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Microsoft’s mission to improve Windows 11 pays off with improved webcam tools

Pabio December 17, 2024

Windows 11 (Build 26120.2702) is currently in testing
A new feature is support for multiple applications accessing the webcam at the same time
More webcam settings are coming

Microsoft keep tinkering Windows 11but this time it seems like it added a feature that many of us were asking for (rather than pushing even more announcements in the Start menu): support for multiple applications to access the webcam immediately.

As Windows Central Reportsa first version of Windows 11 (Build 26120.2702) is currently being tested by people enrolled in the Windows Insider Program and includes a new cross-app camera feature.

Right now, you can only use one camera app at a time in Windows 11, so if you’re on a video call using Google For example, if you want to stream on Twitch at the same time, you won’t be able to do so: you have to choose which app has access to the camera.

New advanced camera setup: “Allows multiple apps to access the camera feed simultaneously” https://t.co/N4KJvg1nHnDecember 13, 2024

This new feature means you won’t have to choose one app at a time to access your webcam: multiple apps will be able to access it at the same time. I don’t know if there is a limit to the number of applications you can run simultaneously with access to the webcam, but using a lot could have a big impact on your PC’s performance.

A welcome addition in accessibility

While there are many scenarios where you might want two or more apps to access your webcam at the same time, Microsoft has highlighted the accessibility benefits of this new feature, particularly to the hearing-impaired community.

Since the pandemic, more people than ever are relying on webcams to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues, so any additional features like this could prove popular. Windows Central also claims that Microsoft is working on other webcam settings that will also let you control the resolution, frame rate, and media type of your images.

It’s certainly a welcome addition and a nice change from Microsoft forcing features into Windows 11 that no one wants. More updates like this, and fewer of those that try to add more ads or force us to use AI features, would do wonders for Windows 11’s reputation.

Hopefully the feature will prove effective in testing and will be included in an official Windows 11 update soon.

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Mondor Festival

Microsoft’s mission to improve Windows 11 pays off with improved webcam tools

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Microsoft’s mission to improve Windows 11 pays off with improved webcam tools

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