GoKawiilMicrosoft rebuilds Windows 11 Photos app with native editor, faster viewer
Microsoft has rolled out an updated Photos app for Windows 11 Insiders featuring a new native editor and viewer, plus a redesigned gallery. The editor adds tools like Crop, Enhance, Repair, Stylize, and a new Relight feature for fixing lighting, alongside AI-powered object removal and support for HDR, HEIC, and WebP formats. Microsoft claims the editor launches 25% faster and the viewer opens photos up to 30% faster for HEIC files, with wider release to all users expected later this year.
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The changes reflect Microsoft's broader push to speed up Windows 11's built-in apps and encourage adoption of Photos as the default editor, addressing long-running complaints about sluggish performance. However, some power users are reportedly unhappy that the new gallery relies on a web-based structure rather than a fully native one, which could raise concerns about performance or flexibility for advanced workflows. The staged Insider rollout suggests Microsoft is still testing feedback before a full public release.
- New native editor adds Crop, Enhance, Repair, Stylize, and Relight tools with AI-based object removal
- Microsoft claims 25% faster editor launches and up to 30% faster HEIC image loading
- Redesigned gallery keeps OneDrive and iCloud integration but has drawn criticism for its web-based approach
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD — As the new Windows Photos app rolls out faster native editing and HDR/HEIC support, having a speedy external drive makes managing big photo libraries and RAW edits much smoother. This rugged, compact SSD is great for quickly transferring and backing up your growing photo gallery while you experiment with the new editing tools.
See SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Kishalaya Kundu, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “The new Windows Photos app goes native for editing and viewing, but power users are mad about the web-based gallery”
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