▷Windows 10: how to turn off the webcam 🥇

Want to turn off the webcam on Windows 10? What if we told you that you can do this in a few clicks, without having to use scotch tape, or other physical device? In this quick tutorial we will show you how to effectively deactivate your webcam via the control panel to avoid any risk that it will be used to capture images without your knowledge.

Webcams are very practical for communicating in video conversation. But without falling into paranoia, they can also turn against their owners: webcam hacking is on the rise and can have quite terrifying consequences when one is a victim. Cases of extortion have been reported, or simply broadcast of the video stream without the knowledge of the victims on Youtube. So much so that in recent years we have seen several executives and bosses of large companies such as Mark Zuckerberg and ex-FBI boss James Comey physically mask the webcam of their laptop PC with a piece of tape. The FBI also advises to hide your webcam in this way.

This solution has the advantage of being simple, and unstoppably effective - but it still has a rather annoying drawback: it permanently dirties your lens with a mixture of dust and glue residue. And the tape ends up not sticking at all over time. So of course there are other cleaner devices to put there. We offer you another method: it is not 100% foolproof, but it already greatly reduces the risk of being hacked in this way.

How to turn off the webcam directly in Windows 10

For that, it's very simple :

On your PC simultaneously press the keys Win + R
type devmgmt.msc and Starter
Le Gestionnaire de périphériques opens: look for an entry named Webcam, Video Camera, Video Input Device, or similar - it depends on your version of Windows and the webcam driver
Click on it to see the devices; you should then see the name and brand of your webcam or, failing that, a generic name
Right click on it
Click on Deactivate the device

The device is then turned off by the operating system. It is possible to reactivate it by following the same path, and choosing Activate the device.

Is it as secure as a piece of tape?

Yes and no. Regarding the operating system, no webcam is available and cannot be activated by an application. However, specialized malware can very well search for a USB device and try to force the activation of the webcam with its own drivers to capture its stream. In other words, there is a gain in terms of security by deactivating your webcam via the Control panel, but this one is unfortunately not completely absolute, especially if the pirates who target you put the means ...

Read also: He spies on 150 young women via their webcam and receives 18 months in prison

Conclusion: it all depends on your case

One or the other solution is suitable depending on the case:

You don't use the webcam? Simply unplug it, it's an unnecessary risk
Can't physically unplug the webcam or often use apps like Skype? Invest in a cache

Which method do you prefer to make your webcam inoperative when you are not using it? Share your tips in the comments of this article.