[Windows] How to find out which process uses the camera?

Want to find out if malware is using your camera? Or do you want to know which program prevents you from using the camera while, say, talking via Skype?

Here are instructions on how to find out exactly which process is using the camera and how to turn it off.

1) First install Process Explorer or Explorer Hacker

• Process Explorer
• Explorer hacker

2) Now open the Devices Manager

Press Win + R, copy this, and type Enter: mmc devmgmt.msc

3) Find the camera

It is usually listed under "Image Processing Devices". It is mostly called a "camera", you will easily find it.

4) Find the physical name of the camera

Right-click the camera device and select Properties. Then click the Details tab and find "Physical device object name" or "Physical device object name" in the drop-down menu if the system is in English. Now you will be printed something like "\Device\00000040". That number varies from computer to computer. Right-click on it and copy.

5) Finding a process

Run one of the two programs you installed in step 1 and press Ctrl + F to start the search. Just paste in the box what you copied with Ctrl + V and click Find (or Enter)

6) Shutdown process

It is best to turn it off manually, e.g. if Chrome uses your camera just turn off Chrome (I wrote about how to know which card uses your camera or microphone so you can find your way around), and if you don't know which program/process it is, you can right-click on the process and select "Terminate" (not recommended for less experienced users).