RecTrac 3.1: Camera is not working on Windows 10
Problem
Microsoft Lifecam USB camera has stopped working on Windows 10 machines with Chrome browser. Works fine on Windows 7/Chrome.
Solution
In this scenario, IT had used a popular configuration script to remove "unwanted consumer apps" from all workstations, and that script disabled the camera. Organization is using Microsoft Active Directory and a Group Policy Object (GPO) was used to push out the script which ran on all workstations. The purpose of this script was to delete "bloatware/junkware" to free up space and improving performance on workstations throughout the organization's network (removing any unnecessary free-trial games and programs). Camera settings were inadvertantly changed as collateral damage from the execution of said script.
Symptoms: In Windows 10, if you click on Settings -> Privacy -> Camera (under App permissions) you may see all the settings greyed out and text showing Some settings are hidden or managed by your organization. Normally, this means an Active Directory Domain Group Policy is blocking users from changing a setting. However in this case, no GPO was affecting this setting, instead it had been overridden by a Windows 10 cleanup script.
Solution:
- On the local workstation, run GPEDIT.MSC (this is your Local Policy, not an AD GPO) and browse to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> App Privacy.
- Find the entry called Let Windows apps access the camera, it will be set to Not Configured. That doesnt matter, you have to Enable it to overwrite the registry entry from the script. (I set it to Enabed and then selected user is in control).
- Close all the windows (save is automatic) and retry the camera it should work now.
- If not, you may need a reboot.