Microsoft Disables OCR Feature in Windows 11 Photos App Temporarily

Microsoft Photos App Update: Key Features and Recent Developments

In late October 2024, Microsoft unveiled a significant update for the Photos app on Windows 11, introducing two noteworthy features: Super Resolution and Optical Character Recognition (OCR). However, following a month of user testing, the tech giant decided to pause the rollout of the OCR feature to resolve several issues.

Official Announcement and Feature Rollback

Brandon LeBlanc, a representative from the Windows Insider Program team, shared the news on his X profile that OCR functionality has been temporarily disabled. Furthermore, the original announcement was updated to include the following notice:

UPDATE 11/21: OCR support in the Photos app has been temporarily disabled to address some issues and will be re-enabled again in a future update.

Initial Challenges and Compatibility Issues

This setback is not the only challenge associated with this update. Shortly after the initial launch, Microsoft acknowledged a mismatch where the Super Resolution feature appeared on computers that did not meet the compatibility requirements. Specifically, Super Resolution is designed solely for Copilot+ PCs equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors; however, some users with traditional x86 processors unexpectedly gained access to it.

Understanding Optical Character Recognition in the Photos App

Unlike Super Resolution, the OCR feature is versatile enough to function on any Windows 11-compatible computer, regardless of the processor brand—be it Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm. This functionality supports over 160 languages and enables users to effortlessly extract handwritten or printed text from images with a simple click.

Alternative Text Extraction Methods Still Available

While the rollback on OCR may disappoint some users, those looking to extract text from images can still utilize built-in tools within Windows. The Snipping Tool allows you to capture a screenshot using the Win + Shift + S shortcut, after which you can select the “Text actions”option. Another effective solution is the Text Extractor module found in PowerToys, a utility that is compatible with both Windows 10 and 11.

In conclusion, although the OCR feature is currently on hold, users can still access alternative methods for text extraction, ensuring that essential functionalities remain available in Windows 11.

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