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Turn Off Your Webcam When You're Not Using It

Preview: Rarely use your webcam? Two Windows 11 settings block camera and microphone access for every app and browser. Here's how to switch them off and back on.

If you rarely use your webcam, there's no reason to let programs or websites reach it. Windows 11 has one switch that turns the camera off for everything, including all web browsers, Zoom and Teams. There is a nearby switch to turn off the microphone. These are separate switches.

To Turn the Camera and Microphone Off

1. Right-click the Windows Start button on the taskbar.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Privacy & security on the left.
4. Scroll down to "App permissions” and click Camera.
5. Turn Camera accessOff.
6. Move down to the next item and click Microphone.
7. Turn Microphone access off.

That's it. The camera and microphone are now blocked.

To Turn Them Back On

Follow the same steps and turn Camera and Microphone access back On. When your call or meeting is over, turn it off again.

Good to Know

• If a website asks to use your camera, click Block. Even if you click Allow, the camera stays off until you turn it back on in Settings.
• Built-in shutter. Some laptops have a small sliding cover over the camera. If yours does, close it for extra peace of mind. If not, a small sticker over the lens works too.