Ever had that unsettling feeling that someone’s peeking over your shoulder while you work in a café, airport lounge, or on the train? It’s not just in your head – shoulder surfing is a real privacy risk. From sensitive emails to confidential business documents, the information displayed on your laptop screen can be just as valuable as the files stored on it.
Microsoft is reportedly working on a new privacy feature for Windows 11 designed to tackle exactly this problem. It’s called Onlooker Detection – and it promises to alert you when someone nearby is trying to sneak a look at your screen.
How Onlooker Detection Works
The feature builds on Presence Sensing, a tool already available in Windows 11. Presence Sensing can dim or lock your display automatically when you step away, and wake it up when you return, integrating smoothly with Windows Hello for password-free sign-ins.
Onlooker Detection goes a step further. Using the same underlying technology, it can:
- Detect when someone else is looking at your screen
- Automatically dim the display to make it harder for others to read
- Send you a discreet warning notification
The goal is simple: to enhance your digital privacy without you having to take any manual action.
What You’ll Need for It to Work
Not every device will support this feature. To take advantage of Onlooker Detection, your laptop will need Human Presence Detection (HPD) hardware – a type of sensor increasingly built into newer laptops.
These sensors are commonly found in models powered by Qualcomm, AMD, or Intel chips. If you’re unsure whether your laptop has the capability, you can check in the Windows 11 Settings app under System > Power & battery.
Why This Matters for Privacy and Security
With remote and hybrid working on the rise, people are spending more time working in public spaces. The risk of prying eyes has grown alongside the need for stronger, smarter privacy solutions.
Data protection isn’t only about firewalls and passwords – it’s also about preventing casual observation. By dimming your screen or sending a discreet warning, Onlooker Detection offers a subtle yet powerful way to reduce the risks of shoulder surfing.
When Will It Be Available?
Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed a launch date for this feature. However, it has already appeared in recent Windows 11 preview builds, suggesting a public release may not be far off.
It’s a welcome addition, and one that shows Microsoft is serious about making Windows 11 not only more powerful, but also more personal and privacy-focused.
