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Web Cam and DeviceCensus.exe trying to run??

Anonymous
2018-10-27T15:43:39+00:00

I am running ESET Internet Security on our Dell laptop (Windows 10 Home 32bit).  The Security keeps saying that the Web Cam is trying to run?  We keep blocking it as we are not being asked to be looked at.  The program trying to run the program is C:\Windows\System32\DeviceCensus.exe.  What on earth in Windows is trying to run this and use the Web Cam.  I have looked in the folder but I cannot see the executable but it must be there.  Any ideas?  Particuarly how I can stop this running and so not have to keep blocking it with my security package?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. DaveM121 868.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2018-10-27T16:12:54+00:00

    Hi grahamm7

    Windows 10 contains a Telemetry service that reports back to Microsoft on hardware usage/errors etc.

    Device Census is part of that Telemetry Framework and the process is only gathering data on your usage of the webcam

    If you want restrict this access to your webcam, go to Settings - Privacy - Camera and uncheck the option 'Let apps use my camera hardware'

    Or to specifically restrict this process scroll down the "Choose apps that can use my camera' list and uncheck "Feedback' hub', this will limit the data being sent back to MS Community and should free up your Webcam . . .

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  2. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-10-27T16:11:35+00:00

    Windows 10 contains a Telemetry service that reports back to Microsoft on hardware usage/errors etc. Device Census is part of that Telemetry Framework and the process is only gathering data on your usage of the webcam

    To disable the data collection, disable the scheduled task that triggers those processes.

    Follow the steps below:

    Type task in Cortana Search > Click Task Scheduler.

    Expand Task Scheduler Library folder tree to /Microsoft/Windows/Device Information

    Right-click on "Device" task and click on Disable.

    Source - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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