Web cam locked by another application

[nithig]

Anyone found a solution for this problem? Don't know if it's particular to Toshiba laptops.
What happens is that the icon appears as normal at side of desktop (auto hide). Click it to open onto desktop and there are 3 options: Camera/Video; Settings; Effect.
However, when I click on the first (to use cam in skype) I get the message:
"Device is locked by another application".

Since the webcam isn't listed in Device Mnger I'm not sure how else I can find out what it doing the locking.

 

[Callender]

See if "Who Stalks My Cam" can pinpoint the process.

How can I find out the application which use my webcam - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[nithig]

Thanks Callender, I've downloaded and installed and will monitor. Right now the cam is functioning correctly again and to me it's a mystery how it returned. So observation from now on. thanks for the lead to this handy utility.