# Viewing webcam over a network

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-webcam-over-a-network/480097>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-webcam-over-a-network/480097 "2009-01-06T16:15:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-webcam-over-a-network/480097/1 "2009-01-06T16:15:32Z")

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I have a desktop computer upstairs and a laptop with a wireless connection. I have them networked together so they can share the printer and some of the folders. The upstairs computer has a webcam installed.

What would be the easiest way for me to be able to view the webcam on the laptop? Do I need more software or is there something built into Windows? Both computers are running XP.

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-webcam-over-a-network/480097/2 "2009-01-06T19:47:39Z")

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Netmeeting or Windows Messenger could probably do that. Both computers probably already have 'em.