Microsoft Photos app Archives

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Microsoft confirms it accidentally installed new OneDrive app on Windows 11 PCs, and there’s no easy way to remove it yet

Microsoft has unintentionally rolled out its AI-powered OneDrive Photos app on Windows 11, affecting enterprise PCs where it is non-functional. The app was initially limited to select consumer PCs but became widely available starting August 1, 2026. Microsoft confirmed that this rollout was not intended and is working on a solution to allow users to remove OneDrive Photos independently from the OneDrive sync client. Currently, the app cannot be uninstalled without removing OneDrive entirely. OneDrive Photos serves as a centralized hub for viewing images stored locally and in the cloud, integrating with OneDrive.com’s Gallery. It appears in search results above the traditional Microsoft Photos app, even on systems not part of the Windows Insider Program. IT administrators have expressed frustration over its unexpected presence on enterprise PCs, as the app is designed for personal accounts.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Microsoft never learns, IT admins rage as a new OneDrive app invades Windows 11 and keeps coming back when you remove it

Microsoft has begun silently installing the "OneDrive Photos" app on Windows PCs, including enterprise systems managed via Microsoft Intune, without prior notification. IT professionals have expressed significant frustration over this unexpected addition, noting that the app is incompatible with Entra accounts and cannot be removed without uninstalling OneDrive entirely. The app functions as a web-based gallery feature, indexing and displaying photos stored on local machines, but its necessity is questioned due to the existing Microsoft Photos app. OneDrive Photos is linked to the OneDrive sync client, making it impossible to uninstall independently. Users have reported that the app appears in Windows Search results with an 'Uninstall' option but does not show up in the Installed apps page, leading to confusion. A script has been developed to remove the shortcut, but it often reappears due to its connection with the OneDrive sync client. Discussions with Microsoft suggest that the rollout may have been unintended, with an apology expected soon.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Windows 11 is quietly installing OneDrive Photos, another image viewer that nobody asked for

In 2026, Windows 11 users noticed the unexpected addition of OneDrive Photos to the Start menu, a photo viewer and editor installed through a Windows Update or an update to the OneDrive sync client. OneDrive Photos is integrated into the existing OneDrive installation and operates via the executable file located at C:Program FilesMicrosoft OneDriveOneDrive.App.exe. It can scan local files for photos without requiring a Microsoft account and offers functionalities similar to the Microsoft Photos app. Users cannot remove OneDrive Photos independently from OneDrive, and to prevent its installation, OneDrive must be uninstalled entirely. The app includes features like AI-driven cloud search, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and a People section for organizing faces in images, with privacy assurances regarding facial data.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Microsoft tests Windows AI features on RTX GPUs, not just NPUs

Microsoft is expanding the availability of its Copilot+ features to users with Nvidia RTX GPUs, allowing older PCs to utilize advanced AI tools such as text summarization, image upscaling, and code generation. This change is facilitated by the experimental release of the Windows App SDK 2.2, which enables AI functionalities to run on dedicated Nvidia RTX GPUs. Features include text rewriting, editing, and advanced capabilities in the Microsoft Photos app. Users must download the experimental version of WinAppSDK 2.2, have an Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series GPU with at least 6GB of VRAM, and enable Developer Mode on their PC. This shift reflects a broader strategy to leverage local AI models while still using cloud resources, aiming to democratize access to AI capabilities across a wider range of devices.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

AI-powered Relight and Search now available in Microsoft Photos

The Microsoft Photos app has been updated on Windows 11, introducing new features for Copilot+ PCs. The Relight feature allows users to adjust lighting in images by positioning up to three light sources, changing light color, and setting a focus point, with additional brightness and intensity controls. Built-in presets are also available for quick application. This feature will initially be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered devices coming soon. The app now includes improved photo search using natural language, enabling users to find images by descriptive phrases. For commercial users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, access to Restyle Image and Image Creator is now available. Users should update their Photos app to version 2025.11060.5006.0 or higher to access these features.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s Photos app is about to get a big update, and it’s all about AI

The Photos app on Windows 11 is undergoing significant updates, currently available for Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. Key features include Optical Character Recognition (OCR) supporting over 160 languages, allowing users to extract and search text from images. A new "Search in Web" function enables users to find online results for selected text. The update also introduces a Copilot button within the Photos app for image enhancement tips, insights, and framing suggestions. Additionally, new shortcuts in File Explorer provide direct access to AI editing and Visual Search, allowing users to create with Designer and erase unwanted elements. The app now supports JXL files and includes bug fixes for improved performance. Users can enable the "Show subfolders" option to view images and videos from subfolders in the Gallery.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Microsoft Photos app on your Windows PC just got a major upgrade, and you’ll love it

The Microsoft Photos app has received an update that introduces new features for photo organization and editing for Windows 11 and 10 users. Key features include web search functionality with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract text from images, and a Copilot button that provides expert advice on image enhancement. The update also allows quick access to AI editing tools and visual search from File Explorer, with options like "Create with Designer," "Erase object," and "Visual Search with Bing." Users can customize the display of subfolder and gallery content by enabling the "Show subfolders" option. These enhancements are currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders, and users must update to Photos app version 2025.11030.20006.0 or higher to access them, although the rollout may not be immediate for all Insiders.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

March 2025 Microsoft Photos update now rolling out to Windows Insiders

The Microsoft Photos app is rolling out updates for Windows Insiders on Windows 11 and Windows 10 within the Release Preview Channel. Key enhancements include: - An Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature that supports over 160 languages, allowing users to extract text from images and search the web for selected text. - New shortcuts in File Explorer for AI editing and Visual Search, enabling users to edit images and search for similar images directly from the desktop. - A "Show subfolders" option that allows images and videos from subfolders to appear in the Photos Gallery. - Introduction of a Copilot button in the Photos app for AI assistance, offering photo editing tips, image insights, and framing suggestions. - Support for JXL files and bug fixes for the Image Creator and Restyle Image features. Users should update to version 2025.11030.20006.0 or higher to access these features.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

Previewing More Copilot+ Experiences with Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2510 (KB5048780) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features for AMD and Intel®-powered Copilot+ PCs, including the Recall feature and an expansion of Click to Do (Preview). To join the Dev Channel, users must register for the Windows Insider Program, link their Microsoft account, select the Dev Channel, and check for updates. The Recall feature allows users to find apps, websites, images, or documents by describing their content and includes timeline control for revisiting past activities. The Cocreator feature in Microsoft Paint enables AI-assisted artwork generation from text prompts. The Photos app has been updated with Image Creator and Restyle Image features for generating new images and applying artistic styles to existing photos, respectively. Click to Do has been enhanced with new activation methods and intelligent text actions, allowing users to summarize or rewrite text. Additional changes include a modernized Windows Hello experience, improvements to the system tray, and various fixes for audio and application stability. Known issues include problems with Recall and Click to Do functionalities, which will be addressed in future updates. The Microsoft Store now supports direct updates for Win32 apps.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

Microsoft expands Recall preview to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft is testing its AI-powered Recall feature on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs within the Windows 11 Insider program. Recall captures screenshots of active windows at regular intervals, analyzes them, and allows users to retrieve specific snapshots through natural language queries. It is an opt-in feature that requires user authentication via Windows Hello and filters out sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. Users can exclude specific applications or websites from being saved and have options to manage storage settings, delete snapshots, or disable the feature. Recall will support multiple languages and is expanding its availability to the European Economic Area. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing the Microsoft Photos app with new features such as Image Creator, Restyle Image, and Click to Do for Recall, which allows text rewriting and summarization. These updates are being rolled out to Windows Insiders following the installation of a specific Windows 11 Insider Preview Build.