Microsoft Designer Integration in Photos App
Microsoft Designer allows users to create AI images, apply effects, and edit them online. Previously, clicking on the Designer integration in Windows apps like Photos would redirect users to the Designer website in a browser. However, Microsoft has now updated the Photos app to allow editing images using Microsoft Designer without leaving the app.
The recent update to the Photos app, version 2024.11070.12001.0 and higher, includes this new feature. However, it is currently only available in select regions and languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian. Microsoft has stated that this feature will be rolled out to “most” countries.
If you don’t see the feature in your Photos app after updating, Microsoft advises waiting a few days as it may take some time to become available. Using Microsoft Designer within the Photos app eliminates the need to switch to a browser and wait for a webpage to load, providing a seamless editing experience.
Microsoft Designer in the Photos app focuses on using AI to edit images and is a cloud-based tool that requires an internet connection. However, there are also local AI solutions available for editing images.
Restyle Images in the Photos App
Copilot+ PCs offer exclusive AI features like Cocreator in Paint and Restyle in the Photos app. Restyle in the Photos app utilizes locally stored AI models to transform images, allowing users to select from predefined styles or create their own and adjust the creativity level. This feature is similar to the one in the Paint app, where users can create images in specific styles using Copilot.
One key difference is that Restyle requires an NPU to work and is significantly faster in generating images. Unlike some AI tools, Restyle does not operate on a credit system, allowing users to generate as many designs as they like.
The Photos app has also made UI improvements for better accessibility, including adding a Paint-like dynamic zoom slider for enhanced magnification control.
