- To erase distractions from pictures on Windows 11 (or 10), open the Photos app, choose the picture, click “Edit image,” click “Erase,” and select the area to remove with AI.
On Windows 11 (and 10), you can leverage the Photos app to erase distractions from images, and in this guide, I will show you how to complete this editing process.
Starting on version 2024.11020.21001.0 and higher releases, the Photos app includes a new Generative Erase feature that uses AI to allow you to fix and remove distractions from pictures by circling or bruising other things you want to erase, similar to the Android Magic Eraser feature.
The feature is technically the “Spot fix,” but it’s now been updated with AI. According to the company, it “creates a more seamless and realistic result after objects are erased from the photo, even when erasing large areas.” The Erase option is available for the version of the Photos app for Windows 11 and 10 and for Arm64 devices.
In this guide, I’ll teach you the easy steps to erase background distractions from your photos on Windows.
How to use Photos app eraser feature on Windows
To erase distractions from images through the Photos app, use these steps:
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Open Photos on Windows 11.
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Open the picture to edit with the background to remove.
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Click the Edit image (Ctrl + E) option.
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Click the Erase button in the command bar.
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(Optional) Adjust the brush tool size from the right side as necessary.
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Use the brush tool over the area to remove from the picture.
Once you complete the steps, the Photos app will use Generative AI to analyze the image, remove the selected area, and try reconstructing the area.
The feature also includes the “Auto apply” option turned on, but you can turn it off to select all the areas first and then click the “Erase” button.
It’s important to note that with this release, Microsoft is also bringing all the AI features from Photos to Windows 10 users. These include the ability to blur and remove background from images.
If you don’t see the option, it’s because you don’t have the version of the Photos app that includes the Generative Erase feature. If so, use these instructions to update the app.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].