Windows 11 May Soon Warn You About Screen Snooping

Have you ever been working in a café, airport, or on a train and suddenly felt like someone was watching your screen?

It’s not just paranoia—it happens more than we think. Whether you’re reviewing sensitive work files, reading personal emails, or simply value your privacy, unwanted glances at your laptop can feel intrusive.

Now, Microsoft is working on a solution that could give you some much-needed peace of mind.

Introducing “Onlooker Detection” in Windows 11

A new feature, reportedly in development for Windows 11, is called Onlooker Detection. And it does exactly what the name suggests: it alerts you when someone nearby tries to sneak a peek at your screen.

This feature builds on Microsoft’s existing Presence Sensing technology, which already lets your laptop detect when you walk away (so it can dim or lock your screen), and then wake up when you return. It’s often paired with Windows Hello for touch-free sign-ins.

But Onlooker Detection takes privacy even further.

Here’s what it might do:

• Automatically dim your screen if someone is detected nearby

• Send a warning alert letting you know someone’s looking

• Or possibly do both, depending on your settings

And the best part? You don’t have to press a single button. It works in the background to protect your screen.

Will It Work on My Laptop?

This feature isn’t available yet, and Microsoft hasn’t officially rolled it out—but it has been spotted in Windows 11 preview builds, so it may arrive soon.

To use it, though, your laptop needs to have specific hardware called a presence sensor (technically known as Human Presence Detection or HPD). These are usually found in newer laptops, especially those with chips from Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm.

Not sure if your device supports it?
You can check by heading to:
Settings > System > Power & battery

Why This Matters

With remote work and public working spaces becoming more common, privacy tools like this are increasingly valuable. A simple, automatic feature like Onlooker Detection can help protect your sensitive data, prevent awkward encounters, and give you greater control over who sees your screen.

It’s also a great example of how Microsoft is evolving Windows 11 to be more secure, intuitive, and user-friendly.

Final Thought

Privacy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And with features like Onlooker Detection potentially on the horizon, working in public might soon feel a lot less stressful.

Would a feature like this help you feel safer when working outside the office?

Let us know what you think—and if you want help reviewing your device’s security settings, we’re always here to help.

Next Steps

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