Microsoft releases preview for Windows 11 update (version 24H2), introducing an optional virtual camera which allows multiple applications to access and stream video from the camera simultaneously. The update is part of the Insider Preview Build 26120.1542.
While it might seem like Windows restricts multi-app camera access for security and privacy reasons, this limitation actually stems from the technical constraints of older hardware and software architectures.
Back when Windows wasn’t as powerful, sharing a camera between two or more apps was not easy, as that would slow down everything. Another challenge was that the apps might not agree on settings, like brightness or other video quality.
Recently, a user on X (formerly Twitter) noticed a new feature hidden in a preview build of the upcoming major release update, version 24H2. They pointed out a new advanced camera configuration section where users can switch between “Multi-App Camera” and “Camera Basic Mode.”
Microsoft says the multi-app camera mode is designed to benefit the hard-of-hearing community. It allows video streaming to multiple applications simultaneously. Once it is on, users can adjust basic settings like brightness directly from this interface. On the other hand, the basic mode seems to be there for debugging the camera in the event issues may arise.
This update will possibly be available soon in the upcoming major update and provide an alternative for users using performance-intensive third-party solutions for this problem. Still, it is unclear what Microsoft may have meant by saying that the new camera update is an accessibility feature for the hard-on-hearing community.
Despite the ambiguity, Microsoft has been steadily widening the scope of accessibility features in their operating system, starting with improvements to the live captions, previously released back in version 22H2. This feature is capable of providing real-time captions for PC games, making it a game-changer for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Additionally, the build redesigns the Widgets entry point on the taskbar and improves taskbar navigation via keyboard shortcuts. The major 24H2 update is also expected to be released later this year, although it is already available for the new Copilot+ PCs that began shipping on June 18.
With the KB5041872 update now live for Windows Insiders in the Dev channel, users can explore these new features and provide feedback that will shape future iterations of the operating system.
