Host process for windows tasks is using the webcam

Anonymous
2017-10-28T07:57:44+00:00

Since the update to 1709 I keep getting every few hours “Host process for windows tasks is using the webcam”.

Is this safe and normal?

I have the HP Envy running windows 10 pro.

Regards

Stan.

Moved from: (Windows / Windows 10 / Security & privacy)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2017-10-31T20:32:11+00:00

Hi all... Update

I have Kaspersky internet security and it's that is displaying the report so If you have Kaspersky internet security that telling you the web cam is been used so this is what I did: -

Go to windows settings… Privacy… Camera…  then I turned off “Let apps use my camera hardware” and up to now it’s never reported web cam been used up to now after about 10 hours.

hope that helps us all.

regards

Stan.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-06T22:41:06+00:00

    Hi Jairit, whether it is safe or not is still up for debate, since Kaspersky detects that "Host process for windows tasks" is trying to access the webcam, due to the fact that access to the webcam is prohibited by the activation of a Kaspersky setting for that purpose. 

    Please explain why "Host Process for Windows Tasks" is trying to use the webcam and, if possible, why Kaspersky is detecting this.

    BTW, yes, in my case the taskhostw.exe file is located in the System 32 folder.

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-17T14:15:37+00:00

    There are steps to disable the camera, but they are long and involved. Not to mention if you do want to use it you have to reverse it. I have a web cam that has a lens cover and a piece of tape on the built in one. I think Microsoft has a lot of nerve even setting up windows this way.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-05T18:02:49+00:00

    I agree with you. The main concern here is why Microsoft is using our camera without our concern

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-30T17:58:52+00:00

    This may help you. At the bottom of the page it has instructions for the fast startup and how to disable. I have done this myself quite a few months ago.

    https://www.howtogeek.com/243901/the-pros-and-cons-of-windows-10s-fast-startup-mode/ 

    Try it and see if it sorts out the problem. You can always re-enable if it does not.

    I also found some info about running sfc and DISM to fix system errors.

    https://www.howtogeek.com/222532/how-to-repair-corrupted-windows-system-files-with-the-sfc-and-dism-commands/

    This issue has nothing to do with Fast Startup. Also, I do not believe this is a Windows error per se (it is a system task after all), so running sfc and/or DISM should not be necessary. The question is whether the task that I mentioned in my previous post can be safely ignored when it is "using" the webcam (whatever that usage includes)

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