There are still many people who buy laptops without built-in webcams for possibly security reasons but that might all be a thing of the past soon.
Come 2023, Windows 11 might need you to have a webcam on our laptop in order for the operating system to support it. Spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft will require all Windows 11 laptops to have webcams starting January 1 2023. Microsoft will also require that webcam be of HD quality or better, capable of auto-exposure (AE), and capable of auto-white balancing (AWB).
Why exactly is Microsoft doing this? It probably has something to do with Windows Hello. Windows Hello is Microsofts facial recognition system that allows you to use your face as biometric security. Windows 11 puts a heavy emphasis on security so this makes a lot of sense.
This new requirement is great news for the general consumer as they probably will not be stuck with a garbage webcam come 2023 but consumers who do not want a webcam on their laptop might be upset with this rule.
Either way, the consumers and OEMs have got over a year to prepare for this change.
