The Windows Photos app is not merely a viewer; it houses a powerful suite of photo editing tools designed to refine, enhance, and stylishly transform your images. Even those who casually snap pictures can unlock professional-level techniques hidden within this app. Below, we explore four advanced features that can elevate your photo editing skills to new heights.
1. Employ the Generative Erase Tool for Flawless Fixes
The Generative Erase feature utilizes advanced AI technology enabling you to seamlessly eliminate unwanted objects or imperfections from your images. Unlike traditional erasers that replace areas with a flat color, this cutting-edge tool intelligently blends the erased section with the surrounding background, making your edits virtually undetectable.
This function is particularly effective for removing distractions such as photobombers, wires, trash cans, or even skin blemishes. To access this tool, simply click on Edit in the upper-left corner of the app and navigate to the Erase section. You’ll find a brush size adjustment slider on the right; it allows you to tailor the eraser size to your specific editing needs. Don’t stress over the size too much—just ensure the object is fully highlighted for the best results. The tool’s intelligent algorithms will take care of the rest.
In our assessments, the Generative Erase tool performed exceptionally well, removing both large and small elements effectively, provided that the background’s complexity was manageable. In rare instances, we observed slight distortions, but these were mostly evident due to our pre-existing knowledge of the image.
2. Extract Text from Images Effortlessly with OCR
Why rely on third-party OCR tools when the Windows Photos app offers built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities? This remarkable feature allows you to extract text directly from images, enabling you to edit or reuse that text. It’s invaluable for extracting information from screenshots or handwritten notes.
Simply open an image containing text, and click the Scan text option located just below the image. The Photos app will highlight text areas, allowing you to select and copy them wherever necessary.
In our tests, this functionality matched the performance of leading free OCR tools for printed text, accurately extracting text. We also put it to the test with challenging handwritten notes, which typically stump many other tools. Remarkably, this feature managed to recognize several words with impressive accuracy, showcasing its potential.
3. Effortlessly Modify Photo Backgrounds with AI
Whether your goal is to blur the background, completely remove it, or replace it, the Windows Photos app handles it with ease. The AI background editing capability detects the background automatically and applies your desired edits with a single click.
To get started, click on the Edit icon and head to the Background tool at the top. After a brief scanning period, Photos will identify and delineate the background. Double-check to ensure accuracy; if it misses any areas, you can manually adjust with the Background brush tool for precision.
Once you’ve selected the background, you can opt to Blur, Remove, or Replace it. For blurring, adjustable intensity options are available, and you can even use the color spectrum to select a new background hue. During testing, the app consistently delivered outstanding results regardless of whether we edited people, icons, or objects.
4. Tailor Image Dimensions and Quality with Image Resizing
Image resizing is a fundamental editing task, and the Windows Photos app provides a robust yet user-friendly resizing tool. While it lacks batch processing capabilities, it excels at maintaining image quality while adjusting file size—essential when optimizing images for various platforms.
Begin the resizing process by clicking on the three dots menu at the top of the app’s interface, then select Resize image.
A dialog box will appear, allowing you to modify the image size, quality, and format. The app even previews the file size in real-time as you adjust the parameters, helping you strike the ideal balance between quality and file size.
Bonus: Launch Images in Bing or Copilot
In addition to editing tools, the app offers convenient buttons to directly launch your image in Bing Search or Microsoft Copilot. This feature is particularly handy for discovering similar images online, or you can engage with Copilot to pose questions regarding the image itself.
The integration of AI features within the Windows Photos app truly enriches the user experience. For those who own a Copilot+ PC, additional functionalities await, including enhanced image upscaling capabilities powered by AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the Generative Erase feature work?
The Generative Erase tool removes unwanted elements from a photo and blends the background seamlessly, making it appear as though nothing has been altered in the image.
2. Is the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature accurate?
Yes, the OCR feature within the Windows Photos app effectively extracts text from images, including challenging handwritten notes, with impressive accuracy comparable to dedicated OCR tools.
3. Can I resize multiple images at once in the Photos app?
Unfortunately, the resizing tool does not support batch processing. However, it allows for detailed quality and dimension adjustments for individual images, ensuring optimal results for your editing needs.
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