Windows 11 apps will soon be able to detect when you are present in front of your PC
What you need to know
A new Windows 11 preview build is now rolling out to the Insider Beta Channel.
It includes new APIs and privacy settings for devices equipped with presence sensors.
Only PCs with dedicated presence sensing hardware can utilize these new features.
Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows 11 preview build for Insiders in the Beta Channel today that introduces new privacy settings and developer APIs for devices with a "presence sensor" built in. Presence detection (aka HPD) is a new feature that allows Windows devices and apps to recognize when someone is present in front of their device and offer unique experiences based on that detection.
Not all Windows PCs are equipped with a presence sensor, but for devices that are, today's preview build adds several privacy setting options to the Windows Settings app for configuring which apps have access to the presence sensor API. The API was introduced with the Windows 11 2022 Update, and Microsoft says it adds more APIs in the latest preview builds.
Of course, only apps built with the presence sensor in mind will be able to detect if you are in front of your PC and will have to request permissions first. You will be able to check which apps are sensing for your presence in the privacy settings area in the Windows Settings app, which can be accessed at Settings > Privacy and Security > Presence sensing. From here, you can toggle which apps have access individually or turn the feature off entirely.
Windows 11 has been utilizing these presence sensors for a while(opens in new tab), with options such as being able to wake your PC as you approach it or put your PC to sleep as you step away. Now, app developers will also be able to tap into this capability and develop their own experiences using a system-wide API.
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