How to view web camera without installing software (Windows 7 or Windows 8)

Windows XP users will remember being able to view a web camera from ‘My Computer’. Installed web cameras would have an icon and it was as simple as double clicking to view the image from your camera.

Windows8-WebCam1

Since then Microsoft have left this out of the operating systems, with the feature missing from Vista, Windows 7 and now Windows 8. Unfortunately this was helpful when testing a camera, streaming footage to a monitor or using USB snake cameras.

Fortunately there are several utilities that provide this functionality, my favourite is WebcamViewer – it’s tiny at 257 KB and most importantly can be ran without installation.

Windows8-WebCam2

To use the software simply select the camera from the drop down menu, optionally select the resolution and then click connect.

DOWNLOAD: WebcamViewerV1.0

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2 comments on “How to view web camera without installing software (Windows 7 or Windows 8)

  1. It would be more meaningful to write about viewing web camera without additional software at all. If user is able to download the program, it is safe to assume he is able to install it.

    1. No, it isn’t safe to assume that at all.

      Many users may well be able to download a file but, due to user policies applied in a corporate environment or a similar institutional setting, they will not be able to run an executable or install software.

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