Windows 10 Anniversary Update has broken some third-party USB cameras
Microsoft is facing complains from consumers and businesses about Windows 10 Anniversary Update, released on August 2nd, reportedly dropped support for two major video compression formats — specifically the H.264 and MJPEG codecs. According to Microsoft-focused blog Thurrott.com, this was supposedly a decision the company made to prevent performance issues now that certain Windows apps have more direct webcam access post-update.
Now, millions of Windows users are discovering that their webcams are freezing up, even when trying to stream via Microsoft-owned Skype. The issue is said to effect many popular webcams from big-name peripheral makers like Logitech on the hardware side, while numerous apps and services that rely on the codecs are being crippled from the software side.
Members of Microsoft’s Windows Camera team are performing damage control in support threads, and Thurrott.com reports an official fix may be in the works for a September release. Unfortunately, that may only remedy the MJPEG format. Those who rely on H.264 may be waiting even longer to make use of their webcams. If you recently installed the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, you can revert to the prior version of the software within 10 days.
Thurrott.com contributor Rafael Rivera devised a workaround that appears to be resolving the webcam freezing issues so long as you're okay with making changes to the Windows Registry:
The hack is pretty simple; you just need to stick to the following instructions.
These are the steps if you are using a 32-bit version of Windows 10.
If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows 10, you will need to navigate to
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform"
in the left sidebar and follow step 3 and 4 mentioned above
source: Thurrott.com
Now, millions of Windows users are discovering that their webcams are freezing up, even when trying to stream via Microsoft-owned Skype. The issue is said to effect many popular webcams from big-name peripheral makers like Logitech on the hardware side, while numerous apps and services that rely on the codecs are being crippled from the software side.
Members of Microsoft’s Windows Camera team are performing damage control in support threads, and Thurrott.com reports an official fix may be in the works for a September release. Unfortunately, that may only remedy the MJPEG format. Those who rely on H.264 may be waiting even longer to make use of their webcams. If you recently installed the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, you can revert to the prior version of the software within 10 days.
Thurrott.com contributor Rafael Rivera devised a workaround that appears to be resolving the webcam freezing issues so long as you're okay with making changes to the Windows Registry:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform, add DWORD "EnableFrameServerMode" and set to 0. #webcamgate— Rafael Rivera (@WithinRafael) August 19, 2016
The hack is pretty simple; you just need to stick to the following instructions.
- Go to the Start Menu, type "regedit" and press Enter. This opens 'The Registry Editor'.
- Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform" in the left sidebar.
- Right-click the "Platform" key and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this value "EnableFrameServerMode" and set the value to "0" by double clicking on it.
These are the steps if you are using a 32-bit version of Windows 10.
If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows 10, you will need to navigate to
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform"
in the left sidebar and follow step 3 and 4 mentioned above
source: Thurrott.com
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