
Microsoft Enhances Windows Photos App with OCR Support
In October 2024, Microsoft made significant enhancements to the Windows Photos application within Windows 11. Users of Copilot+ PCs were treated to a built-in image upscaler, while those utilizing standard computers gained access to optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities. However, in November, the company temporarily halted the rollout to refine these features. Now, good news for testers: it has returned for further evaluation.
Latest Updates on OCR Features
As highlighted in Microsoft’s updated announcement from October 2024, OCR support is again accessible to Windows 11 insiders across all channels. This update not only reintroduces the OCR functionality but also fixes various bugs to enhance user experience. The OCR button is now consistently visible on all images, even those without text. Additionally, a pleasing animation is featured when the Photos app scans an image, creating a smoother interaction—similar to what users find in Paint and the Snipping Tool.
Official Announcement Highlights
UPDATE: We are beginning to roll out OCR support in the Photos app again to Windows Insiders on Windows 11 across all Insider Channels. We’ve made some improvements to the experience. The OCR button has been updated and will show up for every image. If the image does not have any text, there will be a notice letting you know OCR can’t be run on the image. We’ve also added a loading animation too. Let us know what you think!
Future Availability and Features
As for when OCR functionality will be available to users outside the Insider Program, Microsoft remains tight-lipped, urging users to stay tuned for future updates. In the meantime, for those eager to utilize OCR capabilities, you can use the Snipping Tool. Simply press Win + Shift + S, select your image, and click the “Text Action”button to extract text.
Broadening Horizons for Users
Alongside the OCR updates, Microsoft is also exploring significant enhancements aimed at musicians and users who frequently access OneDrive across multiple devices. These developments promise to broaden the functionality of Windows applications, making them even more versatile in meeting diverse user needs.
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