Microsoft has launched a revamped version of its Photos app for Windows 11. This updated Photos application, using the Windows App SDK, replaces the earlier versions built with the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). Users who have Microsoft Photos version 2024.11050.3002.0 and above can now utilize the enhanced app.
Development and Performance Upgrades
By default, the upgraded Photos app now runs at a medium integrity level, which allows users to save edited photos directly without selecting a folder. Microsoft has also unified various processes into a single one, removing background services like “PhotosService.exe” from Task Manager.
With access to new Win32 APIs and modifications in WinUI 3, the Photos app now includes features that were absent in the UWP version. The app uses Chromium-based WebGL to deliver better image rendering and employs “SharedBuffer” to boost performance during image editing.
Switching from UWP to the Windows App SDK posed numerous challenges for Microsoft’s engineering team. However, this transition has led to improved performance metrics. The integration of WebView2, a web component also found in the Edge browser, has contributed to a quicker and more efficient user experience.
Technical Enhancements with Windows App SDK
Introduced in March 2021, the Windows App SDK helps developers craft apps for both Windows 11 and Windows 10 (version 1809 and newer). The latest significant update, version 1.5, was released in February 2024.
Microsoft continues to work on enhancing the Photos app. A forthcoming feature is the capability for the app window to function within its own process, a change expected to further improve speed and efficiency.
Some users may notice slower startup times, with a ‘Getting things ready‘ message displayed for approximately 20 seconds before the app becomes fully operational. The “Legacy Photos” app remains available in the Microsoft Store, lacking newer generative AI features like generative erase and background remover. The updated Photos app will automatically roll out to users on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 in the upcoming weeks.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 7:51 pm CET
