Microsoft is distributing a new preview version of the Photos app for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Participants in the Insider program will gradually receive the new version. Basically, it gets more online features.
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How Microsoft said in a blog post Explained, Photos now also has the ability to access iCloud Photos on Windows 10. To do this, interested people need to go to “iCloud Photos” and install the latest version of iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store. After logging in with your Apple ID, you just need to activate the option to synchronize with iCloud Photos. After a few minutes, the images from iCloud should appear in the Photos app.
Gallery makes local and cloud content accessible
The navigation area in the Gallery aims to improve usability and make it easier to find local and cloud content. The Gallery option now allows access to all photos in one place, regardless of whether they are on the PC or in the cloud on iCloud or OneDrive. To view synchronized photos, simply click on “OneDrive – Personal”, “OneDrive – Business” or “iCloud Photos”. As expected, under “This PC” at the bottom of the navigation you will find folders and content from the computer that have been added to the Photos app. You can add additional directories by clicking “Add folder” next to “Gallery”.
“Generation” photo contest: the winners have been selectedYou can now start a visual online search with “Visual Search with Bing” from the Photos app. Below the image, the Photos app shows a “Visual Search with Bing” icon, which can also be accessed using the right-click context menu. This will open search results in Bing which should return similar images, related products, or related content.
The Photos app can now optionally be put in the background. This feature uses a minimum number of processes and makes the app start faster. It is active by default and can be disabled by turning off the “Performance” option in Settings. Images also get a new context menu entry “Edit in Photos” in File Explorer or on the desktop. This opens the photo editor, which allows you to crop, rotate, or rework the image – including adjustments and AI-backed changes.
The update to Photos app 2024.11080.30001.0 or newer brings new functions. Microsoft has started the distribution process, so the app has not yet reached all Insiders. But that should happen soon.
Microsoft last detailed the revamp in June. There was supposed to simplify access to frequently used functions, and there was also a dedicated area with links to other Microsoft apps like Clipchamp video editing or OneDrive.
(DMK)
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