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable the Microphone in Windows
- How to Enable or Disable Camera On/Off On-screen Display (OSD) Notifications in Windows 10
- How to Change or Restore Default Image Settings for Camera in Windows 10
Disable Integrated Camera or Webcam in Windows
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New #1
Simple but very important tut Brink. Thanks!
Quick question, do you think someone can still "use" a PC cam even if the PC owner uses VPN service? Can VPN also help keep snoopers away?
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New #2
Hey badrobot,
I wouldn't think a VPN could completely prevent it since if hijacked by malware, it could send a feed over your VPN or any Internet connection.
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New #6
Why not turn it off via the privacy settings?
ms-settings:privacy-webcam
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New #9
I see a few clients disable the feeling by putting a small stamp, label, dark tape over the lens, even if activated can't see anything.
Disable Integrated Camera or Webcam in Windows
How to Disable Integrated Camera or Webcam in WindowsPublished by Shawn BrinkCategory: Hardware & Drivers
08 Apr 2021
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