In a substantial update, Windows Photos is undergoing significant enhancements, including content and text recognition within photos, along with support for motion photos captured on Google and Samsung devices.

Historically, Windows Photos served primarily as a photo viewer rather than an editing or manipulation tool. However, as Microsoft began focusing more on enhancing the application’s capabilities, it has evolved significantly.

With this latest update, Windows Insiders will gain access to a range of new features that elevate the built-in app to a whole new level, drawing inspiration from some of Google Photos’ most useful tools.

One standout feature is content search for photos stored on OneDrive. Users can now search for specific identifiers, such as locations or objects, making it effortless to locate particular photos. For instance, searching for “beach” will yield all images related to beach scenes. This search functionality extends to locations, making photo retrieval a breeze.

Another notable addition to the Windows Photos app is the support for motion photos taken on Samsung or Google devices. According to Windows’ press release, users can view the video portion of motion photos directly within the Photos app on Windows. The accompanying image shows a new motion button that can be toggled on or off.

Expanding beyond the Photos app, the Windows Snipping Tool is gaining a feature akin to Google Lens: text recognition. Users will now be able to identify and select text within photos, allowing for easy copying. Moreover, the Snipping Tool is doubling as a privacy tool, featuring an option to “Redact text” on images containing sensitive information, including emails and phone numbers.

All these exciting features will be available to members of the Windows Insiders program, bundled with build number 2023.11090.13001.0. For users outside the program, eager to access features like Windows text recognition, they may need to await the public release.