How to Set Up and Use Windows Camera for Photos and Videos

Windows Camera is a built-in app in Windows 10 that allows users to capture photos and record videos using their computer's webcam or attached camera devices. Whether you need to video chat with friends and family, create content for social media, or simply take photos, Windows Camera provides a convenient solution. In this tutorial, we will guide you step-by-step on how to set up and use Windows Camera for photos and videos.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, ensure that you have the following:

A computer running Windows 10
A working built-in or external camera

Setting Up Windows Camera

Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10 computer.
Search for "Microsoft Camera" in the search bar.
Click on the "Microsoft Camera" app and then click on "Install" to download and install the app onto your computer.

Using Windows Camera for Photos

Launch the Windows Camera app.
If you have multiple camera devices connected, click on the menu icon (three horizontal dots) at the top left corner of the app and select the desired camera.
Ensure that the camera device is properly positioned and focused.
From the app's main screen, you have multiple options:
- To capture a photo, simply click or tap the camera button (circle icon) at the bottom center of the screen.
- You can also make some adjustments to the photo settings by clicking on the settings icon (gear icon) next to the camera button. This allows you to customize options such as aspect ratio, timer, and exposure.
After capturing a photo, it will be saved automatically to your computer's default Pictures folder.
To view the photo, click on the thumbnail image that appears briefly at the bottom right corner of the screen. Alternatively, you can navigate to your Pictures folder and find the photo there.

Using Windows Camera for Videos

Launch the Windows Camera app.
If you have multiple camera devices connected, click on the menu icon (three horizontal dots) at the top left corner of the app and select the desired camera.
Ensure that the camera device is properly positioned and focused.
From the app's main screen, you have several options:
- To start recording a video, click or tap the video camera button (red circle icon) at the bottom center of the screen. The recording will begin immediately.
- You can also make adjustments to video settings by clicking on the settings icon (gear icon) next to the video camera button. This allows you to customize options such as resolution, frame rate, and audio settings.
- To stop the video recording, click or tap the stop button (square icon) at the bottom center of the screen.
After stopping the recording, the video will be automatically saved to your computer's default Videos folder.
To view the recorded video, click on the thumbnail preview that briefly appears at the bottom right corner of the screen. Alternatively, you can navigate to your Videos folder and find the video file there.

Advanced Features

Windows Camera also includes some advanced features that you may find useful:

Lens selection: If your camera supports different lenses (e.g., wide-angle, zoom), you can switch between them by clicking on the lens icon at the top right corner of the app.
Filters: To add filters to your photos or videos, click on the magic wand icon at the top right corner of the app.
Timer: If you want to set a timer before capturing a photo or starting a video recording, click on the settings icon and navigate to the Timer option.
Exposure: Adjust the exposure level of your camera by clicking on the settings icon and navigating to the Exposure option. This can be useful in challenging lighting conditions.

Congratulations! You have now learned how to set up and use Windows Camera for capturing photos and recording videos on your Windows 10 computer. Whether it's for personal or professional use, Windows Camera provides a simple yet powerful solution for your imaging needs.

Remember to experiment with different settings and features to enhance your photos and videos. Happy capturing!