If you purchased or are considering buying the Surface Pro 9 5G model, one of the treats is something known as Windows Studio Effects. As the same suggests, these are new visual effects for your webcam and camera and audio feed powered by Windows 11 and the NPU on the Microsoft SQ3 chip inside the Surface Pro 9 itself.
Do note that this isn't a feature you'll find on some other best Surface devices. It is only on the Surface Pro 9 5G model and other devices with an Arm-based Soc that has an NPU. But as cool as it is, it isn't exactly an upfront feature. This is why we explain below how to use it.
What you'll need
To enable Windows Studio Effects on your Surface Pro 9, you'll need the following.
- Surface Pro 5 with 5G: As we mentioned before, Windows Studio Effects only work with the Surface Pro 9 5G model. It's the model that has the Microsoft SQ3 processor. If you have an Intel-powered Surface Pro 9, you won't find these settings.
- Access to Windows 11 Settings app: To enable and play with the various Windows Studio Effects, you'll have to get into the Windows 11 Settings app. If you don't have access, ask an administrator. You also can get these effects from the Windows 11 Camera app.
- Access to the Windows 11 Quick Settings: Microsoft is beta testing an ability to enable Windows Studio Effects from Windows 11's Quick Settings area. You can get this by clicking the area with your Wi-Fi and sound settings.
Step 1: Head to the Windows 11 Settings app
The Windows 11 settings app is home to the Windows Studio Effects. You can open the Windows 11 settings app at any time from your system by clicking Windows Key + I on your keyboard. Once you have the settings app open, you can follow the paths in the next step to get to Windows Studio Effects.
Step 2: Enable your Windows Studio Effects for the webcam
Now that you have the Windows 11 Settings app open, here's where to go to enable and tweak Windows Studio Effects. It's simple.
- Click Bluetooth and devices in the sidebar.
- Click Cameras.
- Choose Surface Camera Front.
- Look for Camera effects.
- Turn on all the effects. You can choose automatic framing, eye contact, and background effects. Background effects will have an additional option for standard blur, or portrait blur.
Step 3: Enable your Windows Studio Effects for the microphone
In addition to webcam effects, you can also apply Windows Studio Effects to your microphone. These provide audio enhancements that make your web calls sound clearer. This one requires going down a different settings path.
- Click System in the Settings app sidebar.
- Click Sound.
- Scroll down and click All sound devices.
- Pick Internal Microphone Array, Front.
- Scroll down and look for Audio Enhancements.
- Pick Microsoft Windows Studio Voice Focus from the list.
- Make sure the toggle under is switched to On.
Step 4 (Windows Insiders only): Enable from Quick Settings
Microsoft recently started testing the ability to use Windows Studio Effects from Quick Settings. This is only available for Windows Insiders who have opted into the Beta Channel to get new features, though, so you'll have to join the Windows Insider program to see this feature. Once you do, you can click in the Quick Settings area at the bottom right of the taskbar, and then choose Studio Effects to adjust the various effects, just like we described above. The difference is the settings are now in a more compact layout and area.
That's it! You've now enabled Windows Studio Effects for your Surface Pro 9 5G. The changes you make will apply to all apps that use your camera, not just Microsoft apps. If you want to play with these effects outside of Zoom, Slack, or Skype, you also can find them in the camera app at any time. Just click the magic wand and magic icon at the top right of the camera feed and select them! We hope you enjoy looking your very best on your Skype, Zoom, and Teams calls!
Surface Pro 9 5G
Take your work on the go with one of Microsoft's best 2-in-1 products, which arrives with a 12th generation Intel Evo i5 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage space, and an extremely easy-to-carry light and thin design.