Why Do Laptops Have Two Holes Next to the Webcam? Windows Hello Explained
The Mystery of the Second Hole
Laptops might be convenient computers for people to use and for businesses to deploy, but they’re also easy vessels for software and hardware producers to spread around new features—like Microsoft’s infamous Copilot key on Copilot Plus laptops.
Still, there’s a veritable medley of manufacturers to buy a laptop from, and they’ll all have their own intents and designs for their products. So, why do they all seem to put holes next to the webcam?
What Are the Holes Next to Your Webcam?
Let’s break down what you’re actually looking at on the top bezel of your laptop:
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Primary Camera | The main webcam used for video conferencing and chatting |
| LED Indicator | Lights up to let you know your camera is active |
| Privacy Cover | A physical shutter to block the camera when not in use |
| Microphone Array | Positioned near the camera, away from cooling fans that generate noise |
| Secondary Camera (IR) | Used for Windows Hello facial recognition |
The Key Insight: That extra hole that also looks like a camera is a camera—and it’s used for Windows Hello, Microsoft’s biometrics-based authentication system.
Understanding Windows Hello
Windows Hello is Microsoft’s biometric authentication system that helps Windows verify your identity through facial or fingerprint recognition. It lets you log into your computer as well as other sites that support passkeys.
What Are Passkeys?
Passkeys aren’t passwords or PINs. They are cryptographic relationships between a host service and some form of physical authentication on your device, such as:
-
A USB security key
-
A biometric scan (face or fingerprint)
You insert the key or scan in, and you complete the host-device handshake that allows you to log in.
Why This Matters: Since it’s generally more difficult to reproduce a facial print than it is to brute-force hundreds of password guesses per second, some argue there’s no longer a need for password managers.
How Windows Hello Facial Recognition Works
When Windows Hello launched in 2015, it accepted inputs from:
| Authentication Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensors | Capacitive or ultrasonic scanners |
| Infrared (IR) Sensors | Heat-sensing cameras that work in the dark |
| Multi-Camera Systems | Generate 3D composite signatures |
The vast majority of laptops went with infrared sensors for facial scans—and still do to this day.
Why Infrared?
The heat-sensing capabilities of IR cameras meant that you could authenticate with your face in the dark. This was a major advantage over standard color cameras, which require visible light to function.
The 2025 Security Change: Why Color Cameras Now Matter
A software vulnerability that Microsoft addressed in 2025 led to a significant change: color camera input must now be paired with infrared data for a facial scan.
| Before 2025 | After 2025 |
|---|---|
| IR-only facial recognition | IR + color camera required |
| Worked in complete darkness | Requires some ambient light |
| Single-sensor authentication | Dual-sensor authentication |
The Result: This change makes Windows Hello more secure but also explains why modern laptops increasingly include both an IR camera and a standard color camera in the same bezel.
Privacy Concerns and Physical Covers
Not every hole next to the webcam is a camera. A decent selection of devices includes a cover mechanism of some sort to assure some level of privacy—even if your camera is accessed while you aren’t aware.
| Privacy Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Physical Shutter | Slides over the camera lens to block it |
| LED Indicator | Provides visual confirmation that the camera is active |
| Kill Switch | Disconnects power to the camera entirely |
Pro Tip: Even with software-based privacy settings, a physical cover is the most reliable way to ensure your camera isn’t capturing anything you don’t want.
What About Face ID on MacBooks?
In a similar vein, we’ve been asking for a long time now if Apple will ever replace Touch ID on its MacBooks with Face ID.
iPhones and iPads have had TrueDepth camera systems for about a decade at this point—and it’s kind of wild that we haven’t seen them ported over to the laptops.
| Device | Authentication Method |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Face ID (TrueDepth) |
| iPad | Face ID (TrueDepth) |
| MacBook | Touch ID (fingerprint) |
| MacBook (future?) | Face ID (rumored) |
The Question: If Face ID is good enough for a $999 iPhone, why isn’t it on a $2,000 MacBook Pro?
Comparison Table: Authentication Methods
| Method | Security Level | Convenience | Works in Dark? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Password | ⚠️ Low | Low | Yes |
| Fingerprint (Touch ID) | ✅ High | High | Yes |
| IR Facial Recognition | ✅ High | High | Yes (pre-2025) |
| IR + Color Facial Recognition | ✅ Very High | High | Requires some light |
| Passkey | ✅ Very High | High | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does my laptop have two cameras next to each other?
A: One is the standard webcam for video calls. The other is an infrared (IR) camera used for Windows Hello facial recognition.
Q: Do I need Windows Hello?
A: No. It’s optional. You can still use a password or PIN to log in.
Q: Can Windows Hello work in the dark?
A: Historically, yes—thanks to IR sensors. However, after a 2025 security update, color camera input is now required alongside IR data, meaning some ambient light may be needed.
Q: Is Windows Hello safe?
A: Yes. It uses biometric authentication that’s more secure than a traditional password. However, no system is perfect, so a strong password as a backup is still recommended.
Q: Will MacBooks ever get Face ID?
A: It’s been rumored for years, but Apple hasn’t announced anything official. The TrueDepth system used in iPhones and iPads would theoretically work on a MacBook, but Apple continues to rely on Touch ID.
Q: What’s the best way to protect my webcam privacy?
A: Use a physical camera cover or shutter. It’s the most reliable way to ensure your camera isn’t recording when you don’t want it to.
Quick Reference Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What’s the extra hole? | An infrared (IR) camera for Windows Hello |
| What is Windows Hello? | Microsoft’s biometric authentication system |
| How does it work? | IR and color cameras scan your face to verify identity |
| Does it work in the dark? | Previously yes; now requires some light |
| Do I need it? | No—it’s optional |
| Will MacBooks get Face ID? | Rumored, but not confirmed |
Final Thoughts
The extra hole next to your laptop’s webcam isn’t a design flaw or a manufacturing error—it’s a Windows Hello infrared camera, designed to make logging in faster and more secure.
While the technology has evolved—requiring both IR and color camera input since 2025—it remains one of the most convenient authentication methods available on modern laptops.
The bottom line: The next time you look at your laptop’s bezel, you’ll know exactly what that second camera is for. And if you’re concerned about privacy, a simple physical cover is all you need to stay in control.
