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

Enhancing low-quality photos has long been a challenge for many users, whether it’s a blurry snapshot or a faded print from years gone by. In a bid to address this common issue, Microsoft has introduced a new feature in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview: super resolution. This innovative tool leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance and enlarge images up to eight times their original size, offering a promising solution for those looking to salvage their cherished memories.

Super Resolution Feature

Announced recently, the super resolution feature is now available to all Windows Insiders. Microsoft positions this tool as an ideal way to improve low-quality images, making it particularly useful for those who wish to print photos or display them on larger screens without losing detail. Users can also tightly crop images while maintaining resolution, a significant advantage for photographers and casual users alike.

However, there are some limitations. To utilize super resolution, users need a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC, as the feature relies on the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) of these devices to perform enhancements directly. Additionally, users must ensure they are running the latest versions of both Windows 11 Insider Preview and Microsoft Photos.

Interestingly, during initial testing, some users reported being able to access super resolution on non-Copilot+ PCs. This anomaly was attributed to a glitch, which Microsoft has since corrected, removing the feature from unsupported devices.

In practical tests, the results of the super resolution feature have been somewhat mixed. Users have noted that the enhancements did not significantly improve the quality of blurry or grainy images. After processing, comparisons between the original and enhanced photos revealed minimal differences, whether viewed on larger displays or in print. This sentiment was echoed by ZDNET editor Kyle Kucharski, who speculated that the tool might be more effective with images that are already of relatively high resolution.

Despite the underwhelming performance, the potential for future improvements remains. The super resolution feature may eventually become accessible to all Windows 11 users, expanding its utility beyond the current limitations.

Additional Features

In addition to super resolution, Microsoft has rolled out another noteworthy feature in its Photos app: Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This tool allows users to detect and extract text from photos, screenshots, and other images, enabling easy copying of text for use in various applications. The OCR functionality supports over 160 languages, further enhancing its versatility.

To access these features, users must be part of Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program. Simply navigate to Settings, select Windows Update, and download the latest updates. For the newest version of Microsoft Photos, open the Microsoft Store app, click on the Downloads icon, and update all relevant applications.

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