Apps can't access camera/mic on Windows 10 April Update? [FIX]

2 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

updated on October 4, 2023

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windows 10 april update camera microphone fix

If your apps and programs can’t access your computer’s camera or microphone after installing the Windows 10 April Update, you’re not the only one. Believe it or not, absolutely all the Windows 10 users who installed the latest OS version on their machines encountered this problem.

I installed the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and now one of my apps that uses the camera or webcam no longer has access to it. How can I resolve this problem?

Microsoft decided to give users better control over their Windows 10 devices. The company blocked third-party apps and programs from accessing your computer’s webcam and microphone to protect your privacy. If you downloaded and install a third-party camera app, Windows 10 now automatically blocks its access to your camera. These limitations don’t apply to apps and programs downloaded from the Store.

Microsoft believes in giving you better control over your Windows 10 device, and starting with our most recent update, we are one step closer to that goal. You may have noticed that after taking the update, your favorite apps no longer have access to your webcam and/or microphone. We have beefed up camera privacy in this update, and this could be related.

Some users ironically laughed at this explanation since Microsoft is infamous for its strange Windows 10 privacy policy. Many users already accused the company of collecting user data without their consent and even the EFF backed up their allegations.

You can unblock these camera and microphone restrictions by going to Settings > Privacy > Camera and checking the option ‘Allow apps to access your camera‘.

What do you think about Windows 10’s automatic privacy settings and limitations? Let us know in the comments below.

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More about the topics: Windows 10 April Update, windows 10 fix

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies -- AI and DNA computing in particular. Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.