Windows 11 Update Brings AI to Profile Picture Editing

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Canary build 26231 includes an AI-enhanced profile picture editor. This update, not prominently highlighted in the official release notes, brings new editing features to the “Your info” section under Settings.

New AI-Driven Editing Capabilities

Users can now not only capture a new photo or choose an existing one but also utilize AI effects like background blur and portrait lighting. Image upscaling and basic filters are now integrated, offering a more comprehensive editing experience for personalizing profile pictures.

To try the new editor, users can enable it through the ViVeTool app, a third-party utility designed to unlock hidden Windows 11 features. Prior to making changes, it is recommended to back up important data.

Addressing Bug Fixes and Issues

A bug affecting profile picture updates for offline accounts in Windows 10 and 11, known as error 0x80070502, has been partially fixed in Windows 11. The fix was identified by @phantomofearth on social media, although Windows 10 users still encounter the error.

The new profile picture editor was discovered by @phantomofearth within the Windows 11 Settings app. It offers features like background blur and resolution upscaling, with changes updating across the user's Microsoft account. Whether these features will be available for users with local accounts remains unclear.

Looks like a new profile picture editor experience is being added to Settings, letting you make changes like adding effects and filters to the image before applying it. (disabled by default, build 26231.)

vivetool /enable /id:45189370,47364920 pic.twitter.com/s3vYaIXJq9

— PhantomOcean3 🌳 (@PhantomOfEarth) June 6, 2024

Beta Channel Insiders can also activate the editor using the same ViVeTool command, hinting at a broader release. This step aligns with Microsoft's initiative to integrate advanced technology into Windows 11, enhancing user experience.

How to Install the Feature Using ViVeTool

Download and Extract ViveTool: Download ViveTool from GitHub and extract the files to a readily accessible folder on your computer.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press the Windows key and the X key simultaneously. From the menu, select “Terminal (Admin)”.
Switch to Command Prompt Profile: Within the Windows Terminal application, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 2 to activate the Command Prompt profile. Alternatively, click the down arrow button at the top of the window and select “Command Prompt”.
Navigate to ViveTool Directory: In the Command Prompt window, utilize the CD command followed by the path to your ViveTool folder. For example, if ViveTool is in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive.
Enable Hidden Feature: Type the following command exactly as shown in the Command Prompt and press Enter:

vivetool /enable /id:45189370,47364920

Restart Your Computer: After running the command, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Access Profile Picture Settings (Optional): Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Be aware that changing your profile picture in Windows 11 requires your system to be activated.