Windows Photos Introduces JXL Support, Enhanced Context Menus, OCR Web Search Features, and Additional Updates

Windows Photos Introduces JXL Support, Enhanced Context Menus, OCR Web Search Features, and Additional Updates

Exciting Updates for Windows Photos App Now Available for Insiders

Microsoft has unveiled a significant update for the Windows Photos application, accessible to users participating in the Windows Insider program. Individuals in all preview channels for Windows 10 and 11 can now explore a variety of new features, including enhanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR), improved context menus, subfolder support, a dedicated Copilot button, and JXL file format compatibility.

Enhancements in Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced OCR capabilities to the Photos app on both Windows 10 and 11. The latest update allows users to select recognized text within images and seamlessly click “Search in Web”to obtain more information, significantly enhancing the app’s utility for research and educational purposes.

Windows Photos app OCR feature

Streamlined Context Menus

Users can expect an improved context menu when right-clicking images within File Explorer on Windows 11. The new submenu introduces essential features, including:

  • Edit with Photos
  • Erase Objects with Photos
  • Create with Designer
  • Visual Search with Bing

This enhancement facilitates quicker access to tools, thereby enriching user experience and making image management more efficient.

Windows Photos app context menu

Improved Navigation and AI Features

The update also introduces the ability to show or hide subfolders and their corresponding content within the Gallery. This feature promises to deliver a more organized and convenient navigation experience. Additionally, a dedicated Copilot button has been added to the toolbar, enabling users to share images with AI for personalized photo editing suggestions, image analysis, and framing recommendations.

Windows Photos app AI features

Other Notable Changes

In response to user feedback, the Photos app now provides support for JXL file formats, an important addition for those working with this emerging image format. Furthermore, key fixes have been implemented for the Image Creator and Restyle Image features specifically on Copilot+ PCs. These updates ensure:

  • Improved loading times for the Image Creator upon the initial launch of the Photos app.
  • The ability to save generated images under alternative filenames, enhancing user flexibility.

These updates are being rolled out in version 2025.11030.20006.0 and newer to Windows Insider participants. Please note that the rollout is issued gradually, so immediate access to all features may vary after the latest installation.

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