Camera app and webcams: FAQ

How do I take a picture or video?

Tap or click the screen to take a picture or start recording video. To stop recording video, tap or click the screen again.

To switch from taking pictures to taking a video, tap or click Video mode. When the Video mode button is highlighted, the Camera app records video. When the Video mode button isn't highlighted, the Camera app takes pictures.

Note

The Camera app stays in the same mode until you change it, even when you close and reopen the app.

How do I use the timer?

Tap or click Timer to delay taking a picture or recording video. Then, each time you tap or click the screen, the timer counts backwards from three before taking a picture or starting video recording.

To turn the timer off, tap or click Timer again.

How do I see the pictures and videos I’ve already taken?

The collection of photos and videos you’ve taken is called your camera roll. Slide to scroll the screen left and right through your camera roll. Or, if you’re using a mouse, click the arrows at the left and right of the screen to scroll through your camera roll. If you don’t see arrows, move your mouse to make them appear.

To go back to taking a picture or recording video, scroll to the right until you get back to the camera preview screen (you’ll see the camera controls on the lower right).

You can also see the pictures and videos you’ve captured in the Camera Roll folder in your Pictures library.

How do I edit or delete pictures and videos?

To crop a picture

Scroll to the picture you want to change in the camera roll, tap or click it, and then tap or click Crop.
Drag the corners of the box to resize the new picture the way you want.
Tap or click OK.

The cropped picture is added to your camera roll and leaves the original unchanged in your camera roll.

To trim a video

Scroll to the video you want to change in the camera roll, tap or click it, and then tap or click Trim.
Drag the left and right ends of the timeline to the new start and stop points you want.

You can play the trimmed video to make sure it starts and stops where you want. Adjust the start or stop points as needed.
Tap or click OK.

The trimmed video is added to your camera roll and leaves the original unchanged in your camera roll.

To delete a picture or video

Scroll to the picture or video you want to delete, tap or click it, and then tap or click Delete.

How do I adjust my camera settings?

When you're on the camera preview screen (you’ll see the camera controls on the lower right), tap or click Camera options. Choose the photo resolution, audio device (if your camera has one), and video stabilization options you want.

Tap or click More to see additional options for your camera, such as brightness and contrast. The settings you see will vary depending on the camera you're using.

How do I give the Camera app permission to use my camera?

Open the Camera app.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
Tap or click Permissions.
Set Webcam and microphone to On.
Tap or click Change camera. You can now take pictures or video.

Why doesn't my webcam work with the Camera app or other apps?

With so many brands of webcams and cameras available, there are many reasons why something might not work. Each brand is different, so it's a good idea to check the manufacture's website for user guides and troubleshooting help.

For cameras that plug into your PC, the problem can be often be fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting the camera. To do this, open the Camera app, and then unplug and reconnect the camera.

If it’s still not working, there might be a problem with the camera’s drivers. You can install driver updates from your camera's manufacturer, or you can use your PC’s default drivers. You can also check the Windows forum for more info about your specific problem.

To install updates from the manufacturer

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
Enter Device Manager in the search box, tap of click Settings, and then, in the results, tap or click Device Manager.
Expand Imaging devices.
Right-click the camera that's having problems and tap or click Update Driver Software.
Tap or click Search automatically for updated driver software, and then follow the on-screen instructions. This might include restarting your PC.

To install your PC's default drivers

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
Enter Device Manager in the search box, tap of click Settings, and then, in the results, tap or click Device Manager.
Expand Imaging devices.
Right-click the camera that's having problems and tap or click Update Driver Software.
Tap or click Browse my computer for driver software.
Tap or click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
Select USB Video Device, and then click Next and follow the on-screen instructions. This might include restarting your PC.