Photos app Archives

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft Photos Can Relight Your Images

Microsoft has introduced new features for Windows 11 and its Copilot+ PCs, along with AI-ready Surface hardware. Key enhancements include: - Photos App: A relight feature for adding digital light sources, auto presets, and manual adjustments; new object selection capabilities in Paint; and improvements to the Snipping Tool with a text extractor and color picker. - Recall Feature: Helps users find content by retracing steps and describing memories, with strong privacy controls. - Improved Windows Search: Allows conversational queries with AI interpreting context for relevant results, aided by specialized chips in Copilot+ PCs. - Click to Do: Streamlines workflows with contextual shortcuts for actions within a single application. - Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs: Introduction of a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface laptop featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors and advanced security tools. - Surface Laptop for Business: A 13-inch model with a thinner profile, anti-reflective touch screens, and an AI-enhanced camera. - Surface Pro for Business: A 12-inch versatile device that transitions between laptop and tablet modes, featuring an adjustable kickstand. - Availability: Software updates will start in April 2025, while new Surface devices will ship from July 22 in select markets.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft will soon allow AI to change your Windows 11 settings

Microsoft is introducing a new AI assistant within the Windows 11 settings app, designed to assist users by adjusting settings upon request and providing guidance on tasks. The AI assistant will be positioned at the top of the Settings app and will have the ability to autonomously adjust settings with user approval. It is currently available on Copilot+ PCs and will soon roll out to Windows Insiders on standard x86-powered systems, though an official release date for all Windows 11 users has not yet been announced. Additionally, the Photos app will receive new dynamic lighting controls, the Snipping Tool will feature an improved cropping area, a text extractor, and a color picker. AI integration will also extend to File Explorer, allowing users to engage with files through AI actions. A significant update called Copilot Vision will enable users to share browser and app windows with Copilot for enhanced assistance. These features will first be tested through the Windows Insider program before being released to the general public.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Microsoft says it accidentally broke Windows 10 Start menu, taskbar recent files feature

On April 22, Windows Latest reported that the jump list feature for live tiles in the Start menu was missing, a situation confirmed by Microsoft. This issue arose after updates released post-February 25, disrupting users' access to recently opened files or photos. The problem was linked to Microsoft's integration of a new Microsoft account control experience into the Start menu, which began with the Windows 10 KB5052077 optional update. Microsoft stated that this was not an intentional change and was under investigation. Following the April 2025 Update, the issue became more widespread. However, Microsoft has since rolled back the changes to the Start menu UI, restoring the recent section for affected users, and tests indicated that the jump list functionality has been reinstated across most devices.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Microsoft is finally making the Start menu better — now fix these 5 things, too

Users have expressed frustration with the restrictive Start menu in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, prompting some to seek third-party solutions. A newly discovered Start menu design is larger, allows immediate access to the full list of applications, and offers the option to remove the Recommended section. Microsoft's inclusion of Clipchamp as a video editing tool is seen as a step forward, but it lacks features compared to Apple’s iMovie and operates as a web-based application. Widgets in Windows 11 are not well-received due to their isolated interface, and integrating them onto the desktop could improve accessibility. The gaming experience on Windows remains subpar, particularly in navigation with a gamepad, and Windows Search directs users to Bing and Edge, limiting browser choices. The initial setup process for Windows 11 is cumbersome, with numerous prompts for Microsoft services, leading to a frustrating experience.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Enhancing Text Extraction in Windows 11 with Snipping Tool Update

Microsoft has released an update to the Snipping Tool in the latest preview version of Windows 11 (version 11.2503.27.0) for Insider Program testers. This update introduces a new text extraction icon in the toolbar, allowing users to select and copy text directly from images without capturing a screenshot first. The update simplifies the previous process, enabling users to launch the Snipping Tool and select an area for text extraction more intuitively. Users can copy specific sections or all text, with additional options available to customize the extraction process.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Windows 11 is about to get a nifty shortcut for copying out all the text from an image

Microsoft is testing a new feature in the preview version 11.2503.27.0 of the Snipping Tool for Windows 11 that allows users to extract text directly from images without taking a screenshot first. By pressing Windows + Shift + S, users can access a capture bar that includes a 'text extractor' option. This feature enables users to extract all visible text or select specific portions manually, with the option to remove line breaks. This enhancement follows similar text extraction capabilities introduced in the Photos app last year.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Gemini on Android Can Now Answer Queries About Google Photos

Google Photos has integrated with the Gemini app on Android, allowing users to interact with their photo libraries more effectively. This feature, known as Ask Photos, enables users to ask questions about their images and retrieve specific information. The rollout is gradual, and users can access it by navigating to the Gemini app, selecting Google Photos in the Apps menu, and toggling the switch to connect the AI chatbot with their photo library. Users can search for images using natural language prompts and ask questions about the content of the images. Gemini can identify images or albums and allow users to open them in Google Photos or drag and drop images into other applications, though it currently does not support photo editing or album management.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Gemini app rolling out Google Photos integration on Android

Google is rolling out an integration of its Photos app with the Gemini application for Android users, allowing seamless access to backed-up images and videos. The integration includes two main components: one for locating images and videos using criteria such as facial recognition, location, date, keywords, and current conversations, and another for requesting details related to photos. Users can issue specific prompts to find their photos and ask for information about past events. To activate the feature, users must navigate to the Gemini app and select Google Photos from the profile menu. The rollout is currently limited to a select group of invited users on Android devices in the United States.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11’s latest preview build makes updating your PC less of a hassle

Microsoft has released a new Release Preview build for Windows 11 Insiders, featuring significant updates. The Windows Update feature now provides an estimated offline time for updates, accessible through the Windows Update settings and the Start menu power button. The KB5055627 update introduces the Copilot+ Recall feature, which captures snapshots of user activities for easy information retrieval, requiring Windows Hello for secure access and specific system requirements. Windows Search has been improved to allow searches using descriptive terms instead of exact names, and the Click to DO feature suggests relevant applications based on user selections. These features will be rolled out gradually, and users can find guidance through the Windows Insider Program.