Among the various features that Microsoft has been discreetly implementing in Windows 11, there is a new feature that will allow users to activate or deactivate access to the computer's camera and microphone specifically for each installed program.
Although a control mechanism already exists, it operates in a limited way. Many operating system features are formally communicated by Microsoft, such as the new Windows 11 context menu, which was recently confirmed. However, the new permission controls for the camera and microphone were discovered and disclosed by the profile @jakub25050 on the X platform.
Currently, Windows 11 allows managing camera and microphone permissions for each application through settings, but this functionality is restricted only to applications obtained from the Microsoft Store.
The new proposed methodology covers any Win32 application, whether it is an .exe or .msi file, without distinction of its source. Previously, blocking the microphone by these software programs was done by disabling the option 'Allow desktop apps to access your microphone,' but this setting affected all corresponding programs and did not offer the same level of management for the camera.
With the update, access control becomes individualized for each application, applying to both the camera and the microphone. Since Microsoft has not yet issued an official statement about this feature, the exact release date of these new controls in the final version of Windows 11 remains uncertain.
This discovery was made in Windows 11 build 26340.9212 intended for the Windows Insider program, specifically in the Experimental channel. Even for users who already use this version, the new controls are not yet visible to most, indicating that the official availability may take some time. At the moment, the important thing is that the functionality is under development.