Webcam enthusiasts may soon find relief from the persistent annoyance of the “Another App Is Using the Camera Already” error message. In a move that has been long anticipated, Microsoft is rolling out a feature known as “Multi-app camera” for Windows 11, designed to allow users to access a single webcam across multiple applications simultaneously.
New Features for Enhanced Functionality
This innovative feature, currently available to Windows Insiders who have installed the latest Dev Channel release (Windows 11 build 26120.2702), is expected to gain traction quickly as it progresses through testing. It is part of a broader update that introduces new settings under the umbrella of Windows Camera Advanced Configurations.
Users can navigate to these settings by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. By clicking the Edit button, they will find two new options:
- Multi-app camera: This feature allows multiple applications to access the camera stream at the same time. It was developed with input from the Hard-of-Hearing community, facilitating simultaneous video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the audience.
- Basic camera: This option provides essential camera functionality for troubleshooting purposes. It is recommended as a last resort when users encounter issues with their camera, and it was developed in collaboration with Microsoft support agents.
As users await further developments, questions remain about the specific capabilities of this multi-app functionality. For instance, will it be feasible to participate in a Teams meeting while also engaging in a video chat on WhatsApp? While the details are still emerging, Microsoft has indicated that additional enhancements are on the horizon.
The company has announced plans to introduce a third option in future builds, which will allow users to select different media types such as resolution and frame rate. The default setting will be “Let Windows Choose,” aimed at providing an optimal user experience.
