Host process for windows tasks is using the webcam

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.

I have Kaspersky and just received the notification that host process tried to use the webcam yet again, even after disabling "let apps use my camera hardware"

My webcam was blocked by Kaspersky... but that doesn't change the fact that windows is still trying to use it periodically. I also get the notification that "Device Census" is trying to use it periodically as well.

10 hours really isn't long enough to test anything btw.

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.

I have Kaspersky and just received the notification that host process tried to use the webcam yet again, even after disabling "let apps use my camera hardware"

My webcam was blocked by Kaspersky... but that doesn't change the fact that windows is still trying to use it periodically. I also get the notification that "Device Census" is trying to use it periodically as well.

10 hours really isn't long enough to test anything btw.

This is exactly what's happening on my side as well. Device Census is always trying to access my webcam.

I don't think Microsoft is aware of that. However, it is always good that we are relying on the Russian Bear to protect OS.

Similar problem was explained in following link by Varelse:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_10-hardware-winpc/device-census/62ef3c01-56fe-41ec-a4bc-72f295e27b98

It is part of the Telemetry utilities that collects usage/errors of your system and reports back to Microsoft.  However, there are multiple processes of this feature and the Device Census app is just one process that collects the information. When all of the data collection is done, another app sends the data to MS if you have approved the "Feedback" feature.

If you disable the Feedback option, that only stops it from sending the data to Microsoft.  It doesn't disable the data collecting apps, which is why you still get the pop-up message even though the Feedback option is off.

To disable the data collection, you have to disable the scheduled tasks that starts those processes. Normally the task runs at 3am but if your computer isn't on, it runs when you log in.

In the search box, type "Task Scheduler" or select Start > Windows Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler.

Expand the Task Scheduler Library folder tree to /Microsoft/Windows/Device Information/.  Here you will find the "Device" task.  Right click the task and choose "Disable".  

You might want to look at the other "Feedback" tasks and possibly disable them if you don't want them running.

/Microsoft/Windows/Application Experience//Microsoft/Windows/Customer Experience Improvement Program/

/Microsoft/Windows/Feedback/

/Microsoft/XblGameSave/

Hope that helps!

Well, set your camera privacy settings then.

Well, clearly you didn't read the previous responses then... people experiencing this issue have already set the camera privacy options to "off" yet the issue persists. You're not helping anyone by posting the same thing that's already been suggested multiple times by previous posters. Especially such an obvious suggestion that would be anyone's first step in troubleshooting this issue.