TL; DR
- Microsoft has set a future rule for Windows 11 laptops that requires a webcam.
- The webcams must also be of HD quality (or better).
- The regulation will not come into force until 2023.
Believe it or not, many laptops today are sold without built-in webcams. In fact, certain buyers may prefer this so they don’t have to find a way to cover this up as the above picture shows.
First discovered by Windows headquarters, Microsoft will require all Windows 11 laptops to have webcams starting January 1, 2023. Microsoft also requires the webcam to have HD quality or better, Auto Exposure (AE) and Auto Exposure White Balance (AWB).
Why does Microsoft require this? It probably has to do with Windows Hello, Microsoft’s facial recognition system that allows you to use your face as biometric security. Windows 11 puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of security, so this would make a lot of sense.
Now there will likely be two kinds of answers to that. On the one hand, this is great news for the general consumer, as from 2023 they won’t have to worry about buying a laptop with a junk webcam – or none at all. On the other hand, consumers who, for whatever reason, don’t want to have a webcam on their laptop will be upset by this rule.
However, you have over a year before this change becomes law in the country.
