Windows 11’s New AI Trick Organizes Your Photo Library Automatically
Microsoft is giving the Photos app in Windows 11 a smart upgrade. A new Auto-Categorization feature uses AI to sort your messy photo library into useful categories, making it easier to find what you need.
What’s New in Photos App
The Photos app already lets you browse images by name, date, or a quick search. But the new AI-powered option goes further by recognizing the type of image and putting it in a predefined category.
For now, these include:
- Screenshots
- Receipts
- Identity documents
- Notes
You’ll see these categories in the left-hand panel of the Photos app, so you can jump straight to the type of photo you want.
Smarter Recognition with AI
This feature isn’t just about English text. Microsoft’s AI can identify images regardless of the language. For example, a Hungarian passport will still show up under “Passport” even if the text isn’t in English.
How to Try It Now
To test Auto-Categorization, you’ll need two things:
- Windows Insider Build
- Join the free Windows Insider Program.
- Install the latest build on a spare PC or virtual machine so you don’t risk your main setup.
- A Copilot+ PC
- This is the catch: Auto-Categorization currently only works on Copilot+ PCs, which have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of handling advanced AI tasks (40 TOPs).
- Microsoft says these chips are required for AI features, though it’s also a way to promote Copilot+ hardware.
More AI in Microsoft Photos
This isn’t the first AI boost for Photos. Microsoft has been adding new tools, such as:
- AI eraser: remove people or objects.
- Background remover: change or delete backgrounds.
- Super resolution: upscale and sharpen images (also requires Copilot+).
Why It Matters
For anyone with thousands of screenshots, receipts, or scanned notes clogging up their photo collection, this feature could save time and reduce frustration.
But since it’s limited to Copilot+ PCs, most users won’t get it yet unless they upgrade hardware or run Insider builds.
