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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?

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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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.

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    This worked for me on a Lenovo laptop with a built-in webcam and an add-on USB microscope.
    – Rob Cranfill
    Nov 8, 2018 at 0:17
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    In my WIN10 Camera app, the cycle camera icon is in the upper right. Upper left is a Settings icon
    – chizou
    Jan 3, 2020 at 23:29
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    Worked for me. The icon was on the upper, right-hand corner. But worked as you described.
    – jamesnotjim
    Apr 2, 2020 at 19:59
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    How did this icon get approved...
    – Zach Saucier
    Sep 20, 2021 at 21:27
  • What a terrible design choice. I don't understand how Microsoft manages to consistently make design decisions this terrible.
    – Jacob Stamm
    Oct 21, 2021 at 3:12
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  1. Open the Camera app from the windows start menu
  2. Select the switch camera icon icon in the top right corner of the screen to pick which camera to use.

Select the icon in the top right corner of the screen to pick which camera to use

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  • This worked for me, not very intuitive if you are using a PC.
    – Dave
    Jun 15 at 22:30
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From http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/camera-app-faq:

  1. Open the Camera app.

  2. Swipe in from the bottom edge to see the app commands. (If you're using a mouse, right-click within the app.)

  3. Tap or click the Change camera button.

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    That works for Windows 8 but not for 10.
    – Shaun Luttin
    Apr 30, 2016 at 20:19
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    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 5, 2020 at 17:54

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