Microsoft is giving the Photos app on Windows 11 a significant upgrade, transforming it into a more powerful and user-friendly tool. The company has announced a major overhaul that goes beyond a simple visual refresh, introducing a redesigned Gallery, a rebuilt photo editor, and a faster image viewer. These changes are now rolling out to Windows Insiders, with a broader release expected before the end of 2026.
The new Gallery is a standout feature, consolidating photos and videos from your PC, OneDrive, and even Apple's iCloud into one centralized location. This eliminates the need to switch between different apps to find your pictures. Microsoft has also enhanced the search functionality, allowing users to find photos using everyday language like 'sunset at the beach' instead of relying on file names or dates. A new People feature lets you browse pictures featuring specific individuals, and Moments automatically groups related pictures from your OneDrive collection into memories.
The photo editor has been completely rebuilt using WinUI 3, promising a 25% faster launch. The editing tools are now organized into four sections: Crop, Enhance, Repair, and Stylize. One notable addition is an improved object-removal tool powered by AI, which can quickly and accurately remove unwanted elements from photos. The editor also supports HDR images, HEIC, and WebP files, and includes new social media crop presets for platforms like Instagram.
The image viewer has also received attention, with a cleaner interface, better HDR viewing, SVG support, and a more detailed information panel. Microsoft claims the viewer now launches 15% faster on average, with HEIC images opening up to 30% faster. For now, these features are available to Windows Insiders, with a wider release planned for later this year.