How to Edit Images in the Windows Photos App (and Enhance Them With AI)

Giveaway Best – Looking for a free alternative to Photoshop? Microsoft’s Wubdiws Photos app offers impressive editing tools, including AI-powered features for Windows 11 users.

Overview of Microsoft Photos App

The Microsoft Windows Photos app lets you view and organize all the pictures on your Windows PC. But it also includes powerful photo-editing tools to help you enhance your photos. You can crop images, adjust brightness and other elements, apply filters, and remove blemishes. With AI integration in Windows 11, you can blur, remove, or replace backgrounds. Here’s a comprehensive guide to using these features.

Ensuring You Have the Latest Features

To access the AI-driven background options added in Windows 11 Version 23H2 (released in September 2023), ensure your OS is up-to-date. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any available updates.

Next, update the Photos app. Open the Microsoft Store app, click the Library icon, select Get updates, and then click Update all. This updates all your Microsoft Store apps, including Photos.

How to Crop an Image

1. Open the Windows Photos app and browse your photo libraries.
2. Open the photo you wish to edit.
3. Click the edit image icon (it looks like a photo) in the toolbar at the top.

Adjusting Orientation

• Rotate the photo 90 degrees using the first Rotate image icon (counterclockwise) or the second Rotate image icon (clockwise).
• Flip the photo horizontally with the icon featuring two horizontal arrows or vertically with the icon featuring two vertical arrows.
• Use the slider on the ruler at the bottom to rotate the photo to adjust the angle.

Altering Aspect Ratio

• Click the Free icon at the bottom to display all possible aspect ratios.
• Select a ratio to see its effect on the photo or manually adjust it by dragging the handles on the corners and sides.
• Set the photo to your preferred aspect ratio or click Original to return to the initial ratio.
• Adjust the framing by dragging the photo left, right, up, or down.
• When finished, click Done.

Cropping the Photo

• Drag the handles on the corners or sides to crop the photo.
• Drag the photo around the canvas to include necessary elements.
• After making adjustments, click Done.

Adjusting Lighting and Color

1. Click the Adjustment icon next to the Crop icon (it looks like a sun).
2. Adjust settings under the Light section: Brightness, Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, and Vignettes.
3. Under Color, move the sliders to adjust Saturation, Warmth, and Tint.

Adding a Filter

1. Click the Filter icon on the top toolbar (it looks like a paintbrush).
2. Select a filter from options like Punch, Golden, Radiate, Warm Contrast, Calm, Cool Light, B&W, Burn, Film, and Vintage.
3. Adjust filter intensity using the slider.
4. Alternatively, click the Auto Enhance button for automatic photo enhancement.

Marking Up an Image

1. Click the Markup icon at the top (it looks like a pen).
2. Choose a pen tool or highlighter from the bottom toolbar to draw on the photo.
3. Use the eraser tool to remove unwanted markups.
4. Click Clear all markup to remove all annotations.

Retouching a Photo

1. Click the Retouch icon on the top toolbar (it looks like an X).
2. Use the Spot fix slider to adjust the spot size you want to remove.
3. Drag the floating circle to the blemish and click to erase it.
4. Wait a few seconds for the spot to fade away.

Editing the Background of an Image

Blurring the Background

1. Click the Background icon at the top (it looks like a person).
2. Choose Blur to make the background less sharp.
3. Adjust the Blur intensity slider.
4. Use the Background brush tool to refine the blur area.
5. Click Apply to finalize the edit.

Removing the Background

1. Click the Remove button to erase the background, leaving only the subject.
2. Use the Background brush tool for precise control.
3. Click Apply to finalize the edit.

Replacing the Background

1. Click the Replace button to access the color palette.
2. Choose a background color.
3. Adjust the color tone or enter a specific hex code or RGB value.
4. Click Apply to set the new background.

Undoing Changes

1. Click the Undo icon on the toolbar to reverse the last action.
2. Continue clicking to undo previous actions.
3. Click the Redo button to redo the last action.
4. Click Reset to revert the image to its original form and confirm the reset.

Saving Your Edited Photo

1. Click the Save options button at the top.
2. Choose Save as copy to retain the original photo and save a duplicate.
3. Select Save to overwrite the original with the new version.
4. Choose Copy to clipboard to paste the image into another app or file.

By following these steps, you can leverage the Microsoft Windows Photos app to enhance your photos with ease, making the most of its built-in AI features. Whether you’re cropping, adjusting lighting, or editing the background, the Windows Photos app provides a user-friendly alternative to professional editing software.