Microsoft Photos on Windows 10 Adds iCloud Photos Integration

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Key takeaways

  • Microsoft introduces iCloud photo integration for Windows 10 and 11 Photos app users.
  • New navigation and search features make the Photos app easier and more powerful.
  • Update scale performance and functionality for Windows users, boosting productivity and creativity tools.

Microsoft has begun rolling out updates for the Microsoft Photos app to Windows Insiders on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

The update reaches Insiders across all Windows 11 channels and the Beta and Release Preview Channels on Windows 10.

Windows App SDK & Bing Image Search Now Available on Windows 10

On September 6, Microsoft introduced iCloud photo integration as part of its Photos app update rollouts for Windows 10 and 11 users. This feature lets users sync and view their iCloud photos directly within the app.

To access this feature, users must install the latest iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store, sign in with their Apple ID, and enable photo syncing.

The update also enhances the Photos app in several ways. A redesigned left navigation panel now organizes photos into clear subsections for OneDrive, iCloud, and local photos, making finding and managing your content easier.

Additionally, the update introduces Visual Search with Bing. This feature lets you search for similar images and related products directly from the Viewer, providing a more streamlined and informative search experience.

The upgrade aligns with Microsoft’s efforts to provide a consistent high-performance photo management experience across all Windows devices.

​​Building on the April update for Windows 11, which introduced the Windows App SDK platform to the Photos app, the latest upgrade brings a modern UI, improved navigation, and enhanced photo search capabilities.

Furthermore, Microsoft has introduced a new option to keep the Photos app running in the background, speeding up startup times. This option allows users to edit images directly from File Explorer via a new right-click option.

The software giant’s update for its Photos app is part of an ongoing effort to scale performance and functionality for Windows users, boosting productivity, creativity, and organization.

In line with this goal, the tech giant expanded access to its AI-based Designer app to Android and iOS devices, enabling users to create designs and images from prompts and templates on mobile.