How To Check Which App Is Using Camera In Windows 10/11

Wondering which apps are using your Windows 10/11 laptop’s camera right now? Do you want to know which apps recently used the camera? If yes, you are in the right place.

Many laptops come with a privacy shutter for the built-in camera so that users can keep the camera shutter closed when not in use. This way, even if an app accesses the camera without user consent, it cannot see anything. However, not all laptops offer this simple feature.

To help users have control over their privacy, Windows 10 and 11 offer settings and options to restrict apps from accessing the camera. You can either prevent all apps from accessing the camera or restrict individual apps from accessing the camera.

Besides that, both Windows 10 and 11 can show you which apps are currently using the camera and which apps recently accessed the camera.

This guide shows you how to check which apps are using the camera in Windows 10 and 11 without using any additional software.

Check which apps are using the camera in Windows 10

For Windows 11 directions, scroll down the page.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to Privacy > Camera page.

Step 2: Scroll down the Camera page. You will see a list of apps. When an app is accessing the camera, the page will show a “Currently in use” warning just below the app’s entry.

The same page also displays if an app recently used the camera.

NOTE: Although the page shows warnings for some desktop apps, it’s accurate for only apps installed from the Microsoft Store or inbox apps. So, it’s possible that a classic desktop program might be using the camera, but it might not show up in the Settings app.

Check which apps are using the camera in Windows 11

Step 1: In the Settings app, navigate to Privacy & security > Camera page.

Step 2: The page shows apps that have access to the camera. Additionally, whenever an app is using the camera, the page shows “Currently in use” warning text just below the app’s entry (refer to the picture below).

To stop an app from accessing the camera, please move the button to the off position next to the app’s entry.

How to disable the camera in Windows 10 guide might also interest you.