3 ways to disable the built-in camera, microphone in Windows 10, 11

Unlike previous versions, Windows 10 and 11 offer a privacy-focused environment to its customers. If you care more about privacy, you can disable the built-in camera and microphone in your Windows system. In this article, we will introduce you to 3 effective ways to disable your webcam and microphone. You should also learn save your data in Windows 10.

Also, read | 4 ways to read related WIFI passwords in Windows 11

Disable the built-in camera, microphone in Windows 10/11

Use the Settings app to disable the camera and microphone

Both Windows 10 and 11 offer manual disabling of the built – in camera and microphone access using the Settings app. Note that this feature is only available for versions above Windows 10 version 1809. Follow these simple steps to disable it.

• Press the Windows key, search Settings app and open it.

• Click on in the left sidebar Privacy and security in Windows 11. In Windows 10 you need to look Privacy and open it.
• Scroll down to find Camera and open it.

• Turn off the power switch Camera access.

• Similarly, go back and open Microphone.
• Turn off the power switch Microphone access.

• That’s it. You have successfully disabled camera and microphone access in Windows 10 and 11.

Use Device Manager to disable the built-in camera and microphone

The Device Manager application allows you to manage all types of hardware connected to the Windows system. With the help of this application you can effectively control or disable the built-in camera and microphone access. Follow these simple steps to do the same.

• Press the Windows key, search Device Manager application and open it.

• Find and expand Camera by clicking on it.
• Right-click your default camera and select Disable the device.

• Similarly, click on Audio inputs and outputs to expand it.
• Right-click on the default Microphone name and click Disable the device.

• Well done. You have successfully disabled the built-in camera and microphone hardware in Windows 10/11.

Use the Windows Control Panel to disable the microphone and camera

The control panel is one of the most powerful administrative tools in Windows. You can use this tool to manually control and disable access to the camera and microphone in your system. Follow these simple steps to achieve the same.

• Press the Windows key, search Control panel application and open it.

• Click on Hardware and sound.

• Open the sound options by clicking Sound.

• Go to Recording card and find the name of the default microphone.
• Right-click on Microphone and choose Disable.

• Go back to Devices and printers and click on Device Manager below it.

• Expand Cameras and right-click on the default camera name.
• Click on Disable the device to disable the camera.

Bonus: Prevent access to the camera and microphone to certain applications

Both Windows 10 and 11 offer a feature to control access to related hardware for specific applications. You can use this feature to enable or disable camera and microphone access to certain specific applications. Follow these simple steps to achieve this on your Windows system.

• Open up Settings application in your system.

• Click on Privacy and security in Windows 11. If you are using Windows 10, you must click on Privacy in the left sidebar.
• Scroll down to find Camera and click on it.

• In the right section, scroll down and find the application that you do not want to allow access to the camera and turn off the corresponding switch.

• Similarly, go back and open Microphone by clicking on it.
• Find an application that you do not want to allow access to the microphone and turn it off.

• That’s it. You have successfully disabled camera and microphone access to certain applications in your Windows 10/11 system.

Finish

So, this is a pack of 3 ways to disable the built-in camera and microphone in Windows 10 and 11. If this article helped protect your privacy, click the Like button and share this article with your friends to keep them safe in this digital the world. As always, stay with us for more guides like this.

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