How can I take a picture with my webcam in Windows 7?

Answer I wrote from another similar question.

Technically it isn't built in, but it is by Microsoft - so hope that doesn't count as third party in your books.

I find the best and quickest program to be Microsoft AMcap.

It works via native DirectX functions and is very lightweight.

It is a free utility available through the DirectX SDK - and here is a direct link to Amcap.exe.

You can do that easily with an free online flash app: http://blog.chrometaphore.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/WebcamSnapshot.swf

(it's an example but you can found a lot)

Edit:

https://amw.github.io/jpeg_camera/demo/

An other example of an online photobooth (using HTML5, with Flash fallback), which require no additional software

The most straightforward way it to install Picasa ..: http://picasa.google.com/

.. click on icon for "Capture photos and videos from a webcam or other video device" ..:

.. and then take picture or record video: