Device privacy settings in Windows 10

In this article, we will show you how to change camera and microphone privacy settings in Windows 10.

Microphone settings

To provide access to a microphone, you need to use Settings. There are two ways to open this menu:

1. In the bottom left corner of screen, in search bar, type "Microphone privacy settings".

Select desired search result from the list.

2. If there is no search bar, go to Start menu and select Settings.

In the opened window, there is an input field. Type "Microphone privacy settings" and select a corresponding result.

When you open desired menu, first, check setting that we have illustrated below.

It turns on general access to recording devices on your computer.

Make sure it's enabled. You also need to check setting below, to grant access to your microphone for applications that are installed on computer and can use it.

To use your microphone in browser, you need to enable setting, which is located at the very bottom in an open window.

Change switch position as shown in screenshot below.

If necessary, you can change access for each application on your computer separately. You can do this in menu above.

There is a list of programs on computer that can use a microphone.

Camera settings

You can change access using Settings. Several ways for open this menu:

1. Use search bar in the bottom left corner of screen and type "Camera privacy settings".

Select necessary search result.

2. If there is no search bar, you can use another way. Open Start menu and select Settings as shown in screenshot below.

New window has a field for entering text. Use it and type "Camera privacy settings" and select necessary search result.

When you get to menu where you can change camera privacy settings, first thing you need to check is a basic settings that we have indicated in screenshot below.

Change position of switch to on. Camera has now been granted general access.

Then you will need to change setting that is responsible to accessing camera for applications in which it can be used. In screenshot below, we have illustrated two main settings that need to be toggled.

If you want to use your camera in browser, scroll down and change position of switch as shown in image below.

If necessary, you can change access for each application on your computer separately. You can do this in menu above, which lists all programs on computer that can use a camera.