Skip to content
Trending
Simplify Windows Devices to Run Only the Required Applications using Intune Enhance macOS Compliance with Custom Security and Compliance Checks to Improve Device Security using Microsoft Intune Manage Samsung Galaxy Firmware Versions to Improve Security and Compliance using Microsoft Intune MS Intune Adds Windows Registry Data Collection to Device Inventory for Single Values All Key Values and Subkeys Updated Windows Device Sync Experience Enhances Per-Device Troubleshooting Configure Windows Sandbox vGPU Policy using Intune for Better Graphics Performance or Reduced Attack Surface Simplify Windows Devices to Run Only the Required Applications using Intune Enhance macOS Compliance with Custom Security and Compliance Checks to Improve Device Security using Microsoft Intune Manage Samsung Galaxy Firmware Versions to Improve Security and Compliance using Microsoft Intune MS Intune Adds Windows Registry Data Collection to Device Inventory for Single Values All Key Values and Subkeys Updated Windows Device Sync Experience Enhances Per-Device Troubleshooting Configure Windows Sandbox vGPU Policy using Intune for Better Graphics Performance or Reduced Attack Surface
Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter

Written By Anoop C Nair
Last Updated August 18, 2022
Posted In Windows 11
SHARE

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter. This helps the operating system to understand whether the laptop has a physical privacy shutter or kill switch for the camera.

Recently, many manufacturers started implementing physical “kill switches” and Privacy Shutters for cameras. Windows 11 camera/pc OEMs must implement a mechanism to detect the state of the shutter/switch.

This detection mechanism helps Windows 11 operating system to handle the processes much more efficiently without wasting the devices’ processing power. And report it to the operating system.

Camera privacy shutters or kill switches must need additional Windows drivers. This additional detection method is introduced with Windows 11 Camera app version 2022.2207.29.0 or later. This is available with the latest Windows 11 insider build (dev channel build 25182).

Patch My PC

Do we know whether MS Teams Support the Camera Privacy Shutter Feature?

No. Currently, the support for Camera Privacy Shutter is only for Windows 11 Camera app. I think this feature will get enabled gradually for all the other applications.

I have seen people switch on the camera in Teams meetings, but only the black screen appears, and there is no notification, such as the Camera privacy shutter is ON.

How to Test the New Privacy Shutter Detection Option with Windows 11 Camera App?

You must join Windows 11 insider program to test the New Privacy Shutter Detection Option with Windows 11 Camera App. Ensure that you select the Dev channel to test this scenario for devices that come with a Camera privacy shutter.

NOTE! – You will get the Camera is Blocked message or notification only with the latest Windows 11 Insider Dev channel.

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 1
Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 1

Windows Design Guidance for Camera Privacy Shutters or Kill Switches

Microsoft documented Windows design guidance for privacy shutters or kill switches in detail. The camera or PC manufacturers should have proper drivers and sensor mechanisms to let Operating System know about Shutter State Sensor or kill switches.

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 2
Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter or Kill Switch 2 – Creds to Microsoft

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked Notification because of Privacy Shutter or Kill Switch

The camera can now understand the state of the privacy shutter or kill switch on supported hardware. When the privacy shutter is blocking the view or if the laptop lid is closed or the kill camera switch is ON, the Windows 11 Camera app will inform you and offer guidance.

Some examples of supported cameras for the feature to detect the state of privacy shutter or kill switch are:

  • Microsoft Modern Webcam
  • The integrated cameras on many new Windows 11 laptops

The Windows 11 Camera is blocked notification message for Camera App version 2022.2207.29.0 or later – “Camera is blocked – You might need to slide the shutter over your camera, press a camera button on your keyboard, or slide a camera switch on your device.”

Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 3
Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 3 – Creds to Microsoft

Supported Scenarios for Windows 11 Camera is Blocked Notification

The following table gives you details of supported scenarios for the Windows 11 Camera is Blocked notification to work as expected.

Supported Application(s)Supported Camera HardwareSupported Operating System
Windows 11 Camera App 2022.2207.29.0Microsoft Modern WebcamWindows 11 Insider Build Dev 25182
Windows 11 Camera App 2022.2207.29.0Integrated cameras on many new Windows 11 laptopsWindows 11 Insider Build Dev 25182
Windows 11 Camera is Blocked because of Privacy Shutter 3 – Table 1

Author

Anoop C Nair is Microsoft MVP! He is a Device Management Admin with more than 20 years of experience (calculation done in 2021) in IT. He is Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group HTMD Community leader. His main focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM 2012, Current Branch, and Intune. He writes about ConfigMgr, Windows 11, Windows 10, Azure AD, Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, AVD, etc.

Written by

Anoop C Nair is Workplace Technology solution architect with 25+ years of experience in global enterprise organizations such as JP Morgan, Capgemini, etc. Microsoft Certified Trainer. Microsoft MVP from 2015 onwards for consecutive 11+ years! He also conducts Intune and modern workplace tech training for enterprise organizations. He is Blogger, Speaker, and Founder of HTMD Community and HTMD Conference. His main focus is on Device Management technologies like Intune, Windows, Cloud PC. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security.

Discussion · 1 comment

Join the discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related guides

Security

Microsoft Fixes 570 Security Vulnerabilities and 3 Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in July 2026 Patch Tuesday

Key Takeaways Microsoft Fixes 570 Security Vulnerabilities and 3 Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in July 2026 Patch Tuesday! Microsoft fixed 3 zero-day vulnerabilities as part of the July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates. Two of them, CVE-2026-56164 (Microsoft SharePoint Server Elevation of Privilege) and CVE-2026-56155 (Active Directory Federation Services Elevation of Privilege), were actively exploited before the security […]

AC Anoop C Nair 29 min read
Intune

Windows 11 KB5101650 KB5099414 July 2026 Patch and 3 Zero Day Vulnerabilities and 570 Flaws

Key Takeaways Windows 11 KB5101650 KB5099414 July 2026 Patch and 3 Zero Day Vulnerabilities and 570 Flaws! In the July 2026 Patch, Microsoft introduced new features designed to improve the overall Windows experience. The update adds enhancements to Windows Update for more flexible update management and introduces Point-in-Time Restore, providing an additional recovery option for […]

AC Anoop C Nair 9 min read
Windows 11

Boost Productivity with Zoom Workplace on Windows 11 | Setup Guide for Meetings Chat Calls and Collaboration

Key Takeaways Hey, let’s learn about Boost Productivity with Zoom Workplace on Windows 11 | Setup Guide for Meetings Chat Calls and Collaboration. Zoom workplace is an AI-powered collaboration app used for online meetings, team collaboration, and video calls. This application helps to conduct meetings Including chat and messaging, screen sharing and Calendar Integration. Boost […]

AC Anoop C Nair 35 min read
Windows 11

13 Windows AI Features to Turn Off for Better Privacy

Key takeaways Hey, let’s discuss about 13 Windows AI features to turn off for better privacy. AI is widely used in modern systems such as Windows 11 to automate tasks, improve productivity, and enhance user experience. However, AI also has several disadvantages. It may raise privacy concerns because personal data can be collected and analysed […]

AC Anoop C Nair 15 min read