Last September, Microsoft launched a new Windows Photos app. The redesigned application was released to coincide with the launch of Windows 11, while also borrowing design tropes from its parent OS. However, just a year later Microsoft is already testing a new design for the Windows 11 Photos app.
Rather than a complete overhaul, it seems Microsoft is tweaking the design of Photos. The biggest change is a new gallery view, which provides various ways to sort and view images. Microsoft confirmed the changes in a blog post.
According to the company’s Dave Grochocki, the new gallery view will offer a simpler way to find, managing, and view photos on Windows 11. Furthermore, Microsoft will improve the Memories feature, but there are no details on the nature of the improvements.
While the useful image editing tools Microsoft launched earlier this year will be available, the company is depreciating video editing tools. When the new Photos app arrives, you will no longer be able to edit your videos in it.
Editing
Instead, Microsoft is redirecting users to Clipchamp. The company acquired Clipchamp last year and has since made it the default video editor on Windows 11. If you prefer to have video editing within Photos, Microsoft will maintain the Microsoft Photos Legacy app in the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft launched the new Photos app for Windows 11 back in September. Aside from matching the Flow aesthetic of Windows 11, the new Photos experience also adds WinUI 2.6 controls. Other new additions include more ways to view a photo and Mica effects.
The new Photos app is landing on the Dev Channel for Windows Insiders this Wednesday.
Tip of the day: Did you know that you can assign keyboard shortcuts for starting applications quickly in Windows 11 and Windows 10? This is a great way to have your most used programs always at your fingertips. In our tutorials we show you how to set those hotkeys for your favorite apps.
