Microsoft updated Photos app: More cloud connectivity

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. Essentially, it will have more online functions.

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As Microsoft explains in a blog post, Photos now also has the option to access iCloud photos under Windows 10. To do this, those interested 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, all you have to do is activate the option to sync with iCloud photos. After a few minutes, the images from iCloud should appear in the Photos app.

Gallery makes local and cloud content tangible

The navigation area in the gallery is designed 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 the 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 the folders and content from the computer that have been added to the Photos app. You can add additional directories by clicking on “Add folder” next to “Gallery”.

You can now start a visual online search using “Visual Search with Bing” from the Photos app. Below the image, the Photos app displays a “Visual Search with Bing” symbol, which can also be called up using the right-click context menu. This opens the search results in Bing, which should provide similar images, related products or related content.

The Photos app can now optionally be kept in the background. The function uses the minimum number of processes and causes the app to start faster. This is activated by default and can be deactivated by turning off the “Performance” option in the settings. Images also receive a new context menu entry “Edit in Photos” in the 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-supported changes.

The update to the Photos app 2024.11080.30001.0 or newer brings the new features. Microsoft has started the distribution process, so the app has not yet reached all insiders. But that should happen shortly.

Microsoft last made detailed improvements in June. Access to frequently used functions was to be available there, and there was also a dedicated area with links to other Microsoft apps, such as the video editing app Clipchamp or Onedrive.

(dmk)