Windows 11’s new Onlooker Detection feature
Have you ever felt uneasy working on your laptop in a coffee shop, airport, or even on a train—like someone might be peeking at your screen?
It’s not just an uncomfortable feeling. For business users, it’s a genuine privacy risk. Whether you’re drafting sensitive emails, reviewing financial reports, or simply prefer to keep your information private, shoulder-surfing is a concern worth addressing.
Microsoft is working on a clever solution. A new feature, currently being tested in Windows 11, is called Onlooker Detection. As the name suggests, it’s designed to recognise when someone nearby is trying to glance at your screen and alert you instantly.
This innovation builds on Windows’ existing Presence Sensing technology, which can already lock or dim your display when you step away, and wake it again when you return (integrated with Windows Hello for smooth sign-ins).
The new update takes things a step further. If an onlooker is detected, your device can:
- Dim the screen automatically, making it harder for strangers to read,
- Send you a notification, or
- Do both—without requiring any action from you.
Of course, your laptop needs the right hardware for this feature: a Human Presence Detection (HPD) sensor. These sensors are increasingly common in newer laptops powered by Qualcomm, AMD, or Intel processors. Not sure if your device supports it? Check under Settings > System > Power & battery to find out.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially announced a release date, the feature has already appeared in preview builds of Windows 11—so it may not be long before it rolls out to everyone.
This is more than just a cool update. With data privacy becoming more important than ever, tools like Onlooker Detection provide subtle yet powerful protection, especially for professionals working in public or shared spaces.
Would this feature make you feel more secure when working on the go?
At GZD, we help South African businesses strengthen their IT security—from device protection to enterprise-wide solutions. Contact us today for tailored advice on improving your business’s IT security.
