Windows 11 is about to gain a feature that should have shipped years ago. But, better late than never, right? PCs will soon support using the same camera within multiple applications at the same time. That addition is the highlight feature of Windows 11 Build 26120.2702, which shipped to Insiders in the Dev Channel recently. Microsoft also rolled out Windows 11 Build 22635.4655 last week, though the changes in that update are minor.
The new multi-app camera feature was designed to improve accessibility. The feature was “developed with the Hard-of-Hearing community to enable video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the end audience at the same time,” according to Microsoft, but I imagine people will find other uses for it. The limitation on webcams to only work with a single app was always a bit strange to me. I know I’m not alone in celebrating the addition.
New advanced camera configuration: “Allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously” https://t.co/N4KJvg1nHnDecember 13, 2024
To use the multi-app camera feature, you’ll have to use new configuration options within the Settings app on Windows 11. There, you’ll also see the option to enable basic camera features, which is useful for debugging when a camera is experiencing issues.
Microsoft is also working on an option to choose media types, such as resolution and frame rate, but that option will come in a future build of Windows 11.
Windows 11 Build 26120.2702 adds API support for third-party passkey providers as well.
Windows 11 Build 26120.2702: New Features
Windows 11 Build 22635.4655: Changes and Improvements
- Start menu
- We are improving the filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu based on feedback from Windows Insiders so that we show the highest quality sites based on your own browsing history. Please continue to give us feedback if you see a website recommended you feel shouldn’t be.
- Spotlight on the lock screen
- We’re trying out a few different treatments for the top right hotspot (“Like the image that you see”) on the lock screen. You can now learn more about the spotlight image on your lock screen by clicking on the “Like icon” that takes you to the Spotlight landing page.
- Spotlight on the desktop
- We’re beginning to roll out some changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model for Windows Insiders. You can now quickly and easily discover more information about your background image by simply hovering over or clicking on the “Learn about this picture” icon on your desktop.
- Windows Share
- When you share links or web content using the Windows share window, you will see a visual preview for that content.
