Microsoft has announced a new update to its Photos app, adding a quick image search feature. The update is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 users in the Insider program, with plans to reach Windows 10 users in the Beta and Release Preview channels. Once testing is complete, the update will be released to all users in the future.
The standout feature of this update is the ability to quickly search for images using Bing. When viewing an image in the Photos app, a Visual Search with Bing button will now appear at the bottom of the window. Clicking the button opens your default web browser and conducts an image search using Bing, displaying similar images and related products or content that might be of interest. For example, searching a fashion-related image could lead to suggestions for clothing items featured in the picture.
This update also brings another handy feature for Windows 10 users: iCloud photo syncing. A new iCloud Photos section in the sidebar prompts you to install iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID to sync your photos. (Windows 11 already supports this feature, so it’s only new for Windows 10.)
Other enhancements in this update include smoother navigation in the Gallery app, a background-running option for Photos, and a right-click feature in File Explorer to quickly edit images directly in the Photos app.