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Since the availability of Windows 7 and Vista 64 bit operating systems many users have upgraded from the 32 bit os and have run into driver support issues with OEM or 3 party vendors of various components such as video or web cams. Vendors are not readily available

to upgrade their "older" drivers to support the new 64 bit Vistas or Windows 7 and thus have created this prevalent issue of incompatible integrated web cams. The problem is not limited to integrated web cams either. On these systems with the device or web cam "in use by another application" error ANY web cam will fail and display the same error message.

Before we begin with the fix let's ensure your system has the latest drivers and firmware. My particular system is the Dell XPS M1530 T9500@ 2.6GHz, 4GB Ram, NVidia GeForce 8600M GT, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. I've also tested my setup with Vista 64 bit and resolve the "web cam in use by another application" error message. Here is another article that walks through the drivers and firmware upgrade and provides all the necessary drivers. I've stored them at a privately hosted server in case the vendors decide to make them obsolete!. For user of other vendors please visit their support sites or click these links: HP, IBM (Lenovo), Toshiba and Dell

After updating to the latest drivers and firmware follow this procedure:

1. open regedit
2. go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}
3. right click on {6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F} - new - string value
   1. rename string to UpperFilters
   2. right click on UpperFilters - modify
   3. enter string value of ksthunk
   4. exit
4. reboot the machine
5. test out the web cam with skype, an video encoder or other messaging applications with video
6. you should be up and running!