Windows 11, Photos App, Tips & Tricks

5 Handy Windows 11 Photos App Tips Every Connected Geek Should Know

Published at: 2026-05-29T09:30:00.000Z — Featured image: https://storage.googleapis.com/crm-conversations-ai-production/ask-ai-images/1778582941522/a688202c-5a00-41d7-8d2b-5804929949b1.png

The Windows 11 Photos app is one of those tools that quietly gets better with every update. It’s not just a place where your pictures land after you plug in your phone; it’s a surprisingly capable organiser, quick editor, and memory-maker rolled into one. If you’ve only ever used it to double‑click a photo and zoom in, you’re missing some genuinely useful features that can make your photo library feel less chaotic and a lot more fun to explore.

Below are five practical tips for getting more out of the Photos app in Windows 11. Each one comes with simple, step‑by‑step guidance, so you can try them straight away without hunting through menus or guessing what to click next.

1. Use Albums to Keep Photos Organised by Event or Topic

Albums are the easiest way to turn a messy camera roll into something that actually makes sense. Instead of scrolling endlessly to find that weekend trip or birthday party, you can group photos by event, project, or person and jump back to them in a click or two.

1. Open Photos from the Start menu or taskbar.
2. On the left sidebar, select Albums. If you don’t see the sidebar, expand the menu icon (three horizontal lines) first.
3. Click New album. A grid of your recent photos will appear.
4. Select the photos you want by clicking each thumbnail. Think in themes: “Summer Holiday 2025”, “DIY Projects”, “Pets”, or “Work Events”.
5. When you’re done, choose Create, then give your album a clear name so future‑you can find it easily.

Albums don’t duplicate photos; they simply reference them. That means you can safely create as many albums as you like without worrying about filling your drive with copies.

2. Try Background Blur for Portrait‑Style Shots (People Tab)

If you love that “portrait mode” look from modern phones, Windows 11’s Photos app can help you fake it on many of your existing shots. The Background Blur feature softens the area behind your subject, making people pop out from busy scenes. It’s especially handy for photos taken in cluttered rooms or crowded places.

1. In Photos, go to the People tab on the left. The app scans your collection and groups faces it recognises.
2. Click a person to see all photos that include them, then open any photo you’d like to enhance with a blurred background.
3. At the top, choose Edit, then look for the Background blur option (this may appear under adjustments or effects, depending on your version).
4. Photos will automatically detect the subject and blur the rest. Use the slider to adjust how strong the blur is, and fine‑tune the focus area if needed.
5. When you’re happy, click Save options and choose whether to overwrite the original or save a copy.

It’s a quick way to give casual snapshots a more polished, professional feel without diving into heavy‑duty editing software.

3. Create Memory Videos from Photo Collections (Video Editor Tab)

Still photos are great, but sometimes a short video montage tells the story better. The Photos app includes a simple Video Editor that lets you turn a folder or album into a shareable “memory video” with music, motion, and text — ideal for holidays, family events, or year‑in‑review recaps.

1. In the Photos app, look for the Video Editor tab or section (sometimes found under the three‑dot menu or “More”).
2. Click New video project and give it a name, like “Scotland Trip Highlights” or “2025 Family Moments”.
3. Use Add to bring in photos (and short clips, if you have them) from your PC, existing albums, or your collection in Photos.
4. Drag your chosen items onto the storyboard at the bottom, then reorder them into the sequence you like best by dragging and dropping.
5. Experiment with Theme, Music, and Motion options to automatically add transitions, zooms, and a soundtrack. You can also add titles or captions to individual slides.
6. When you’re ready, choose Finish video, pick a quality setting, and export. Your finished video saves as a standard file you can share or upload anywhere.

It’s surprisingly satisfying to watch a year’s worth of photos stitched into a quick highlight reel — and it only takes a few minutes to set up.

4. Revert Edits If Unsure — Edits Are Non‑Destructive Until You Save

One of the scariest things about editing photos is the fear of ruining a favourite shot. The good news: the Photos app is designed to be forgiving. Most edits are non‑destructive until you choose to save over the original, and even then you usually have a way back.

1. Open a photo and click Edit. Adjust brightness, crop, rotate, or apply filters as you like. Don’t be shy — this is your playground phase.
2. Before saving, look for Revert or Reset. Clicking this will discard all unsaved changes and take you back to the original look instantly.
3. If you do choose to save, many versions of Photos let you Save a copy instead. This keeps your original untouched and gives you an edited duplicate to share or print.

Knowing you can always revert takes the pressure off. You can experiment freely with colour, cropping, and effects without worrying that one click will permanently wreck the shot.

5. Press F5 for a Full‑Screen Slideshow from Any Folder

Sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy your photos without clicking through them one by one. The Photos app has a simple but underrated shortcut: with a single key press, you can turn any folder or album into a full‑screen slideshow.

1. In Photos, browse to the folder or album you want to view. You’ll see all the thumbnails laid out in a grid.
2. Click any photo to open it. This tells Photos where to start the slideshow.
3. Press F5 on your keyboard. The app switches to full‑screen mode and begins cycling through your images automatically.
4. Use the arrow keys to move forward or back manually, or just let the slideshow play. Press Esc to exit when you’re done.

This is perfect for showing holiday photos on a TV, revisiting an album at the end of the day, or simply turning your PC into a digital photo frame while you relax.

Bringing It All Together

With a few small habits — creating albums, trying background blur, building quick memory videos, editing without fear, and tapping F5 for an instant slideshow — the Windows 11 Photos app turns from a simple viewer into a genuinely helpful companion for your digital life. The best part is that none of these tips require advanced skills or extra software; they’re all built in and ready for you to explore right now.

Next time you plug in your phone or copy photos from a camera, spend a few extra minutes in Photos putting these ideas into practice. Future‑you will be very glad you did when you can find, enjoy, and share your favourite moments in just a couple of clicks.