- Microsoft is rolling out a preview of the new version of the Photos app.
- The update introduces a new slideshow, timeline scrollbar, and spot fix features.
- The new version is available as a preview in the Canary and Dev Channels.
On Windows 11, the Photos app is getting an update with various new features and improvements, including a slideshow, timeline scrollbar, and spot fix. The update is rolling out now as a preview for devices enrolled in the Canary and Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program.
In the latest release of the Photos app, you can view images in a “slideshow” format with transitions, animations, and many original music soundtracks.
To use the feature, select one or multiple pictures and click the “Slideshow” button. You will also have access to the toolbar that includes the available options for transitions, animations, and music.
The “timeline scrollbar” to quickly jump to any point in time and find photos isn’t new to the app since it was previously available, but it was removed, and now it is back. You will be able to use the scrollbar on All Photos, OneDrive, and iCloud Photos gallery views which groups photos by year and month.
Finally, this update for the Photos app introduces the “Spot Fix” feature to remove blemishes or unwanted areas in your pictures.
Alongside the new features, the Photos app also comes with the “Auto Enhance” add-on. When importing photos from external devices, it’s now possible to drag and drop to choose the items and use the quick toggle to confirm the files. And copying and pasting an image from the app into Outlook and Teams now inserts the image inline by default instead of adding an attachment.
In addition, when selecting multiple items with the “Shift” key in the gallery now selects multiple consecutive photos in a row, and holding down the “Ctrl” key selects multiple non-consecutive items.
These updates are available with version 2023.11050.2013.0 or higher of the Photos app. If you want to update manually, open Microsoft Store > Library, and click the “Get updates” button.
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 14 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 20 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].