Change the camera that the Windows 10 camera app uses.

Question

I've plugged in a USB camera to computer and have opened the Camera app. How do we switch from the built-in webcam to the USB camera?

score 62 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 19 '18 at 17:50

62

Unintuitively, the icon in the upper left that looks like it's meant to switch between your front and back camera will also cycle through your other attached cameras. At least, this worked for me on a Surface Pro 4 (front and rear camera) with a USB Microsoft LifeCam attached. The Camera application's version is listed as 2018.227.30.1000.

answered Apr 19 '18 at 17:50

Shawn Mulligan

636

2

This worked for me on a Lenovo laptop with a built-in webcam and an add-on USB microscope. – Rob Cranfill Nov 08 '18 at 00:17
3

In my WIN10 Camera app, the cycle camera icon is in the upper right. Upper left is a Settings icon – chizou Jan 03 '20 at 23:29
3

Worked for me. The icon was on the upper, right-hand corner. But worked as you described. – jamesnotjim Apr 02 '20 at 19:59
3

How did this icon get approved... – Zach Saucier Sep 20 '21 at 21:27
3

What a terrible design choice. I don't understand how Microsoft manages to consistently make design decisions this terrible. – Jacob Stamm Oct 21 '21 at 03:12

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 12 '21 at 16:10

4

Open the Camera app from the windows start menu
Select the icon in the top right corner of the screen to pick which camera to use.

answered Oct 12 '21 at 16:10

Nick Painter

637

1

This worked for me, not very intuitive if you are using a PC. – Dave Jun 15 '22 at 22:30

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 30 '16 at 20:14

1

From http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/camera-app-faq:

Open the Camera app.
Swipe in from the bottom edge to see the app commands. (If you're using a mouse, right-click within the app.)
Tap or click the Change camera button.

answered Apr 30 '16 at 20:14

goblinbox

2,430

1

That works for Windows 8 but not for 10. – Shaun Luttin Apr 30 '16 at 20:19
1

Actually, it works for me in Win10. But the camera you want to switch to has to be attached before the app will offer to change cameras. Otherwise, you will not even see the option. – vknowles Apr 05 '20 at 17:54

Change the camera that the Windows 10 camera app uses.

3 Answers3