Microsoft is rolling in the new year with a little treat for Windows 11 users, particularly those who rely heavily on their cameras—whether for work-from-home calls, content creation, or just plain experimenting with camera feeds (no judgment). In a move that some might call overdue, they’ve focused on beefing up their camera-related software features, making it more customizable and versatile. What’s new? Let’s dive in.
For those in the Windows Insider Program, the new features are live in version 26120.2702 on the Dev Channel. If you’re not on that channel but fancy trying these upgrades early, you'll have to jump into the Windows Insider Program first (more on how to do that later in this article).
It’s worth noting how the company is further reducing reliance on OEM software for relatively basic tasks. While features like multi-app access cater heavily to power users, they also suggest that Microsoft aims to better integrate Windows into broader creative, productivity, and personal use cases.
If you're someone who splits your time between endless video calls, Twitch streams, content creation, or hybrid workflows, this update might smooth out persistent pain points. That said, we hope the features find their way onto more cameras sooner rather than later—because exclusivity never thrills anyone.
Got thoughts on these new tools or tips for optimizing your camera experience on Windows 11? Jump into the forums and share ideas with other Windows enthusiasts!
Source: PCWorld Microsoft adds new camera features to Windows 11
The Update Rundown: What’s Cooking in Windows 11?
Windows 11's latest update (accessible now on the Dev Channel) brings several handy features for supported cameras.- Customize Brightness, Contrast, and Sharpness:
Tired of constantly tweaking your lighting setup, only to glare at yourself in cringe-worthy live feeds and calls? Now, for supported cameras, you can easily adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and even sharpness directly within the operating system. No more digging through third-party apps or relying on dubious software overlays. - Resolution and Frame Rate Controls:
Tweak video resolution and frame rates directly from Windows. This means you can balance performance and quality—whether you need crisp 1080p for recording or smoother streams at lower quality like 720p for meetings. For gamers or streamers, this could be a practical boon. - Simultaneous Multi-App Camera Access:
Here’s the headliner: multiple apps will now be able to simultaneously access your camera. Picture this—you’re using your webcam to join your Zoom meeting while OBS records the same feed for streaming or local storage. Previously, many cameras in Windows 11 could only be monopolized by a single application at a time. This change is Microsoft’s way of addressing a longstanding request from users juggling multiple camera-based workflows.
Availability: Will Your Camera Be Invited to the Party?
Before you go hunting for these goodies in your settings, Microsoft has clarified that availability is limited to certain camera models. If your hardware doesn’t currently fall under the supported list, you might need to wait for driver updates—or perhaps shell out for newer hardware.For those in the Windows Insider Program, the new features are live in version 26120.2702 on the Dev Channel. If you’re not on that channel but fancy trying these upgrades early, you'll have to jump into the Windows Insider Program first (more on how to do that later in this article).
Why These Features Matter (And Why You Should Care)
Let’s face it—Microsoft’s built-in camera software hasn’t exactly been the life of the party. For years, users have been dependent on third-party solutions to control even rudimentary settings. So why does this update deserve your attention?1. Built-In Convenience Without Third-Party Hassles
Sure, Logitech’s Capture or Elgato’s software let you tweak camera settings, but isn’t it nice when your operating system can just do the job? By integrating these controls natively, Windows 11 ensures compatibility and eliminates a common pain point: installing extra software that might bloat your system or crash at inopportune times.2. Multi-App Access Rewrites How We Use Cameras
This might sound small, but let’s talk impact. Ever tried starting a video call while apps like OBS Studio were already using your webcam, only to find out they wouldn’t share the feed? Infuriating! Multi-app camera access means streamers, remote workers, and YouTubers won’t have to juggle time-consuming workarounds anymore.3. Resolution and Frame Rate Control in Everyday Scenarios
Choosing frame rates and resolution based on your task is a big deal, especially when your workflow (or internet bandwidth) benefits from flexibility. Whether you’re adjusting for resource conservation in a call or cranking up the quality for content creation, having this right at your fingertips is a breath of fresh air.How to Enable and Try the New Features
If you’re curious to see how these upgrades work but aren’t seeing them in your current setup, don’t panic—here’s how you can jump in as a beta tester:- Join the Windows Insider Program:
- Open your
Settingsapp. - Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
- Opt for the Dev Channel (this is where bleeding-edge updates like this land first).
- Open your
- Update to Build 26120.2702:
- After enrolling in the Insider Program, go to Windows Update and let your system pull the latest builds available under the Dev Channel.
- Test Drive the Features:
- You can access the new camera settings via a supported device. Check them out under the Camera section within Settings or directly when enabling your webcam in apps.
A Glimpse Into Microsoft’s Grand Plan for Windows
What’s fascinating is not just what Microsoft has added but how it signals the company’s future intentions. As hybrid work setups become mainstream and video communication continues to dominate, recognizing user needs for seamless workflows is becoming crucial.It’s worth noting how the company is further reducing reliance on OEM software for relatively basic tasks. While features like multi-app access cater heavily to power users, they also suggest that Microsoft aims to better integrate Windows into broader creative, productivity, and personal use cases.
What Still Needs Improvement?
Let’s play devil’s advocate for a second. While the new features hit some sweet spots, here are lingering gaps worth noting:- Limited Camera Compatibility: The main buzzkill here. Microsoft hasn’t released a comprehensive list of which cameras will benefit from these features, so don't get your hopes up without verifying.
- Settings Accessibility: Having brightness, contrast, resolution, or frame rates buried under Settings might make them less intuitive for casual users. Dynamic UI prompts or app-specific overlays would enhance accessibility.
- Customization Depth: While the added tweaks are good, advanced users might yearn for more—manual tweaks like ISO, shutter speed, or color grading could elevate this beyond the basics.
Final Thoughts: Is This a Game-Changer or Just Catching Up?
Microsoft’s introduction of camera brightness, contrast, sharpness, resolution control, and multi-app access is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for Windows 11. While it might feel like they’re merely catching up with third-party tools, the native integration, system-level compatibility, and usability boost set it apart.If you're someone who splits your time between endless video calls, Twitch streams, content creation, or hybrid workflows, this update might smooth out persistent pain points. That said, we hope the features find their way onto more cameras sooner rather than later—because exclusivity never thrills anyone.
Got thoughts on these new tools or tips for optimizing your camera experience on Windows 11? Jump into the forums and share ideas with other Windows enthusiasts!
Source: PCWorld Microsoft adds new camera features to Windows 11
