Windows webcam functionality

Alright so this just occurred to me, but I can recall in windows xp for the short time it coincided that I was using XP and a webcam there was some built in functionality that you could at least look through the webcam. This was a long time ago, so maybe I've got things wrong, but either way why don't we have this? I mean god knows its common enough on most laptops to have a webcam these days. Why doesn't windows (most importantly windows 7) have some simple utility to look through the webcam, and maybe snap a picture or record some short video? I'm talking built in, out of the box, snappy windows 7 driver update and you're rolling kind of functionality. Or is there and I'm just completely missing it?

 

Good question. I've just been using Skype video for that kind of work and never looked in Win7 for an included app.

 

There is no build in software in windows 7. Most webcam drivers come with a 3rd party tools.

There is Windows Media Encoder to record videos but its an additional download (Freeware from Microsoft). Just like windows live essentials. Mac OS X and Linux have all this as part of the default install in many cases but Microsoft can not do this because the anti trust lobby would be crying foul.

 

I suppose you're right about the antitrust thing. That's kind of ridiculous though, I don't see them having a strong case against microsoft with that.

Anyway, since we've determined that windows can't do it on its own, anyone know of a fast, simple tools to quickly snap a picture, record video, or just look through your webcam? Most things I stumble across are so bloated and loaded with useless features that it defeats the purpose. Haha or am I asking too much?

 

Yeah, it's a bit ridiculous, I have no problem with MS putting some nice software in to get more functionality out of their own system. Anyways, you could try yawcam at www.yawcam.com. Worked well for my gf's laptop a couple years back. If you're "on" HP you can use Youcam which is pretty nifty, and more inline with Apple's Photobooth.

 

I would imagine that a search on the keyword webcam at softpedia, fileforum, download.com, etc, etc will pull up loads of options.

 

Oh yeah it does. It's just a pain sorting through all the ones that are complete junk

 

you can sort the search results by user rating and how recent updates were released.