Windows 11’s new webcam settings make adjusting resolution a breeze – no additional software required
- Windows 11 will soon allow easy adjustments to the webcam resolution in the settings without additional software
- A hidden feature in the Windows Insider build allows users to manually select the webcam resolution and frame rate
- New options include using webcams with multiple apps and a ‘basic’ mode for troubleshooting camera issues
Adjusting the resolution of your webcam on Windows 11 PCs becomes a lot easier – without having to install any additional software. The operating system already offers several webcam settings, which you can find by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. Here you can change webcam settings such as brightness, sharpness and contrast, and soon you will also be able to control the resolution of your webcam.
Signs of the new addition to Windows 11’s webcam settings were picked up and shared by reliable Windows leaker @PhantomOfEarth on will be enabled and which will provide an option to change the image resolution of your webcam. According to Neowin, this option allows you to let Windows 11 automatically choose the best resolution for your webcam or manually select a fixed resolution and frame rate.
Recent Canary builds include an additional advanced camera option: media type, which lets you choose a specific camera resolution. (ID is disabled by default, 27744+)vivetool /enable /id:52142480 pic.twitter.com/vZxAmv7RqkDecember 4, 2024
Enabling this hidden feature ID will add new options to the camera settings menu. There your webcam will (hopefully) now be listed with an ‘Edit’ option. When you select this, you’ll be presented with a list of resolutions available for your webcam, as well as two other new options, including letting multiple apps use your webcam at the same time and a ‘basic’ mode you can enable if your It seems like the webcam is not working properly – similar to booting Windows into ‘Safe Mode’ to troubleshoot OS issues.
When we expect the new settings and how you can get them now
If your computer is running one of the latest versions of Windows 11 (build 27744 or newer), you can enable this new setting for yourself, although you’ll need to use ViveTool to do so. I would recommend you check it out Neowin’s explanation how to do this if you would like to test this new feature early.
Overall, this is a positive update for Windows 11 (something that’s been… a bit rare lately), especially since deeper customization of your webcam often required the use of third-party apps. This can be especially useful during video calls or meetings, or if you want to quickly switch video quality while recording.
This change is still a hidden feature in a preview version of Windows 11, but if it makes it this far, I expect we’ll see it in a future update to the live public version of the operating system fairly soon.