Working in public spaces—like coffee shops, airports, or trains—often comes with an uneasy feeling: someone might be glancing at your screen. Whether you're reviewing sensitive emails or working on confidential documents, this kind of "shoulder surfing" is a real privacy concern.
Microsoft is reportedly developing a new feature for Windows 11 called Onlooker Detection, designed to address exactly that.
What is Onlooker Detection?
Building on Windows' existing Presence Sensing capabilities—which can lock or dim your screen when you step away—this new feature takes privacy a step further. If someone is detected looking at your screen, your device can automatically:
- Dim the display to obscure content
- Send you a discreet alert
- Or both
The goal is to enhance privacy without requiring any manual action from the user.
What You’ll Need
To use this feature, your device must support Human Presence Detection (HPD)—a sensor technology found in many newer laptops, particularly those powered by Qualcomm, AMD, or Intel processors. You can check your device’s compatibility by navigating to Settings > System > Power & battery.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially announced a release date, Onlooker Detection has appeared in recent Windows 11 preview builds, suggesting it may be available soon.
Why It Matters
In an era where data privacy is more important than ever, subtle protections like this can make a meaningful difference—especially for professionals who frequently work on the go. It’s another example of how Microsoft is evolving Windows 11 to be not just more powerful, but also more secure and user-aware.
Would a feature like this give you more peace of mind when working in public?
