Microsoft Redesigns Windows 11 Photos App to Unify PC, OneDrive, and iCloud Libraries
Windows 11 Insiders began receiving a Photos app in October 2026 that combines PC, OneDrive, and iCloud photos and videos in one offline-capable gallery. The rebuilt editor launches 25% faster, while the viewer opens HEIC images up to 30% faster.
Microsoft has overhauled its Photos app for Windows 11, combining photos and videos from a user’s PC, OneDrive, and iCloud into a single gallery, alongside a rebuilt editor and an updated image viewer. The update began rolling out in October 2026 to Windows Insiders, with a full release for all Windows 11 users expected later in the year.
To use the combined gallery, users must enable Camera Backup in the OneDrive mobile app on iOS or Android and follow Apple’s setup guide for iCloud on Windows. Once configured, the unified library allows browsing by date, organizing and sharing albums, and searching for photos by description or by the people featured in them. Photos remain accessible offline, with Microsoft stating they will be available on-device even without an internet connection.
The Photos editor has been rebuilt from scratch, launching 25 percent faster than before. Tools are now organized into four categories: Crop, Enhance, Repair, and Stylize. The updated editor preserves HDR quality during editing and supports saving HEIC and WebP images without converting them from their original format.
The image viewer has also been updated with a cleaner layout and performance improvements. According to Microsoft, it launches 15 percent faster overall and opens HEIC images up to 30 percent faster. The app has also added support for SVG files.
The changes address a common friction point for Windows users who store photos across multiple services and devices. By consolidating these libraries in one place, the update may reduce the need to switch between separate apps or platforms to manage a photo collection.