Microsoft is finally fixing my biggest pet peeve with cameras and Studio Effects on Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs

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Microsoft is now trialing an significant upgrade for the Windows Studio Effects function in Windows 11, which resolves a key concern I’ve had with Microsoft’s AI-driven webcam tool – the capacity to apply its effects to cameras not built into the device.

So far, the Windows Studio Effects have been limited to enhancing the built-in camera on devices only. When connecting a Copilot+ PC to an external monitor and webcam, features such as auto-framing and background blur might stop functioning due to limitations in their current setup.

With the newest previews of Windows 11, there’s now a feature allowing the system to tap into the device’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and apply similar enhancements to an external camera, thus eliminating the previous restriction that only devices’ built-in cameras were supported.

Microsoft is expanding the Windows Studio Effects experience beyond integrated laptop cameras, aiming to make it accessible on various camera hardware. This means you can maintain a professional look and feel across more setups. On compatible PCs with Copilot+, we’re introducing the functionality to use Studio Effects AI-enhanced camera improvements with an extra camera, like a USB webcam or your laptop’s rear built-in camera.

In this setup, you’ll find the innovative new feature nestled within the “Advanced camera options” section. Before diving into using Windows Studio Effects with your external webcam, ensure that you enable it first. It’s worth noting that Microsoft has been enhancing the entire webcam and microphone infrastructure on Windows 11 quite significantly over the past few months.

This year, the company rolled out an innovative update enabling Windows users to simultaneously share their webcam with various applications, resolving a common problem where webcam-dependent apps would malfunction when the webcam was occupied by another program.

With the new update, Microsoft now allows Copilot+ PC users to utilize their Neural Processing Unit (NPU) even when connected to an external monitor and webcam, by enabling Windows Studio Effects on external cameras. Previously, users were unable to access this feature when using an external webcam instead of the built-in one, which seemed odd. It’s great to see Microsoft has addressed this issue now.

Alongside these camera enhancements, Microsoft is also experimenting with various AI-driven functionalities in the most recent Windows 11 beta versions. A new “Ask Assistant” button is being introduced to the main File Explorer page, enabling users to swiftly query the Assistant about specific details concerning a particular file.

In addition to testing, the company is exploring a fresh “smooth and intelligent” dictation function within voice access, aimed at enhancing voice typing. Microsoft claims that this feature automatically rectifies grammar, punctuation, and redundant words as you speak, minimizing the need for subsequent editing. This enhanced experience relies on compact language models installed on your device for swift and confidential processing.

On Windows 11, there are numerous innovative AI features currently being tested. The majority of these features can be accessed with a Copilot+ PC. If any of these exciting new features catch your eye, it would be wise to have a Copilot+ PC ready, as they will only be accessible on such devices.

The latest confirmation about Windows 11 reveals that the upcoming 25H2 release won’t introduce any fresh features beyond what’s already available in the current 24H2 version. However, the features currently being tested will eventually be added to both versions once they are ready for rollout. This approach aligns with Microsoft’s strategy of consistently innovating, which involves delivering new features on a monthly basis rather than yearly updates.

In simple terms, this implies that the latest AI enhancements might be accessible on your personal computer within a short period of time, without the need for you to participate in Microsoft’s Insider Preview program for Windows 11.

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2025-09-08 23:10