optical character recognition Archives

Winsage

November 3, 2024

5 ways to take copying and pasting to the next level on Windows

- Windows users can copy and paste using CTRL + C and CTRL + V shortcuts. - Clipboard history can be enabled to retain a list of the last 25 copied items, accessible by pressing WIN + V. - PowerToys Advanced Paste allows users to choose how to paste copied content, including options for plain text, Markdown, or JSON, activated with Windows key + Shift + V. - PowerToys Advanced Paste includes an AI feature for summarization, translation, or style adjustments, requiring an API key from OpenAI. - To paste without formatting, users can use Ctrl + Shift + V in certain applications or Ctrl + Alt + V in Microsoft Office, or use the "Paste as plain text" option. - Windows supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract text from images using the Photos app or Snipping Tool.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

We tried Windows 11 LTSC. It comes with your classic apps, no AI or modern UI

Windows 11 LTSC version 24H2 is designed for enterprise users and does not support personal Microsoft accounts during setup. The installation process requires a work or school account, but users can bypass this by using a command prompt trick to set up a local account. The operating system is free from adware and promotional content, presenting a clean interface. It includes the new Outlook web app and retains legacy versions of some applications like Snipping Tool and Paint, which have been updated with modern features. Customization options are limited in the unactivated version, and users must download applications manually without access to the Microsoft Store. File Explorer has enhancements like tab duplication and support for various compression formats. A list of pre-installed applications includes various Microsoft Visual C++ runtimes, Microsoft Edge, Outlook, Paint, and Notepad.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

4 Windows Snipping Tool tips and tricks you need to know

The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 allows users to capture screenshots and annotate images. It can be accessed quickly using keyboard shortcuts, such as Windows + Shift + S to open the tool and Print Screen to launch it if enabled in settings. The tool includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for extracting text from screenshots, which can be copied or edited. Users can utilize a delay feature to capture pop-up menus or tooltips. Additionally, the Snipping Tool now supports video recording, allowing users to capture screen activity along with audio. Alternatives like ShareX are also available for users seeking more features.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft Photos adds a tool to enhance your low-quality pictures – but there’s a catch

Microsoft has introduced a super resolution feature in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance and enlarge images up to eight times their original size. This feature is available to all Windows Insiders and is particularly useful for improving low-quality images for printing or display on larger screens. Users can crop images while maintaining resolution, but the feature requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC and the latest versions of Windows 11 Insider Preview and Microsoft Photos. Initial testing revealed mixed results, with some users reporting minimal improvements in blurry or grainy images. Additionally, Microsoft has added Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to its Photos app, allowing users to extract text from images, supporting over 160 languages. Access to these features requires participation in the Windows Insider Program.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft creates a new reason to buy an AI-powered Copilot+ PC — image upscaling in Microsoft Photos

Microsoft has introduced a preview of its super resolution feature for Copilot+ PCs within the Photos app, specifically for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. This image upscaling feature is exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11, version 24H2 or higher, and is available in the Canary, Dev, and Release Preview Channels. The super resolution uses AI to enhance and enlarge images up to 8x the original size, ideal for improving low-quality photos and preparing images for large prints or displays. It processes enhancements using the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) on the device. Additionally, a robust optical character recognition (OCR) feature is available to all users, supporting over 160 languages for text extraction from images.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft Photos app gets AI super resolution upscaling in Windows Insider build

Super Resolution upscaling is now available on all Windows 11 24H2 Insider Channels for Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, allowing users to enhance image resolution by up to eight times while maintaining clarity. This feature currently supports only Snapdragon-based PCs due to reliance on the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), but plans are in place to extend compatibility to Intel Core 200 and AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPUs. Users can activate Super Resolution in the Photos app by clicking an icon in version 2024.11100.17007.0. Additionally, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) support has been introduced in the Photos app, enabling text recognition in over 160 languages. Other updates include single-click image opening, automatic resizing of large images, and improvements to the Image Creator and Restyle Image features. A GenAI-based eraser for the Photos app is also being tested, with public rollout expected in November for Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD Copilot+ PCs. Generative AI will assist in photo searches based on text prompts, and a feature called "Click to Do" will provide editing suggestions.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

Microsoft Photos can now upscale and enhance images using AI

Microsoft has introduced a Super Resolution feature in its Photos app, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance and enlarge low-resolution images by up to eight times the original size. This feature is currently exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs that have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Super Resolution is available to Windows Insiders on Windows 11, but there is no timeline for its rollout to the stable version. The update also includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) support for copying text from images, usability improvements to Zoom functionality, and a streamlined process for opening images from File Explorer’s Gallery.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

Copilot+ PCs are about to get another exclusive feature on Windows 11

Copilot+ PCs will soon support super resolution in the Photos app on Windows 11, currently being tested with Windows Insiders. This feature can enhance and enlarge images up to 8x, improving the quality of low-resolution photos and allowing for large-format prints or tight cropping without losing clarity. Additionally, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is being tested in the Photos app, enabling users to detect and copy text from images in over 160 languages. Microsoft is also expanding Copilot+ AI features to select AMD and Intel processors by the end of the year. Enhancements to the Photos app include single-click support in the Gallery, improved zoom functionality, and bug fixes for the Image creator and Restyle image features.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

This new Microsoft Photos update may make Copilot+ actually useful

Microsoft has introduced a "super resolution" feature for Copilot+ devices that enhances image quality by magnifying images up to eight times their original size using artificial intelligence. This feature is beneficial for improving low-resolution photos and preparing images for large-scale prints. Additionally, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) has been integrated into the Photos application, allowing users to scan images for text and convert it for easy copying. All processing is done locally on the device to ensure user privacy. Users must enroll in the Insider build program and update the Photos app to version 2024.11100.17007.0 or higher to access these features.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

Microsoft starts testing image upscaling and OCR in Windows 11’s Photos app on Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 version 24H2, introducing AI-driven features for Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders can now use the Super Resolution image upscaling feature in the Photos app, allowing images to be upscaled by up to eight times their original size using AI and Neural Processing Units in Snapdragon-powered devices. The updated Photos app also includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) support for extracting text from images in over 160 languages. Other enhancements include single-click support in the Gallery for opening images, automatic resizing of large images in the Viewer, improved synchronization of the zoom slider, and bug fixes for the Image Creator and Restyle features. These updates are available in version 2024.11100.17007.0 and newer for users enrolled in the Windows Insider program.