Camera, audio, and microphone issues
In Windows ARC, having a camera and microphone as part of your robot lets you track objects, use telepresence exosphere, take pictures, record videos, and more. Many apps and services request and use the camera or microphone, and Windows settings give you control over which apps can use your camera or microphone.
Some worry about unknown apps, organizations, or malware using their camera or microphone. Whenever your camera or microphone is used, you should be in charge. To help you understand when your camera is turned on, the following indicators are provided:
If your device 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.
To help you understand when your microphone is in use, the following indicators are provided:
A microphone icon will be displayed in the notification area of the taskbar.
See which apps currently use your camera or microphone or have recently accessed your camera or microphone.
In Windows 10, go to:
Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera
Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone
In Windows 11, go to:
Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera
Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
Note: This functionality does not exist in Windows 10 versions 1809 and earlier.
Microsoft Windows also provides settings to keep you in control, as described in the following sections.
Camera or microphone controls might be turned off if you’re using a device assigned to you by your workplace or if you’ve added a work account to your device. If that’s the case, you’ll see Your organization manages some settings at the top of the Camera or Microphone settings pages.
Three types of cameras
There are three types of cameras that apps and services may have access to, depending on what type of cameras come with or are installed on your device:
A color camera is used for taking traditional color photos or videos.
An infrared camera takes a grayscale (black and white) photo or video based on infrared intensity.
A depth camera can see the shapes of items in front of it and how far they are from the device. For example, a depth camera can recognize when a person is in front of the device.
How to control which apps can use the camera
Do one of the following:
In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
In Windows 10, ensure Camera access for this device, Allow apps to access your camera, and ensure the individual toggle for the Microsoft Store app you wish to use is turned on. If you do not see the app or website you're looking for in the list, it's likely a desktop app. Desktop apps cannot be individually toggled, but access for those apps can be controlled using Allow desktop apps to access your camera.
In Windows 11, ensure Camera access, Let apps access your camera, and provide the individual toggle for the Microsoft Store app you wish to use is turned on. If you do not see the app or website you're looking for in the list, it's likely a desktop app. Desktop apps cannot be individually toggled, but access for those apps can be controlled using Let desktop apps access your camera.
For more info about controlling camera access on your device, see Manage app permissions for your camera in Windows.
How to control which apps can use the microphone
Do one of the following:
In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
In Windows 10, ensure that Microphone access for this device, Allow apps to access your microphone, and the individual toggle for the Microsoft Store app you wish to use is turned on. If you do not see the app or website you're looking for in the list, it's likely a desktop app. Desktop apps cannot be individually toggled, but access for those apps can be controlled using Allow desktop apps to access your microphone.
In Windows 11, ensure that Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone, and the individual toggle for the Microsoft Store app you wish to use is turned on. If you do not see the app or website you're looking for in the list, it's likely a desktop app. Desktop apps cannot be individually toggled, but access for those apps can be controlled using Let desktop apps access your microphone.